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Full Year

Evolution of the Modern Earth and Cyprus Excursion for Geology and Physical Geography (EASC10120)

Subject

Earth Science

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

Evolution of the modern earth from Recent back to Palaeozoic time, with emphasis on continental margins and ocean basins, supported by a field trip the classic geology of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean region (if conditions allow).

Course Description

The course during semester 2 consists of three closely related and integrated parts, which build on information given in previous courses. The lectures are planned to be live in the lecture theatre.Part 1 Thematic lectures. This consists of a series of c. 14 thematic, process-orientated lectures related to the evolution of the earth, mostly during Palaeozoic to Recent time. The course will integrate information from a wide range of subjects including sedimentology, tectonics and magmatism. The lectures will particularly consider fundamental processes related to the evolution of continents and ocean basins on a global basis, making extensive use of the results of academic ocean drilling and classic areas of on-land geology. The lectures will explain well researched fundamental processes (lectures 1-10) and will also exemplify development and testing of alternative hypotheses (lectures 11-14).Part 2 Fundamental principles will be illustrated with specific geological case histories related to the thematic lectures (Part 1). These sessions will also constitute the discussion and feedback for the course. There will also be up to seven preparatory lectures/discussion sessions on the geology of Cyprus and other related information. You will also study c. up to 30 thin sections of key rock types from Cyprus and make summary descriptions of some of these for reference in the field.Part 3 Cyprus field excursion for 2 weeks in April (compulsory). The fieldtrip will include two days dedicated to GPG topics. The dates will be advised when confirmed but it is likely that we will leave soon after block 4 teaching ends. Assessments. 1) A two-page extended abstract of a paper related to Cyprus geology (chosen by yourself from a list of suitable papers), followed by a two-page synopsis of a related aspect of Cyprus geology that you studied in the field. This will be assessed together with the extended abstract submitted in semester 1; 2. Your field notebook after the field excursion. Anyone unable to go to Cyprus will prepare and submit an essay on Cyprus geology that will replace the extended abstracts and the field notebook assessment; 3. Degree exam in May concerning Part 1 (synoptic lectures).Coursework: 25% Exam (2 hour): 75%***Field course locations may change for a variety of reasons, including security risks, increased costs or inability to access field locations. Any changes to the main destination of the field course will be announced as soon as possible.***

Assessment Information

Written Exam 75%, Coursework 25%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Written Exam 75 %, Coursework 25 %, Practical Exam 0 %Coursework: 25%Exam: 75%Coursework:1. Extended abstract related to paper (5%) and post-excursion two page summary of chosen topic -5% i.e. total 10%3. Cyprus notebook, including thin section petrographic summaries-15%Assessment deadlines. Pre-excursion abstract - SEM 2 12:00 noon Thursday week 11Post-excursion abstract - SEM 2 12:00 noon Monday week 15Notebook Hand in: Semester 2 May Diet (soon after the degree exam)Written Exam: Semester 2 May Exam Diet

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