| Module Code | ES7055 |
| Module Name | Earth System Science Part I: Deep Time |
| ECTS Weighting [1] | 5 ECTS |
| Semester Taught | 2 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Dr Micha Ruhl |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Give a detailed account of environmental major events in early Earth history.
- Understand the significance of the Archean sedimentary record in relation to evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Give an account of the chemical and isotopic information archived in Precambrian sediments.
- Explain complex interactions between plate tectonics, mountain uplift, weathering and climate.
- Describe how records of past environmental change are constructed and illustrate their applications and limitations with reference to named examples.
- Apply the use of geochronology to critically evaluate the timing and rates of environmental change through deep time.
- Understand how scientific concepts of Earth system science can be used to assess current issues related to climate change.
Module Content
Topics covered in this module are:
- This module covers the scientific basis necessary to understand environmental and climate change through Earth history. Topics include an introduction to the Earth’s timescale, evolution of the early Earth, the role of plate tectonics and volcanism in Earth system science, weathering and environmental chemistry in the Archean, evolution of the atmosphere, extreme environmental change, mass extinction events in Earth history and causes and consequences of major glaciation events. The module provides the tools to read and comprehend the scientific literature relating to environmental change throughout geological time. A series of computer based problem solving practical classes will introduce the topic of radiogenic isotopes and geochronology. Lectures on specific topics, their wider consequences and practical significance will be developed through whole class discussions.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Assessment Details
| Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of Total | Week Set | Week Due |
| 100% course work | Practical based problem solving exercises using chemical and isotopes data and highlighting the use of geochronology in deep time | 100 | |||
Reassessment Details
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
| Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | hours |
| Lecture | hours |
| Laboratory | hours |
| Tutorial or seminar | hours |
| Other | hours |
| Independent study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | hours |
| Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable) | hours |
| Completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | hours |
| Total Hours | hours |
Recommended Reading List
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules:
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: N/A
Module Co-requisites
N/A