Resources of the Earth for Geography/Geology

Description

The module examines the Earth’s physical resources and provides an understanding of the distribution of different kinds of resources in a plate tectonic context.

The following themes are covered in the lecture content:

  • Bulk materials
  • Water
  • Energy
  • Resource management and policy

Where appropriate topic will commence with background information on formation of the resource, and will elaborate extraction and processing methods as well as the major uses of each resource type.

Coursework will comprise 2 separate practical exercises that are based on real-world examples and tie in directly to lecture contents.

Coursework will install training in professional standards of report construction as required by industry and will provide essential contents for accreditation by the Geological Society of London.

Delivery

  • 10 hours lectures
  • 10 hours practical classes
  • 80 hours guided independent study

Assessment

  • 1 hour examination (60% of module)
  • Coursework submissions (40% of module) comprising 5 exercises (each worth 20% of the module)

Key skills

  • Professional report writing
  • Critical evaluation of geological materials
  • Quantitative resource evaluation
  • Mineral identification