Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module GELG1037: Understanding Earth Sciences 2
Department: Global Wuhan
GELG1037: Understanding Earth Sciences 2
| Type | Tied | Level | 1 | Credits | 10 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Other |
|---|
| Tied to | F652 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | F668 |
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- Understanding Earth Sciences 2 gives an overview of how the Earth works and has evolved since its formation. It covers geological deep time on timescales of millions to billions of years, and includes the principles of Uniformitarianism.
- Aims:
- Introduce the following fundamental subject areas within Earth Sciences: Stratigraphy, Geochronology, Sedimentology and Palaeontology
- Introduce a systems approach to thinking about Earth features
- Show how Earth Sciences understanding for individuals, and a community, is derived from research processes
Content
- Sedimentology: processes of erosion, sediment transport and deposition
- Principles of stratigraphy
- Introduction to geochronology
- Main sedimentary rock associations
- Principles of sedimentology (logging, facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy etc.)
- Sedimentology related to climate, tectonics and evolution
- Palaeontology: understanding fossils and evolution
- Palaeontology related to tectonic and climatic drivers
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Sedimentology: processes of erosion, sediment transport and deposition. Main sedimentary rock associations. Principles of sedimentology (logging, facies analysis, sequence stratigraphy etc.). Relationships to climate, tectonics and evolution
- Stratigraphy and geochronology: understanding of stratigraphic principles and methods for dating geological events
- Palaeontology: understanding fossils and evolution. Relationships to tectonic and climatic drivers
Subject-specific Skills:
- Understanding of research methodologies in Earth Sciences, and an appreciation of the specific research foci in Durham Earth Sciences
Key Skills:
- Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data sets
- Inter-relation of different branches of science
- Writing skills
- Identifying and avoiding plagiarism
- Use and misuse of generative AI
- Finding, accessing and citing scientific literature
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- This module will be delivered through lectures with integrated practical components. Practical components will expand on concepts introduced in lectures and provide hands-on experience with geological materials and analytical techniques.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 40 | 8 per week | 1 hour | 40 | Yes ■ |
| Self-Directed Study | 60 | ||||
| Total | 100 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Practical assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Practical | 2 hours | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
Opportunities for discussion and feedback are provided during the practical components of the lectures.
■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.