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GL5561: EARTH AND PLANETARY SURFACE AND INTERNAL PROCESSES (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

Data sets derived from remote sensing, meteorites and samples retrieved from the Lunar surface will be integrated to inform understanding of geological processes that play within and upon the surface of terrestrial planets. This course will develop essential geologically based reasoning skills through diverse data sets, building upon and contributing to the students’ wider understanding of Planetary Sciences.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Malcolm J. Hole

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

  • Any Postgraduate 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?

No

Course Description

This course will concentrate on the Terrestrial planets and their satellites (Earth’s Moon, Mars, Venus & Mercury) and their meteorite record.   The internal structure of planets is best interrogated by geophysical processes, although the geophysical record is sketchy for the Terrestrial planets. However, the composition age and distribution of volcanic and associated rocks act as a probe for our understanding of internal planetary processes as well as providing and insight into surface processes. For Earth’s Moon there are significant observational and analytical data sets derived from the Apollo landings of the 1960s and 1970s and more recent lunar probes. Whilst it is 50 years since materials were collected during the Apollo missions, our understanding of the evolution of the Earth and Moon has improved dramatically largely because new analytical technologies allow non-destructive, very high-precision chemical and mineralogical analysis. The surface rocks of Mars have been interrogated by in situ mineralogical analysis. For the other terrestrial planets, we rely mainly on meteorite samples and remote sensing technologies to understand their internal and surface geology respectively.


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

Paper on comparisons between Earth and other planetary surface processes.

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Assessment component C

Students will be directed to, or choose their own primary sources of data. From these data they will be expected to make their own interpretations and conclusions.  Students will be expected to find their own examples of comparative materials from primary sources and document them, taking advantage of a wealth of remote sensing tools online that make this possible. These findings will then be put into context of the published literature.

Feedback will be provided following the format used in reviews of paper as per International Journal.

Assessment- End of course, so after feedback on first two exercises, whichever is earlier.

Feedback - End of course

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

Lunar data analysis (lab book and exercises)

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Assessment component A

Examination and interrogation of geochemical data on lunar rocks and integration with remote sensing data.

The exercises include plotting and interpreting geochemical data in order to make conclusions about the petrogenesis of Lunar rocks. 

Lab book with exercises submitted online. Individual feedback online, general in tutorials.

Examination and interrogation of geochemical data on lunar rocks and integration with remote sensing data. The exercises include plotting and interpreting geochemical data in order to make conclusions about the petrogenesis of Lunar rocks. 

 

Assessment - week 3 of 2nd sub-session

Feedback - week 4 of 2nd sub-session

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

Paper on an aspect of planetary interiors as determined from surface samples.

Assessment Type Formative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Assessment component B

Students will be directed to, or choose their own primary sources of data. From these data they will be expected to make their own interpretations and conclusions.  It is expected that students will make use of the data that is provided in component A, but to expand the interpretations from the simple exercises into a publishable format.

Feedback will follow format of a review of paper as per International Journal.

Assessment - week 5 of 2nd sub-session

Feedback - week 7 of 2nd sub-session

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

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed elements of assessment.

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Original element weighting

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
ProceduralCreateDevelopment of integrated geological histories linked to internal and surficial earth processes.
ConceptualApplyEnhance knowledge of geological concepts
ProceduralCreateEnhance visual presentation skills.
ReflectionCreateEnhancement of critical thinking and reasoning skills.
FactualUnderstandConsolidation of geological field and laboratory skills.
ConceptualApplyPlanning and executing focused investigation of geological outcrops and regions
ReflectionCreateChallenging published geological investigations and interpretations against one’s own observations and deductions.
ConceptualEvaluateIntegration of diverse earth science information.

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