Resource and Exploration Geology

A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge

demonstrate understanding of:

1. structure and composition of the solid Earth (core, mantle, crust etc.), the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and the processes operating within and between them.

2. cycling of matter and flows of energy into, between and within these Earth system components.

3. present and past interactions between Earth system components and the effects on them of extra-terrestrial influences.

4. contribution of chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology to our understanding of Earth structure, materials and processes.

5. sustainability and social awareness in an Earth science context (e.g. renewable vs. non-renewable resources, climate change, biodiversity).

6. major geoscience paradigms (uniformitarianism, evolution of life as revealed in the fossil record, plate tectonics)

7. geological time, principles of stratigraphy and the stratigraphic column, dating techniques, rates of Earth processes and major events in Earth history, nomenclature and identification of fossils.

8. spatial scales, study of structures, materials and processes ranging from atoms to planets.

9. terminology, classification and identification of minerals and rocks.

10. terminology, nomenclature and identification of geological structures.

11. collection and documentation of geological information in the field, production and interpretation of geological maps.

12. surveying and measurement in field and laboratory contexts, using qualitative, quantitative and instrumental techniques.

13. exploration for, and development/exploitation of, Earth resources.

14. geological aspects of human impacts on the environment.

15. geohazards and their impacts on human societies.

16. need for multi-disciplinary approach in advancing understanding of Earth systems, contribution of geology to development of knowledge of our world.

17. applicability of earth sciences to the work environment.

18. awareness of prior research and data sources.

Learning & Teaching Activities

Material is introduced by lectures and directed reading / research and students are given very clear guidance in how to manage their learning. Understanding is developed and consolidated by laboratory work, private study exercises and, in particular, by field classes. Work is carried out individually and in groups with tutorial support and is both self-assessed and tutor marked to provide feedback. Field work and project work is used extensively to integrate material and make knowledge functional.

1, 2 and 3 are supported explicitly by the Dynamic Planet module during stage 1 and implicitly by several other modules throughout the programme.

4 is supported explicitly by the Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists and Earth and Environmental Chemistry modules in stage 1 and then developed by use in other modules throughout the programme.

5 and 6 are supported by the Dynamic Earth module in stage 1 and implicitly by several other 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage modules.

7 is supported by the Dynamic Planet and Earth History and Palaeontology modules and then developed in the Field Geology and Geological Maps and Geological Mapping Techniques modules.

8 is supported by stage 1 modules in Earth and Environmental Chemistry and Crystallography and Mineralogy and further developed in most stage 2 modules.

9 is supported explicitly by the Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones module in the 1st stage and then by Sedimentology and Stratigraphy and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology modules in stage 2; this skill is also implicitly supported and developed by the various Field Geology and Field Techniques modules throughout the three stages of the programme.

10 is introduced in the Dynamic Planet module and supported explicitly by the 2nd stage module in Structural Geology and Tectonics and implicitly supported and developed by the various Field Geology and Field Techniques modules throughout the three stages of the programme.

11 is explicitly supported by the stage 1 Field Geology and Geological Maps module, the stage 2 Geological Mapping Techniques, Structural Geology and Tectonics and Sedimentology modules and the stage 3 Applied Field Geology module and by other modules with field components (e.g., Geotechnics, Exploration Techniques).

The surveying aspects of 12 are supported explicitly by the 1st stage Surveying and Digital Mapping module and the survey course at the end of stage one (contributing to Geological Mapping Techniques). 12 is also explicitly supported by the laboratory techniques and microscope work undertaken in most of the stage 2 modules and implicitly by several other modules. 7 and 9-12 are further developed by the Summer Vacation Project at the end of stage 2.

13 is supported explicitly by stage 2 module in Geotechnics and stage 3 modules in Hydrogeology, Mineral Deposit Geology and Exploration Techniques.

14 is explicitly supported by the stage 3 Applied Field Geology module and implicitly by various modules throughout the programme.

15 is explicitly supported by the stage 2 Geotechnics module and stage 3 Applied Field Geology module and, implicitly, by various other modules. 13, 14 and 15 can be further developed according to the optional modules selected in stage 3.

16 is implicitly supported by a large number of the modules throughout the programme, as is 17.

