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Book of Modules 2012/2013 |
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Earth Science |
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Students should note that all of the modules below may not be available to them. International visiting students should consult the International Education Office regarding selection of modules. Undergraduate students should refer to the relevant section of the UCC Undergraduate Calendar for their programme requirements. Postgraduate students should refer to the relevant section of the UCC Postgraduate Calendar for their programme requirements. |
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 2.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 80.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): GG1002, GL1001
Teaching Methods: 24 x 1hr(s) Lectures; 7 x 2hr(s) Practicals; Fieldwork (Field Course).
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Patrick Meere, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Patrick Meere, Department of Geology; Mr Raymond O'Connor, Department of Geography.
Module Objective: To teach the fundamental principles of applied Earth Systems Science.
Module Content: The Earth in Context - Living on a dynamic planet; earthquakes and volcanism as earth hazards; landslides; rivers and flooding; coastal hazards and sea-level change: Energy Resources Overview - Application of paleontology/stratigraphy to hydrocarbon exploration; application of geophysics/remote sensing to hydrocarbon exploration; geothermal systems as energy resources; solar/wind/wave energy: Mineral Resources - ore genesis; industrial minerals; glacial aggregate deposits; water resources/environmental geophysics; applications of structural geology to mineral exploration and extraction: Human/Environment Interactions - Principles and concepts in approaches to environmental management, sustainable development and resources use, landscape ecology and conservation; nature of people's interactions with the environment: Earth Science Today.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Understand the underlying geological causes of earth hazards including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslide and flooding.
· Understand the geological principles that are applied to the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon, metal and industrial mineral resources.
· Criticaly analyse the geological criteria that are used in selection of viable quarry sites.
· Identify and describe the basic geological structure in a field setting.
· Collect basic geological/geographical data in a field setting.
· Distinguish between natural and cultural landscapes.
· Understand why land-use models are useful in conceptualising landscape change.
· Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Environmental Impact Studies and the regulations that govern their genesis and structure.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: End of Year Written Examination 60 marks; Continuous Assessment 40 marks (Practical Examination 10 marks; Practical Reports 25 marks; Field Notebooks at end of field course 5 marks).
Compulsory Elements: End of Year Written Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s).
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by the Department).
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 2.
No. of Students: Min 6.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: 1 x 1day(s) Fieldwork; 18 x 1hr(s) Lectures (Evening); 1 x 2hr(s) Practicals (Evening).
Module Co-ordinator: Dr David (Ed) Jarvis, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Staff, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: To review the entire array of processes that shape the Earth's surface and to highlight their interactive nature.
Module Content: The Earth as a globally interactive system: the Earth's radiation balance, hydrological systems, global heat transfer, ocean-atmosphere interaction, ocean circulation, atmospheric circulation. Tectonic controls on surface topography: topography and bathymetry, plate dynamics and topography. Surface processes: weathering and erosion, soil-forming processes, fluvial processes, glacial processes, wind processes, coastal processes. Internal processes: volcanism, earthquakes. External processes: meteorite impacts.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Recognise the interactive nature of processes operating at the Earths surface.
· Evaluate the impacts of the various parameters contributing to the Earths heat balance.
· Describe the overall circulation patterns of the Earths oceans and atmosphere.
· Analyse the contributions of tectonics and erosive processes in producing the Earths surface and submarine topography.
· Define the characteristics of weathering processes and their relationship to soil formation.
· Assess the importance of the various surface erosional/transport/deposition processes at the Earths surface and the environments and geomorphological forms produced.
· Discuss the characteristics of earthquake, volcanic and meteoritic hazards and the types of damage caused.
· Analyse field settings in terms of the surface processes which have controlled their formation.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: End of Year Written Examination 50 marks; Continuous Assessment 50 marks (In-term practical assessment 10 marks; MCQ 20 marks; Field Report 20 marks).
Compulsory Elements: End of Year Written Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s).
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s) to be taken in Autumn. The mark for Continuous Assessment is carried forward (MCQ), Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by the module coordinator).
ER2001 Environmental Earth Science
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 1.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 80.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: 24 x 1hr(s) Lectures.
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: To teach the fundamentals of Environmental Earth Science.
Module Content: Natural hazards - prediction and risk assessment, volcanic hazards, earthquake hazards, mass movements and tsunamis; glacial and periglacial hazards; Earth resource extraction and impact; aggregates, ores, hydrocarbons, coals; renewable energy, geothermal energy, environmental aspects of water supply; waste management and pollution; geology and health.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Define the term geohazard
· List the common geohazards
· Describe and discuss the fundamentals of geohazards and their impacts on society,
· Explain the range of earth resources that underpin our society and the environmental impacts associated with their utilisation.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: End of Year Written Examination 50 marks; Continuous Assessment 50 marks (5 x multiple choice examinations; 10 marks each).
Compulsory Elements: End of Year Written Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s).
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s) to be taken in Autumn. Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by the Department).
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 2.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 20.
Pre-requisite(s): GG1002 or equivalent
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: Fieldwork (7 x 1 day Field Days (Easter)).
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology; Staff, School of BEES.
Module Objective: To teach geographical, geological and wider earth-environmental field techniques.
