The University of Edinburgh School of GeoSciences BSc / MEarthPhys Geophysics BSc / MEarthPhys Geophysics and Geology BSc / MEarthPhys Geophysics and Meteorology Years 1 and 2 – Pre-honours 2016/17 Course Information Contents Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Geophysics degrees: Year 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Degree changes at the end of Year 1………………………………………………………..................................................................3 Changes from one geophysics degree to another…………………………………………………………………………………………………..3 Change to Geology, GPG or Environmental GeoSciences…………………………………………………………………………………….….3 Changes to Physics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......4 Geophysics degrees: Year 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Suggested optional courses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…4 Changes of degree during the year………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….5 Course summary………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..5 Key Dates……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Compulsory Course Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 EASC08001 Earth Dynamics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…8 EASC08008 Introduction to Geophysics……………………………………………………………………………………………………….13 EASC08016 Physics of the Earth…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..16 EASC08017 Introduction to the Geological Record………………………………………………………………………………………17 EASC08020 Global Tectonics and the Rock Cycle…………………………………………………………………………………………21 EASC08021 Geomaterials…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24 METE08001 Meteorology: Atmosphere and Environment……………………………………………………………………………28 METE08002 Meteorology: Weather and Climate………………………………………………………………………………………….30 PHYS08016 Physics 1A: Foundations………………………………………………………………………………..............................31 PHYS08017 Physics 1B: The Stuff of the Universe……………………………………………………………………………..…………34 PHYS08035 Mathematics for Physics 1………………………………………………………………………………………………………..37 PHYS08036 Mathematics for Physics 2………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….40 PHYS08042 Linear Algebra and Several Variable Calculus…………………………………………………………………………….41 PHYS08043 Dynamics and Vector Calculus…………………………………………………………………………………………………..43 PHYS08045 Modern Physics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...44 Geophysics (BSc Hons) (UTGEOPY) / Geophysics (MEarthPhys) (UTMEPGEOPH1F)………………………………….……….46 Geophysics and Geology (BSc Hons) (UTGEOGEO) / Geophysics and Geology (MEarthPhys) (UTMEPGEOGE1F)48 Geophysics and Meteorology (BSc Hons) (UTGEOME) / Geophysics and Meteorology (MEarthPhys) (UTMEPGEOME1F)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………50 Additional information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………50 Project talks...........................................................................................................................................................50 Useful links……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………51 Introduction This handbook describes the courses taught in the first two years (the pre-honours years) of the Geophysics degrees at the University of Edinburgh. Many of the courses are common to other Earth Science-related degree programmes. A synopsis of each individual course is given in this handbook. This handbook also includes details of timetables for each course, the number of credits you are expected to achieve in the pre-honours years of your degree programme and details of learning outcomes for each course. The details contained in the handbook are correct at the time of publishing. Dr Hugh Pumphrey Degree Programme Convenor Geophysics degrees. Geophysics degrees: Year 1 There are three different variants of the geophysics degree at Edinburgh: Geophysics (single subject) Geophysics and Meteorology Geophysics and Geology The first year is the same for all three variants, with each semester consisting of one mathematics course, one physics course and one Earth science course. There are no options in the first year; this is because you need to learn the same mathematics and physics as a Physics undergraduate, but you also need to learn some Earth science. The courses you will take are: Earth science courses Physics courses Maths courses Semester 1 EASC08001 PHYS08016 Physics 1A PHYS08035 Earth Dynamics Maths for Physics 1 Semester 2 EASC08008 PHYS08017 Physics 1B PHYS08036 Introduction to Geophysics Maths for Physics 2 Degree changes at the end of Year 1 Although there is no flexibility of course choices within year 1, there is a considerable amount of flexibility of degree programme at the end of it. Any change of degree programme must be done between academic years (the deadline