Earth as a Planet

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenor and tutor: Professor Gerald Roberts
• Assessment: a three-hour examination (100%)

This module introduces the subject of geology and gives an overview of the range of topics within the discipline of geology. It introduces fundamental concepts of how the Earth works as a planet, mainly concerned with the solid Earth, but also referring to ocean and atmospheric processes where necessary, and concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, natural hazards and physical geography that are used by geologists and planetary scientists. 

The module also introduces practical skills in geology such as mineral, rock and fossil identification and classification, use of a petrological microscope, interpretation of geological maps, successions, cross-sections and air/satellite photos. These practical skills will allow you to understand how geological processes are proposed as hypotheses, tested via observations and modelling, and used to inform society with regard to their significance to humans and the environment. Concepts in this module are brought together by showing how they fit into concepts of climate change, and the paradigm of plate tectonics which apply to planet Earth, and also how these processes differ on other planets and moons in our solar system.

Indicative module syllabus

• Introduction to the Earth and sub-disciplines within geology
• Earth structure
• Geological time
• Minerals and the main rock types
• Mineral optics and identification of rocks in hand-specimen and under the microscope
• Igneous rocks and igneous processes
• Sedimentary rocks and sedimentary processes
• Metamorphic rocks and metamorphic processes
• Structural geology
• Plate tectonics

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• understand how the Earth formed
• demonstrate familiarity with concepts in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, natural hazards and physical geography that are used by geologists and planetary scientists
• recognise and classify rock, mineral and fossil assemblages that characterise the Earth and in part other planets and moons in our solar system
• demonstrate practical skills used by geologists and planetary scientists
• show how geological understanding provides insights into processes on the Earth that contribute to the evolution of planets, climate change, natural hazards and formation of raw materials.