| Unit name | Geodynamics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30080 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Tim Elliott |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of a Year 2 Earth Sciences programme. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
The Earth is a dynamic planet. Its topography, the geological record of the continents and structure of its interior is shaped by motion. The unit looks at the first order influences of plate tectonics and mantle convection in creating the distinctive features of the modern Earth and in controlling its evolution. The unit draws on geological, geophysical and geochemical information gained in previous years to apply on a planetary scale.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit builds on themes studied in Year 2 (components from Earth Deformation and Mineralogy and Petrology) to put these in a more global context. It integrates and applies basics techniques already learned to more complex environments, reinforcing and developing these skills. The lectures have a strong links to classic and recent literature, helping students to understand the evolution and acceptance of ‘big ideas’. It links well with Global Geophysics to provide a holistic view of the operation of our planet.
An overview of content
The unit will cover large scale tectonic processes including continental deformation, mountain building, basin formation and subduction.
There will also be a strong focus on melting processes at different tectonic locations and the information this provides on the near surface dynamics and composition of the interior.
The information gleaned about modern, near surface processes will be applied to understand the longer term record of the continental crust and the isotopic evolution of the mantle.
The material will be taught through a combination of lectures, classroom exercises and fieldwork.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will see how various threads of the programme tie together to yield a picture of how the Earth operates. Students will appreciate the value of the basic skills already taught and see how they can be applied to more complex problems. Students will both grasp some of the complexity of the dynamics of the planet, not least as illuminated in the scientific literature, but be able to step back and see the first order principles at work.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching will combine practicals and lectures. Guided, background reading will be provided. Fieldwork will be run to see aspects of the unit, as evident in outcrop.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Worked answers of all classroom exercises provided. Students strongly encouraged to use these and bring any remaining problems to subsequent Office Hours.
Weekly office hours sessions provided to address aspects of lectures, literature or worked examples (see above) not understood.
In the field component of this unit, feedback on field exercises will be provided
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Fieldwork is assessed through a number of activities conducted on site (50%)
There will be final exam testing the breadth of skills developed in the unit (50%)
When assessment does not go to plan
The University's Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EASC30080).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