is in week 2 of the first semester – Friday 30th September). Changes of degree within the School require the permission of the degree programme convenor of the degree to which you are changing. Changes of degree outwith the School require permission from the College of Science and Engineering. Changes from one geophysics degree to another. As the first year is common to all three geophysics variants there are no barriers to changing between them before the start of the second year. Change to Geology, GPG or Environmental GeoSciences These changes are straightforward at the end of the first year but require permission from the relevant degree programme convenor. Changes to Physics The first year of the geophysics degrees is compatible with the first year of most (if not all) physics degrees. If you get good enough grades in the first-year maths and physics courses then this change is possible but requires consent from the School of Physics and Astronomy and from the College of Science and Engineering Geophysics degrees: Year 2 In the second year the three geophysics degrees diverge considerably from each other. There are common mathematics and physics courses in semester 1, but geophysics and meteorology students have a compulsory meteorology course. Geophysics and geology students have a compulsory geology course. All variants have one optional course and the single-subject degree has two. In semester 2, all geophysics students take Physics of the Earth but the rest of the programme includes further specialisations for the three variants. The courses taken are as follows: Geophysics Geophysics and Geophysics and Geology Meteorology Semester 1 PHYS08045 Modern Physics PHYS08045 Modern Physics PHYS08045 Modern Physics PHYS08042 Lin Alg + SVC PHYS08042 Lin Alg + SVC PHYS08042 Lin Alg + SVC 2 optional Courses METE08001 Met: Atm+Env EASC08014 Geomaterials 1 optional course 1 optional course Semester 2 EASC08016 Physics of the EASC08016 Physics of the EASC08016 Physics of the Earth Earth Earth EASC08020 Global Tectonics PHYS08043 Dynamics and EASC08019 Global Tect + Rock & The Rock Cycle Vector Calc. Cyc. PHYS08043 Dynamics and METE08002 EASC08017 Introduction to the Vector Calculus Met:Weath+Clim Geol. Record Note that PHYS08045 and PHYS08042 are worth 10 credits each. All other courses are worth 20 credits. Geophysics degrees: Direct entry into year 2 It is possible for students to enter the second year directly from School, if their grades are good enough. Typically, we require AAA at advanced higher, A*AA at A-level, and a similar level of performance in other qualifications, and/or an excellent score in the diagnostic maths test. Semester 2 is identical for direct entry students and those who went through the first year. Semester 1 for direct entry students is as follows: Geophysics Geophysics and Geophysics and Geology Meteorology Semester 1 EASC08022 Earth Science EASC08022 Earth Science EASC08022 Earth Science Fundamentals for Fundamentals for Fundamentals for Geophysicists Geophysicists Geophysicists PHYS08041 Algebra and PHYS08041 Algebra and PHYS08041 Algebra and Calculus Calculus Calculus PHYS08055 Classical Physics PHYS08055 Classical Physics PHYS08055 Classical Physics 1 optional Courses METE08001 Met: Atm+Env EASC08014 Geomaterials Students entering the second year of the geophysics degree from the first year of a different degree may be required to follow a variant of this schedule, depending on the courses taken in their first year. Suggested optional courses Your optional course (or courses) can be any level 8 course run by any school within the University (apart from Medicine or Vet. Medicine). However, your choice is restricted by timetable clashes and by the fact that some courses may only be able to accept limited numbers of students. And you may wish to solidify your Earth sciences / Physics education by choosing courses in those areas. Courses which appear to work in this year’s timetable include:  METE08001 Meteorology: Atmosphere and Environment (Geophysics and Meteorology students have to take this)  EASC08014 Geomaterials (Geophysics and Geology students have to take this)  PHYS08039 Discovering Astronomy OR PHYS08051 Astrobiology (these clash with each other. For Single subject and +Meteorology only as these courses clash with Geomaterials)  PHYS08021 Musical Acoustics (Clashes with Geomaterials)  INFR08022 Computer Programming Skills and Concepts (Lecture clash with Geomaterials)  GEGR08007 Human Geography  ARCA08004 Archaeology 1A  GEGR08001 Environmental Sensitivity and Change  BILG08001 Origin and Diversity of Life (Courses which sadly have a clash with your compulsory subjects include EASC08011 Natural Hazards, EASC08023 Evolution of the Living Earth and ECSC08006 Principles of Ecology.) Some of the courses listed above may not be accessible to single- subject geophysics students entering the second year directly from School. Changes of degree during the year You may not make a formal change of degree during the year. However, if you make the right course choices you may decide at Christmas to change degree, register for the right courses for the degree you are changing to in semester 2, and then make the formal change of degree at the end of year 2.  