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  5. Geology and Geophysics
  6. GL2511: Geophysics

GL2511: GEOPHYSICS (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:01


Course Overview

This course introduces you to some of the physics that underlies Earth’s processes, and shows you how geophysical methods can be used to uncover Earth’s structure and processes. From how the Earth moves around the solar system, to how rocks bend and break, from earthquake hazards to uncovering mineral resources, this course will allow you to gain skills and knowledge that will be important for the rest of your degree and future careers.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Amy Gilligan

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

This course covers 10 key topics in geophysics. Teaching is delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, and practical classes, including computer based practicals where you will learn the basics of coding python.

By the end of this you should be able to:

  • * Describe the main forces operating in the Earth, their behaviour, interaction and geological significance.
  • * Analyse and interpret basic geophysical data to make quantitative estimates of the Earth’s physical properties
  • * Apply basic mathematical and coding skills to solving geophysical problems
  • * Communicate geophysical concepts to a general and specialist audience
  • Each week of term covers a different topic:
  1. Planetary Structure and Tectonics: How do planets move?, Earth Structure, Plate Tectonics
  2. Heat: Heat fundamentals, Heat flow and geothermal gradients, Radiogenic heat production
  3. Mechanics: Stress and pressure, Strain, Rheology
  4. Faults and Fractures, Failure models, tensile fractures, faults, strength and friction
  5. Earthquakes: Where the occur, how big are they, focal mechanisms, induced seismicity, earthquake hazard
  6. Passive seismology: How do we measure ground motion? What can seismometers detect, locating earthquakes, imaging the Earth
  7. Seismic reflection and refraction
  8. Seismic acquisition and processing
  9. Magnetism: The Earth’s magnetic field, magnetic surveying, interpreting magnetic anomalies
  10. Gravity: The Earth’s shape, measuring gravity, gravity corrections, interpreting gravity anomalies.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

2-Page Information Sheet

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

4x Assessed Practicals (computer based)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Consists of 4x computer-based Assessed Practicals at 15% each.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
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Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Five-minute talk or poster.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.
 

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