| Unit name | Environmental Hydrogeology and Geoenergy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30087 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Verdon |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of Years 1 and 2 of the Environmental Geosciences programme. Students on other Earth Sciences programmes will be expected to undertake some preparatory work before the unit commences. You should speak to the unit director for guidance before being registered on the unit. |
| 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?
Subsurface fluids play an essential role in geological processes, including mobilisation, transport, and accumulation of solutes and heat. Topographic, tectonic, compactional, erosional and buoyancy forces drive flow of these fluids, controlled by the distribution of permeability. These fluid flow systems determine the evolution of geological resources, including groundwater, hydrothermal minerals, geothermal resources and hydrocarbons. Moreover, they influence mitigation of human impacts on the environment, from groundwater contamination to subsurface storage of CO2 and hydrogen.
The unit develops a phenomenological and quantitative understanding of fluid flow, how this transports heat and solutes, and geological factors influencing these processes. We show how geophysical and other data can be used to develop images of fluid and rock properties. Such understanding forms the basis for a broad range of real-world applications, adopting a problem-based approach to learning, introducing real-world case studies, datasets, and challenges, including two day-long field courses relevant to groundwater and geo-energy applications.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on knowledge from previous units on sedimentology, geophysics, and geochemistry, to develop an understanding of the distribution and flow of fluids in the subsurface and how they interact physically and chemically with geological formations. We apply this to a range of important applications from groundwater resources to subsurface storage and energy, many of which represent important career pathways in the geosciences.
An overview of content
The unit provides an understanding of the physical theories underpinning fluid flow and heat and solute transport through geological materials. We examine how sedimentary/diagenetic/tectonic geo-bodies can be mapped using geophysical techniques, and how they affect the distribution of fluid flow, heat and solutes. We will apply this knowledge to development and management of groundwater resources, geo-energy, and geo-storage.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Armed with a state-of-the-art understanding of this trans-disciplinary topic, you will know how fluid, heat and solutes flow below ground, and how this is influenced by geology. This knowledge is foundational for a range of important applications, including groundwater resources, geo-energy and geo-storage industries. Familiarity with some of the major challenges in these industries and experience in applying your knowledge and skills to real-world problems will mean you are well-placed to work in these key sectors.
Learning Outcomes
After completing this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will combine practicals, lectures and field days. Practicals will consolidate lecture material and provide inquiry- and problem-based exercises, with some applied content. Guided background reading will also be provided.
A key aspect of this unit is the application of fundamental theory to real-world challenges. Many of the lectures will focus on real-world case studies, and the practicals will mainly work with real datasets and problems (many relating to the fieldwork undertaken) that are relevant to hydrogeological and geoenergy applications.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
The unit includes a weekly practical class, where you will complete an assortment of exercises, spanning theoretical work and analysis of datasets. The unit includes two compulsory sets of fieldwork (which are examinable), where you will also collect data that will be used in the practical classes.
Feedback on practical classes will be provided at the end of each class and by provision of worked solutions for the practical exercises. Feedback on the fieldwork will also be provided during the practical sessions. After the talks staff will provide formative feedback , including from your peers, with a focus on most effective elements and ways to improve skills at oral presentation.
We will also provide homework exercises with worked solutions and targeted reading material to reinforce learning.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
You will sit an end-of-unit, timed examination, comprising a mix of data analysis and interpretation, calculation and essay-style question types based on lecture, practical and fieldwork material (75% of unit mark).
Working in small groups, you will choose a relevant scientific question, then research and prepare a scientific presentation. Your talk will be assessed based on quality of both presentation and research (25% of unit mark).
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. EASC30087).
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.