If you choose METE08001 Meteorology: Atmosphere and Environment, you may make the decision to change to Geophysics and Meteorology at the end of semester 1.  If you choose EASC08014 Geomaterials you may make the decision to change to Geophysics and Geology at the end of semester 1  You may change from either of the joint degrees to the single-subject geophysics degree at the end of semester 1 Any other change of degree made at the end of the second year will almost certainly require that you take an extra pre- honours year. Course summary The table below contains brief details of each course in the Geophysics degree programme tables. Further details of each course are found later in this guide. Compulsory courses Course Code Course Title Course Organiser Course Secretary Year Semester Credits EASC08001 Earth Dynamics Dr Cees-Jan De Hoog Ms. Nikki Muir 1 1 20 EASC08008 Introduction to Geophysics Prof Wyn Williams Ms. Nikki Muir 1 2 20 PHYS08016 Physics 1A: Foundations Dr Ross Galloway Miss Rhona 1 1 20 Johnson PHYS08017 Physics 1B: The Stuff of the Universe Dr Ross Galloway Miss Rhona 1 2 20 Johnson PHYS08035 Mathematics for Physics 1 Dr Kristel Torokoff Miss Rhona 1 1 20 Johnson PHYS08036 Mathematics for Physics 2 Dr Kristel Torokoff Miss Rhona 1 1 20 Johnson EASC08016 Physics of the Earth Dr Mark Naylor Ms. Nikki Muir 2 1 20 EASC08020§ Global Tectonics and the Rock Cycle Jennifer Tait Ms. Nikki Muir 2 2 20 PHYS08043** Dynamics and Vector Calculus Prof Stephen Playfer Mrs Bonnie 2 2 20 Macmillan EASC08017* Introduction to the Geological Kate Saunders Ms. Nikki Muir 2 2 20 Record EASC08021* Geomaterials Dr Tetsuya Ms. Nikki Muir 2 1 20 Komabayashi PHYS08045 Modern Physics Prof Alex Murphy Mr Peter 2 1 10 Hodkinson PHYS08042 Linear Algebra and Several Variable Dr Philip Clark Mrs Bonnie 2 1 10 Calculus Macmillan METE08001† Meteorology: Atmosphere and David Stevenson Ms. Christine Lee 2 1 20 Environment METE08002† Meteorology: Weather and Climate Dr Ruth Doherty Miss Christine Lee 2 2 20 * Courses specific to BSc Geophysics and Geology degree † Courses specific to BSc Geophysics and Meteorology degree § Not taken on BSc Geophysics and Meteorology degree ** Not taken on BSc Geophysics and Geology degree Contact details for Course Organisers and Course Secretaries are included in the detailed descriptions of each course, found later in this guide. Key Dates The table below details key University and School dates throughout the 2016/17 academic year. These dates are correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. 2016 10th – 18th September Welcome Week (http://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new- students/events) 13th September Welcome talk (11:10 – 12:00) TBC Careers Presentation (10.30 – 11.00) 19th September Start of Teaching Block 1 TBC Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting 21st October End of Teaching Block 1 24th October Start of Teaching Block 2 TBC Winter Exam diet timetable published TBC Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting 23rd November Graduations start TBC Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting 28th November School of GeoSciences graduation ceremony 29th November Graduations end 2nd December End of Teaching Block 2 5th – 7th December Revision 8th December Examinations start 21st December End of Semester 1/End of Examinations 2017 13th January Winter Teaching Vacation ends 16th January Start of Teaching Block 3 TBC Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting 17th February End of Teaching Block 3 TBC Innovative Learning Week 27th February Start of Teaching Block 4 TBC Spring Exam diet timetable published TBC Student Staff Liaison Committee meeting TBC Cyprus Excursion and Synoptic Practical for Geologists (Cyprus) 7th April End of Teaching Block 4 10th April Spring Teaching Vacation starts 21st April Spring Teaching Vacation ends 24th-28th April Revision week 1st May Examinations start 26th May End of Semester 2/End of Examinations 29th May Summer Teaching Vacation starts TBC Graduations start TBC School of GeoSciences graduation ceremony TBC End of Graduations Course submission deadlines can be viewed on the Teaching Organisation Deadline Diary at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/geosciences/teaching-organisation/to-overview Compulsory Course Information Course Information EASC08001 Earth Dynamics Course Organiser: CEES-JAN DE HOOG Other Key Staff: JENNY TAIT; IAN MAIN; GODFREY FITTON; STUART HASZELDINE Course Secretary: NICOLA MUIR Course location: Central/Kings Buildings Credits available: 20 SCQF Level: 08 Course description Volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain chains and the diversity of the Earth's rocks tell us that the Earth has been a dynamic planet since its formation 4.6 billion years ago. This course has two main aims: to impart an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth, and to develop practical skills in recognising the evidence of these processes in rocks, both in the field and in the laboratory. The course will have a primary focus on the materials of which the Earth is made, how the major constituents are distributed between core, mantle and crust and how this changes with time through the agencies of plate tectonics and volcanism. Geological resources, from energy, to minerals, and water, are essential for all aspects of society. How these resources are categorised, and where they are they formed is part of our fundamental understanding of the Earth as an integrated system. Learning Outcomes Students will develop a broad understanding of key, defining geological concepts and theories: the internal divisions of the Earth and its dynamic evolution via plate tectonic processes, the formation of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks, the mechanisms by which rocks deform and break at depth in the Earth, and the dynamic geological settings in which these processes operate. This will be achieved through routine, geological techniques: laboratory practicals including hand specimen and thin section analysis, fieldwork and ICT exercises. These ICT exercises will involve interpretation of deep Earth processes from geophysical data sets and virtual fieldwork exercises. Practical classes will be the basis for investigating professional level problems and issues to formulate evidence-based solutions using the techniques listed above. During these practical sessions students are expected to manage their time effectively and work both independently and with others. Assessment and Feedback information http://www.docs.sasg.ed.ac.uk/academicservices/regulations/taughtassessmentregulations.pdf All details related to extensions procedures and late penalties can be found in the: School of GeoSciences General Information Handbook 2016-17 Opportunities for feedback Feedback is the process of giving constructive comment to you so that you can improve your performance. During this course there is an opportunity for verbal feedback during all practical sessions. Your practical folders will be assessed twice during the course and comments made on the quality of work and where improvement is possible. There are also two field trips. After the first trip, formative feedback will be provided which can feed forward to your assessed notebook mark after the second field excursion. If at any point during the course you require clarity please contact the CO in the first instance. Assessment details Written Exam: 60%, Course Work: 40%, Practical Exam: 0%. You must pass both components to obtain an overall pass. Course Work The course work component includes your weekly practical workbooks as well as field trip attendance and notebook write up. The practical workbooks will be examined twice during the semester. The first practical mark will be based on work completed in selected sections the first set of practicals (Block 1, up to the end of Week 5), the second on work completed in selected sections of the second set of practicals (Block 2, practicals in Weeks 7-10). Your practical books will be submitted at our Assessment Submission Point (Grant Institute, Teaching Organisation Office) for marking mid-way through the semester (end of Week 5 to beginning of Week 6) and following your Week 10 practical. They will be marked within a week of submission and will be available for collection by you in time for your next practical or for end-of-semester revision. Incomplete practicals or practical workbooks, or absence from a practical where workbooks are marked, will be penalised unless you have special circumstances supported by doctor’s note or letter from your Student Support Co-ordinator. Be sure to submit your two field-related IT assignments within your workbook. In addition to the practical workbook you are required to submit your field notebook for marking after each field trip. The second mark will contribute towards your overall ‘practical’ mark. Written Exam (Theory Examination): A two-hour theory exam based on short answers and multiple choice questions will be held at the end of Semester 1. Further information will be provided on this in due course. The Semester 1 Theory examination will be worth 60% of your final mark. The theory