Building planet earth
Module Description
The overall aim of Building Planet Earth (ENVU1BP) is to introduce you to geology. In doing so, you’ll gain a unique insight into how the Earth formed over billions of years. You’ll be introduced to the physical and geological processes have produced the planet that we live on today.
Teaching will examine rock forming processes, plate tectonics, the evolution of life and the fossil record and geo-resources. Teaching materials will include cases studies of geological formations from across the planet and the module culminates in introducing you to the varied and interesting geology of Scotland.
This module will introduce you to field data collection and the skill of field observations, recording and interpreting field data. A series of practicals both in the laboratory and the field will build on skills including rock description using geological terms and interpretation of environmental change over geological time.
Location/Method of Study
Stirling/On Campus, UK
Stirling
Module Objectives
This topic will be explored using online learning materials, interactive learning exercises in lectures and through additional online resources.
Field work and laboratory work that explore rock formation will be used as a basis to support the ideas and concepts about the planetary scale realms eg biosphere and atmosphere presented online and in the lectures.
Learning around this topic will be introduced in the online materials as well as explored during interactive learning exercises during lectures. A laboratory practical session will use rocks and fossils in a case study to interpret the geological evidence as environmental change over time, develop skills in science communication and data recording and interpretation.
Learning around this topic will be introduced in the online materials as well as explored during interactive learning exercises during lectures. To support this learning and introduce skills such as observation and evidence collection, there will be a laboratory session that introduces the skills for rock description as hand specimen. Fieldwork then provides an opportunity to further develop these skills as well learn about interpretation of the rock record in geological time as well make links to the how geology shapes present day landscapes.
Geology can provide novel perspectives on sustainability here the Climate Action, Affordable Energy and Responsible Consumption SDG's are introduced during interactive lectures providing opportunities to discuss the topics as well as exploring actions that students can take for example around geo-resources and responsible consumption.
Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this Module.
Core Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
describe the inter-relationships between rock formation, landforms and the realms of the cryosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere;
outline environmental change at the geological time scale;
describe, using the correct geological terms, different rock types, the processes that form them and link these skills to the landscape scale;
analyse and interpret field based information;
produce concise scientific writing.
Introductory Reading and Preparatory Work
Recommended Course Text:
Marshak, S. 2022. Earth: Portrait of a Planet 7th Edition. W.W. Norton and Company. 929 pp.
Also
Grotzinger, J. & Jordan, T.H. 2014. Understanding Earth, 7th Edition. WH Freeman and Company
Huddart, D. and Stott T. 2010 Earth Environments; Past Present and Future. Wiley-Blackwell.
NatureScot have a whole series of free downloadable pdfs (published when they were SNH but available via the National Library for Scotland)on Scottish geology including:
"Landscape Fashioned by Geology - Scotland: The Creation of its Natural Landscape", published in 1999, authors Alan McKirdy and Roger Crofts is recommended reading for the final series of lectures on Scottish Geology.
Weblink:
https://search.nls.uk/primo-explore/collectionDiscovery?vid=44NLS_VU1&inst=44NLS&collectionId=81634245980004341&query=any,contains,a%20landscape%20fashioned%20by%20geology
There is a wealth of material relating to geology now available as popular literature and even as novels, so you can read about the subject from a range of different sources.
Delivery
Directed Study 20 hours Large group presentation or talk on a particular topic
Directed Study 6 hours A session involving the development and practical application of a particular skill or technique
Directed Study 4 hours Survey work, data collection, exploration, which may be supervised or unsupervised and may take place virtually
Directed Study 20 hours A meeting involving one-to-one or small group supervision, feedback or detailed discussion on a particular topic or project, online or in person
Directed Study 30 hours Preparation for scheduled sessions, follow up work, wider reading and practice, completion of assessment tasks, revision, accessing webinars and other materials available on demand
Total Study Time 200 hours
Attendance Requirements
Your engagement with learning materials and activities and attendance at scheduled live sessions and other events is extremely important. Full engagement in your studies will enable you to get the most out of the course and help you perform at your best when it comes to assessment.
We expect you to engage with all aspects of this module and with your programme of study. You should:
- Engage with all module materials, activities, and online timetabled teaching sessions
- Actively participate in discussions and practical activities
- Prepare in advance of live sessions by undertaking the required reading and/or other forms of preparation
- Submit coursework/assessments by the due time and date
- Complete class tests and examinations at the specified time and date
- Make your module co-ordinator aware at the earliest opportunity if you experience problems which may impact on your engagement
- Inform the University of absence from study (planned or unplanned), e.g. illness, emergency as outlined at http://www.stir.ac.uk/registry/studentinformation/absence
- Respond to e-mails from your personal tutor, module co-ordinator or programme director and attend meetings if requested.
- Engage with in-sessional English language classes (if applicable)
We will monitor these aspects throughout each semester to check that you are fully participating and that you are coping well with your studies. Some activities may be prescribed, failure to engage with 2/3 of prescribed activities will result in your module grade being capped at the pass mark (40 for Undergraduate modules, 50 for Postgraduate modules
Assessment
% of final
grade Learning
Outcomes
Lab Report 25 2,5,4,3
Essay 25 1,5,2
Class Test 50 1,5,4,2
Report 0
Coursework: 100%
MORE INFORMATION AT: https://portal.stir.ac.uk/calendar/calendar.jsp?modCode=ENVU1BP&_gl=1*19zibb9*_ga*MTY1OTcwNzEyMS4xNjkyMDM2NjY3*_ga_ENJQ0W7S1M*MTY5MjAzNjY2Ny4xLjEuMTY5MjAzNjg1NC4wLjAuMA..
Presential
TRUE
Building planet earth
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The statements made herein do not necessarily have the consent or agreement of the ASTRAIOS Consortium. These represent the opinion and findings of the author(s).
