Course overview
The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop an understanding and appreciation of the processes and materials of the physical environment and the interaction between these and human activity and constructions. Formation, characteristics and engineering properties of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks; geological structures and structural mapping; sediments and soil, weathering processes and products, classification of weathered rock; coastal environments and processes; earthquakes and seismic waves; geophysical techniques and remote sensing.
Course learning outcomes
- Recognise the significance of rock and mineral properties on engineering and environmental problems.
- Outline the structure and composition of the Earth, and the relationship of plate tectonics to Earth processes.
- Describe a range of techniques that can be used to investigate geological features.
- Contribute to informed discussion about the impact of geological phenomena on environmental issues.
- Identify engineering activities that have environmental impacts, and propose effective solutions to environmental problems.
- Record information about geological field relationships and use it to construct and interpret simple geological maps.