Module Content: The following topics will be covered at an advanced level: physical geography and geological mapping and terrain analysis techniques, geological map interpretation, and sedimentary rocks logging and interpretation, field survey and GPS, slopes analysis and linked process geomorphological techniques (e.g. of glaciated, river-humid, coastal environments), Quaternary sedimentary evaluation and palaeoenvironmental interpretation.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Understand the key concepts and understanding of Earth Science, Physical Geography and other related areas of environmental sciences
· Examine and collect earth, geographical and geological field data
· Use and understand a range of related field techniques
· Understand the importance of field-based research in studying environmental components and processes
· Produce a detailed written report and analysis of field data.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: Continuous Assessment 100 marks (Geology: Map Report at end of field course 30 marks; Logging Report at end of field course 10 marks; Field Notebook at end of field course 10 marks; Geography: Field Report at end of field course 40 marks; Field Notebook at end of field course 10 marks).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: No End of Year Written Examination.
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by BEES).
ER3003 Earth, Air and Water Interactions
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 1.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 40.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: 20 x 1hr(s) Lectures; 5 x 2hr(s) Practicals; Other.
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: Examination of the environmental processes and operations linking the oceans to atmospheric and lithospheric environments. To teach the fundaments of oceanography.
Module Content: The study of the mass and energy exchanges operating in the primary Earth systems of the oceans, atmosphere and lithosphere. The module includes - treatment of ocean surface movements (e.g. waves, surges, tides, currents) and circulation, together with the links to atmospheric functioning; ocean water and geochemical cycles, sediment flows; ocean water composition and properties; ocean basin formation and links to the lithosphere - geomorphological processes of the continental margins.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Define fundamental terms used in oceanography
· Relate ocean functioning to atmospheric and lithospheric processes.
· Explain processes operating in our oceans and interactions with the atmosphere and lithosphere
· Analyse practical problems in basic oceanography.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: End of Year Written Examination 60 marks; Continuous Assessment 40 marks (5 x 2hr Practical reports).
Compulsory Elements: End of Year Written Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s).
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s) to be taken in Autumn. Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by the Department).
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Period 2.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 15.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: Fieldwork (6 Field Days).
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: To teach the fundamentals of Earth Science fieldwork.
Module Content: To examine and interpret the geology of an area in Ireland, to learn the techniques of sedimentary logging and mapping. To examine the physical geographical processes seen in this area and to understand the interplay between the geology and the geography.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Recognise the structural and sedimentological linkage with landscape.
· Understand the controls of sea-level and climate of the development of sedimentary successions
· Discuss the impact Quaternary and anthropogenic processes on landscape development
· Demonstrate skills in selected field observation and measurement techniques.
· Test simple theoretical models of environmental processes.
· Evaluate the impacts, opportunities and constraints for utilizing earth resources.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: Continuous Assessment 100 marks (Report 50 marks; Notebook and Maps 50 marks).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: No End of Year Written Examination.
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by BEES.).
Credit Weighting: 15
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Periods 1 and 2. (Summer after Third University Examination, and Periods 1 and 2 of Fourth Year).
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 14.
Pre-requisite(s): None
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: Other (6-8 weeks Field and/or Laboratory-based Research Project).
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Staff, Department of Geography; Staff, Department of Geology; Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: To undertake an independent research project.
Module Content: An independent research project involving fieldwork and/or laboratory work on an applied topic in Ireland or abroad. The fieldwork is carried out during the summer of Third Year together with some of the laboratory research work, when applicable. A 10,000 word, typed and hard cover bound report is written during the Fourth Year and is submitted prior to the last day of Teaching Period 2.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Plan and design a research project under supervision.
· Formulate a research question
· Use available databases
· Record appropriate field data
· Analyse data collected in order to establish relationship and patterns
· Write a report of the research project, including the conclusions drawn from the data.
Assessment: Total Marks 300: Continuous Assessment 300 marks (Project Aims and Procedures Document 15 marks; Project Interim Presentation 15 marks; Supervisors Report 15 marks; in class test 45 marks;1 x 10,000 word Research Project to be submitted during Teaching Period 2, 210 marks).
Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40% . In addition students must achieve a Pass judgement in their Continuous Assessment (Project Aims and Procedures Document; Project Interim Presentation; Supervisors Report; in class test;1 x 10,000 word Research Project) independently. For students who do not satisfy this requirement, the lower of the two marks, calculated as a percentage of the total mark for the module, will be returned. For students who do not acheive a Pass judgement in both the Continuous Assessment and the End of Year Written Examination, the total mark will be returned.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: No End of Year Written Examination.
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (Students must revise and re-submit research project for evaluation by mid-August as prescribed by both Departments.).
ER4003 Oceans Past and Present
Credit Weighting: 5
Teaching Period(s): Teaching Periods 1 and 2.
No. of Students: Min 6, Max 45.
Pre-requisite(s): ER3003
Co-requisite(s): None
Teaching Methods: 2day(s) Fieldwork; 18 x 1hr(s) Lectures; 4 x 2hr(s) Workshops.
Module Co-ordinator: Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Lecturer(s): Dr Andrew Wheeler, Department of Geology.
Module Objective: To provide an advanced study of ocean environments and functioning.
Module Content: The module is developed through a study of special topics providing practical instruction in the study of ocean circulation, chemical oceanography, sedimentary processes, marine technologies and marine geophysics.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
· Describe and discuss state-of-the-art concepts in marine science
· Question and debate concepts in marine science
· Collect and analyse marine data
· Report conclusions and implications of a project in the form of an aural presentation and a written report.
Assessment: Total Marks 100: End of Year Written Examination 50 marks; Continuous Assessment 50 marks (6 In Class Assessments).
Compulsory Elements: End of Year Written Examination; Continuous Assessment.
Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.): Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
Pass Standard and any Special Requirements for Passing Module: 40%.
End of Year Written Examination Profile: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s).
Requirements for Supplemental Examination: 1 x 1½ hr(s) paper(s) to be taken in Autumn. Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated (as prescribed by the Department).