ES5013 Evolution and dynamics of the silicate Earth

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

10.00 am Mon and Tue (lectures). 10.00 - 1.00 pm Wed or Fri (practicals)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr W Hutchison

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr N Gardiner, Dr W Hutchison, Dr P Savage and Prof R White

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The focus of this course is the geodynamic/tectonic evolution of the solid “hard rock” silicate Earth and the geochemical tools we use to fingerprint tectonic processes over the last 4.6 billion years. The silicate Earth primarily comprises igneous and metamorphic rocks that record in different ways the tectonic processes that shape them. This module will outline the different geological signatures from each of the Earth three main tectonic settings, plate rifting, subduction-accretion and continental collision both in the lab and in the field. The course will develop key skills in identifying rocks, interpreting geochemical data, and using geochemical and thermodynamic methods to unravel rock histories and geodynamic processes. Students will also be shown how these data can be used to understand any and all rocky bodies in the cosmos, from Earth to exoplanets.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS ES3009 AND PASS ES3008

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Oral Exam

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 hrs lecture per week (weeks 1-10), 3 x 3 hr practical class (weeks 8-10), 1-day field trip,

Scheduled learning hours

51

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

100

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.