Entry requirements

60 credits in earth science including Rocks and Quaternary Deposits, 15 credits, and Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeobiology, 10 credits.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• identify, classify and analyse geological structures
• link the formation of these structures to various geological environments
• understand which structural geology and petrology data should be collected in the field
• treat and interpret such data, and present analyses to potential employers or in scientific contexts
• to link structural data to rock-, rock mass- and soil strength

Content

Lectures: Introduction to the concepts of deformation, stress and strain. Rock mechanics. The properties of rocks (ranging from brittle to ductile) deformed in different geological environments. The role of fractures and fracturing in engineering geology and for fluid transport as well as for rock-classification. A systematic description of ductile structures like folds and boudinage in simple and complex areas. The analysis of multiply deformed areas. Shear zones and kinematic analysis.

Practicals: An introduction to stereographic projection, the interpretation of geological maps and the construction of cross-sections. Introduction to 3-dimensional rock modelling. The shape and content of geological reports.

Instruction

Lectures and practicals. Participation in practicals is compulsory.

Assessment

Written examination (7 credits) and oral presentation of practical work (3 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.