re-sit examination will be held in August 2017. If you fail to pass both components at first attempt the following will happen: Fail coursework, pass exam: Alternative coursework will be assigned which requires all exercises in the practical folder to be completed AND extra petrographic description work. Deadline to submit work to TO Grant Institute 3 pm March 29th, 2016. Exam mark stands no resit allowed. Fail exam, pass course work: Resit exam in August exam diet; Coursework mark carried forward. Fail exam, fail coursework: Resit exam in August exam diet; Alternative coursework to be completed including all exercises in the practical folder AND extra petrographic description work. Deadline to submit work to TO Grant Institute 3 pm March 29th, 2016. Marks should be regarded as provisional until after the final examiner’s meeting, which will be held in January 2017. Assessment deadlines Practical workbooks to be handed in after the practical during week 5 or week 6 depending on practical session as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday practical classes to hand in by 4pm on Friday Week 5. Thursday, Friday practical classes to hand in by 4 pm on Monday of Week 6. Pre-requisite courses N/A Timetable Semester: Semester 1 Lectures: Monday 10:00 – 10:50 LT3 Appleton Tower Wednesday 10:00 – 10:50 LT1 Appleton Tower Friday 10:00 – 10:50 G.07 Meadows LT, Doorway 4, Medical School, Teviot Practical Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 14:00 – 17:00 JCMB, Lab 6307 classes: Tues 09:00 – 12:00 JCMB, Lab 6307 Tutorial: n/a Syllabus Week 1. September 19st – 23rd L1 – Course Introduction. Earth in space and its Solar System context. Meteorites, volcanoes and the materials and composition of the Earth (De Hoog) L2 - Earth through time: an introduction to the evolution of the Earth, geological time and the evidence for a 4550 million year old planet (De Hoog) L3 - Earth Structure. An introduction to the lithosphere and asthenosphere, heat flow, the evidence for plate tectonics, and continental versus oceanic plates (Tait) IT exercise 1: Web based Virtual Fieldtrip – accessed via Learn. Practical 1: Assay of the Earth – Earth materials and Composition Week 2. September 26th- September 30th L4 – Constructive plate margins. Plate boundaries, sea floor spreading, oceanic crust and magnetic anomalies (Tait) L5 – Destructive plate margins: Subduction zones, continental collision and orogenesis (Tait) L6 – Plate Motion and sedimentary processes (Tait) Practical 2: The nature of the lithosphere and asthenosphere October 1st OR 2nd. FIELD TRIP 1: PEASE BAY & SICCAR POINT. ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY. Meet at Appleton Tower, ready to depart at 09:00. Week 3. October 3rd – 7th L7 – Isostasy and tectonic driving forces (Tait) L8 – Continental rifting and sedimentation (Tait) L9 – Introduction to geophysics, seismology and the structure of the Earth. Importance of geophysics, and investigation of the structure of the deep earth through seismology (Main) Practical 3: Aspects of the motions of lithospheric plates Week 4. October 10th-14th L10 - Earthquakes and seismotectonics. Different types of waves which travel through the Earth, and examine how seismology can be used to locate, measure and understand earthquakes (Main) L11 - Refraction and reflection seismology. Differences between refraction and reflection seismology and how each technique allows us to comprehend the subsurface. Using active seismology to assess near surface solid earth structures (Main) L12- Magnetism. Earth’s magnetic field, geophysical techniques which use magnetic properties of the solid Earth to understand geological processes (plate tectonics, sea-floor spreading etc) (Main) Practical 4: Be a Seismologist Week 5. October 17th – 21st L13 – Gravity measurements, how certain corrections needs to be applied to measurements to yield useful results, and what the results mean to understanding the subsurface (Main) L14 – Magmas and igneous rocks; why volcanoes form; igneous intrusions (Fitton) L15 – Volcanoes and volcanic hazards (Fitton) Practical 5: Introduction to a microscope- optical mineralogy. IT exercise2: Introduction to Holyrood Park – Learn exercise to be completed before field trip. Sat 22nd October OR Sun 23rd October. FIELD TRIP 2: Holyrood Park / Salisbury Crags / Arthur’s Seat ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY. Meet at 09:00 sharp at the grassy parkland area near the roundabout just inside from the St Leonards / Pollock Halls entrance to Holyrood Park. Field trip ends at approximately 12:30 pm. Week 6. October 24th – 28th L16 – Introduction to rock-forming minerals (Fitton) L17 – Basic crystallography (Fitton) L18 – Composition and texture of igneous rocks; mineralogy and classification (Fitton) Tutorial: Maps practical exercise