17 is explicitly supported by the stage 3 Summer Vacation Project and further developed by a number of field classes to industrial locations.

18 is explicitly supported in the stage 3 Summer Vacation Project and implicitly by most modules throughout the programme.

Assessment Methods

Direct assessment is through a range of formal written examinations, both open and closed book, and marked coursework in the form of problem sheets, laboratory reports and reports based on directed reading/research.

Field work based modules are a major component of the overall programme assessment; their assessment is based on field notebooks, field slips, geological maps and associated reports. Project work is assessed through a combination of supervisor's report, self and peer assessment and formal assessment of final reports and presentations.

B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge

Intellectual skills – able to:

1. recognise and use subject-specific theories, paradigms and concepts.

2. critically analyse, synthesise and summarise information, including prior research.

3. collect and integrate lines of evidence to formulate/test hypotheses.

4. apply knowledge and understanding to address problems.

5. recognise the moral/ethical issues of investigations and appreciate the need for professional codes of conduct.

Practical skills – able to:

6. plan, conduct and report on investigations.

7. collect, record and analyse data using appropriate field and laboratory techniques.

8. work in a safe and responsible manner in field and laboratory.

9. reference work in an appropriate manner.

Learning & Teaching Activities

1-4 are integrated into most modules and developed steadily throughout the 3 stages; in particular, 2-4 are developed during stage 2 and 3 fieldwork and project based modules. 5 is developed by use in modules throughout the programme and specifically applied in the Summer Vacation Project

6-8 are introduced in a number of stage 1 modules and more fully developed in all of the stage 2 modules, where extensive field data collection and laboratory work is carried out as an integral part of the modules. 9 is developed throughout the three stages of the programme. 6-9 are an integral part of the fieldwork and project modules in stage 3.

Assessment Methods

Problem solving, analytical and synthesis skills are assessed within many modules through a range of formal written examinations, both open and closed book, and marked coursework. These skills are primarily shown, however, in project work and fieldwork modules in the stage 2 and 3, culminating in the Summer Vacation Project (assessed via written report and field documents, verbal presentation).

These practical skills are assessed in part through laboratory reports and logbooks throughout stages 1 and 2, but mainly through the fieldwork modules in stages 2 and 3 and the project modules in stage 3, where they are used extensively.

C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge

1. receive and respond to a variety of information styles (written, verbal and graphic) and communicate in these styles to different audiences, including use of the Internet.

2. appreciate issues of sample selection and data quality in the collection and use of geoscientific data.

3. manipulate, interpret and present data using appropriate techniques and packages.

4. solve numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques.

5. work in a team, identifying and recognising individual and collective opinions and roles and evaluating performance of all members.

6. develop self-managed and lifelong learning skills (target setting, time and project management, reflective practice).

7. develop a flexible approach to study and work.

Learning & Teaching Activities

1 and 3 are specifically introduced throughout the programme with regular verbal and written presentations of work. 2 is explicitly covered in stage 2 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Geotechnics and stage 3 Exploration Techniques modules as well as being implicitly developed in other modules. 3 and 4 are introduced in the 1st stage Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists module and further developed in a number of stage 3 modules (e.g. Surface Excavation Design, Exploration Techniques). 5 is developed through laboratory and group work in many modules, including fieldwork exercises.

6 and 7 are initially developed in the stage 1 with students being required to carry out regular reviews of their own progress, upon which they get formal feedback through the tutorial system. Further development occurs throughout the programme, particularly in the stage 3 Summer Vacation Project which requires a large element of independent study.

Assessment Methods

Assessment of key skills occurs throughout the entire programme, mostly through items of coursework in the form of written and oral presentations, field notebooks and maps, vivas and project reports.

1-4 are implicitly assessed in all modules and explicitly assessed in modules such as Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists, Field Geology and Geological Maps, Structural Geology and Tectonics, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. 5 is implicitly assessed in group work throughout the programme and explicitly in Geological Mapping Techniques (Summer Survey Course) and Applied Field Geology. 6 and 7 are implicit in much of all students' study but are explicitly tested in the stage 2 and 3 fieldwork and project modules. Flexible and distributed learning modules can be taken as options in stage 3.