Study information

Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEIgneous and Metamorphic Petrology CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODECSM2312 MODULE CONVENERDr Kathryn Moore (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 10 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Igneous and metamorphic rocks are the products of volcanoes and processes that take place deep within our Earth. This course will teach you about volcanoes, about how magmas are produced in the Earth’s mantle and crust, and about how heat and pressure change rocks and form a record of Earth history. Students learn about the most common techniques used to study these rocks including how to use field evidence, mineral assemblages, mineral textures and relationships observed under the optical microscope. The module will help you to develop an understanding of the theoretical frameworks used to interpret observations of minerals and rocks, and the methods used to interpret mineral assemblage and major, trace element and isotope geochemistry.
 
You will find the course difficult unless you have attended the first level Geology and Crystallography and Mineralogy modules, which are formal pre-requisites. It is important that you know the rock-forming minerals, their composition and identify characteristics at the outset of the module.
 
This module is suitable for students with some prior knowledge of geology, crystallography and mineralogy. Visiting students with an appropriate background may choose to attend either semester, with an igneous petrology focus in Semester 1 and a metamorphic focus in Semester 2. The module may also be taken by joint honours students, with an appropriate background. 
 

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The module introduces you to igneous and metamorphic processes and their plate tectonic context. The module develops the skills that will enable you to describe, identify and classify igneous and metamorphic rocks. You will also develop the concepts underpinning modelling of natural systems.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 Understand igneous and metamorphic processes and their related mineralogical and geochemical variations; 
2 Identify, describe and classify igneous and metamorphic rocks; 
3 Interpret field structures, textures and mineral assemblages;
4 Synthesise and interpret compositional variations of igneous and metamorphic rocks;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 
5 Appreciate deep processes in the lithosphere and asthenosphere that affect the nature of rocks observed at the surface of the Earth;
6 Demonstrate an ability to apply conceptual and modelling frameworks to problems by lateral thought processes;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
7 Demonstrate personal observational, descriptive and numerical skills, along with self- and time-management skills.
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Igneous petrology :
- Present-day igneous activity;¨
- Melting and crystallisation processes;
- Magmatic differentiation;
- Binary and ternary phase diagrams in igneous petrology;
- Major and trace elements in igneous processes;
- Magma source regions and magma migration;
- Suites of magmatic rocks;
- Styles of volcanism and emplacement;
- Characteristic mineral assemblages and classification of igneous rocks;
- Origin of basalts, andesites, granites, alkaline rocks, and carbonatites;
- Cumulate rocks;
 
Metamorphic Petrology:
- Controls of metamorphism and metamorphic processes;
- Definitions and main settings of metamorphism;
- Metamorphic facies;
- Metamorphic equilibrium and phase diagrams;
- Metamorphic textures;
- Interrelations between metamorphism and deformation;
- Compositional groups;
- Characteristic mineral assemblages of metapelites, metabasites, and metacarbonates in low-, medium- and high-pressure facies series;
 
Practical Skills:
- Identification, description and interpretation of igneous and metamorphic textures and mineral assemblages in field, hand specimen, and thin section; 
- Uses of phase diagrams, and major and trace elements in petrological studies.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 86 Guided Independent Study 214 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 27 Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 34 Lab Sessions
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities 25 Fieldwork
Guided Independent Study 214 Private Study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Practicals 2 hour duration each week 1-6 Verbal summary and model solutions in the following session. Principles covered in lectures reinforced in practicals.

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 30 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Theoretical Examination 1 25 1 hour 15 Minutes 1, 2, 4, 5 Exam mark
Theoretical Examination 2 25 1 hour 15 Minutes 1, 2, 4, 5 Exam mark
Online Quizzes (Igneous) 10 1 hour 1-5 Online
Igneous Practical Examination 20 2 hours 2-4, 6 Written
Final Report 20 6 hours 2-4, 6 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Online Quizzes Original Assessment (10%) As Above August Ref/Def period
Summative Assessment See below As Above August Ref/Def period
Examination Additional Examination for 1 and/or 2 above (25% each) (see below) As Above August Ref/Def period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

As above, one to four pieces of Coursework (up to 50%), and/or one to two Exams (25% each). 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic Reading:

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Frost, B. R., Frost, C. D. Essentials of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology 2nd Cambridge University Press 2019 978-1-108-48251-6
Set Hall, A. Igneous Petrology Prentice Hall 1996 0582230802
Set MacKenzie, W.S., Donaldson, C.H. and Guilford, C. Atlas of Igneous Rocks and Their Textures Longman 1982 0582300827
Set Rollinson, H.R. Using Geochemical Data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation Longman 1993 0582067014
Set Winter, J.D. Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Pearson Education 2010 0321592573
Set Yardley, B.W.D. An Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology Longman 1989 0582300967
Set Yardley, B.W.D., MacKenzie, W.S. and Guilford, C. Atlas of Metamorphic Rocks and Their Textures Longman 1990 0582301661
CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 15
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES CSM1030, CSM1031
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 5 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 11th January 2017 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 19th May 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH Igneous; Metamorphic; Rocks; Geochemistry; Phase Relations; Earth Science; Geology

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.