GL2014: STRATIGRAPHICAL PRINCIPLES (2020-2021)

Last modified: 07 Jul 2020 15:10

Course Overview

This course is concerned with absolute and relative time-scales as used by geologists to date geological events and processes. Absolute dating using isotopic techniques, including the treatment of raw data, forms the cornerstone of the course. The use of the fossil record in relative and absolute dating is integrated with geological maps and absolute dating techniques to give a broad overview of the methods used by geologists to determine sequences of events in Earth's history.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	2
Term	First Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Alexander Brasier

Qualification Prerequisites

Programme Level 2

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

One of GL1005 The Nature of the Environment Through Geological Time (Passed) or GL1006 The Dynamic Planet (Distance) (Passed) or KL107Z The Dynamic Planet (Passed)
One of GL1505 Earth's Materials (Passed) or GL1506 Portrait of a Planet (Distance) (Passed) or KL157X Portrait of a Planet (Second Half-Session) (Passed)
Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

GL2010 Palaeontology (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

absolute dating - Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, U-Pb, K-Ar & Ar-Ar systematics and the treatment of raw data (mineral and whole-rock)

relative timing of geological events from geological maps

basic principles of facies analysis

case studies of integrated used of time, sequencing and interpretative stratigraphical tools based on published geological maps.

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

Essay (40%)

2x Online Tests (20% each)

Map Exercise (20%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome