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GEG133
Natural Hazards and Society
This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised.
Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.
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GEG278
Dissertation Preparation Skills
This module builds upon student knowledge of social research methods and environmental methods (delivered in GEG277) through to the formulation of a dissertation proposal. The module focuses on key dissertation planning and preparation skills.
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GEG331
Dissertation Report: Geography
The dissertation is an original, substantive and independent research project in an aspect of Geography. The dissertation research project is based on 20 - 25 days of primary research (e.g fieldwork, lab work, archive work) and several months of analysis and write-up. The end result must be less than 10,000 words of text. The dissertation offers you the chance to follow your personal interests and to demonstrate your capabilities as a Geographer. During the course of your dissertation, you will be supported by a peer-led discussion group and a staff supervisor. Lectures and guidance are delivered via this module and peer and staff led Dissertation Support Groups are delivered via GEG332. Participating in Dissertation Support Groups is vital, and is assessed and, in these groups, students will provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. This support and supervision is delivered through GEG332, which is a co- requisite.
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GEG332
Dissertation Support: Geography
This module provides structured, student-led peer-group support and academic staff group supervision for students undertaking the 30-credit 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module.
This support and supervision is assessed through the submission of the Dissertation Outline and the Dissertation Support Group Reflection and Attendance Log.
Working within a supervised Student Peer Group, students have the opportunity to provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. Group sessions are the main support provision as student¿s work through their Dissertation.
This module complements the 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module, which is a co-requisite.
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GEG363
Volcanology
In this module, students will study magmatic and volcanic processes, from source to surface. We will follow the journey of magma, from its production inside the Earth, to eruption at the surface through volcanoes, and injection of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. The module will cover magma generation, storage and evolution, ascent and eruption. Students will gain an understanding of processes underpinning eruptive styles and interpretation of these processes from the volcanic products. The module also explores how volcanism affects our planet¿s climate.
Delivery of the module will include a combination of on-campus sessions and a field course to the Eifel Volcanic Field (Germany). The field course will enable in-situ study of diverse volcanic landforms and products, formed via a wide range of eruptive styles, including effusive and explosive eruptions. During the field course, students will study various aspects of volcanic geology, including learning how to observe, measure and interpret volcanic rocks and deposits.
The module has a strong geological focus, and therefore a keen interest in geology and some previous knowledge of geology is highly recommended.
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GEL121
Introduction to Geology
Geology is the study of the composition and history of planet Earth and the processes that operate within the planet and on its surface. This module provides an overview of geology, with a strong emphasis on practical and fieldwork. By the end of the module you will be able to identify minerals and rocks, and know how to interpret them to understand the behaviour of volcanoes and earthquakes, and the formation of mountain belts. Teaching through lectures is supplemented by regular practical classes and five half-day field classes. Taking this module alongside Year One Geography modules will complete your credit requirements at Year One. The module is recommended if you have an interest in physical geography, although it is accessible to all students. No previous experience of geology is needed.
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GEL122
Earth science in the field
Acquiring fieldwork skills and experience is vital training for Earth scientists. This module develops geological fieldwork skills through two intensive residential weekends, three half-day field classes and an independent field-based project.
The first weekend (normally November), introduces key aspects of geology in the field, including a variety of rock types, folds and faults, fossils and field relations, as well as developing skills such as keeping a field notebook, making a field sketch, using a compass-clinometer to measure the orientation of rock surfaces, and manipulating structural data. The second weekend (normally February) applies knowledge, understanding and experience gained through the year (including in GEL121) to more advanced aspects of geology in the field, including sediment logging, correlation and lateral variation, and basic field mapping. The field weekends are supported by tutorial meetings and assessed through activities undertaken in the field, including a field notebook, and reports prepared afterwards.
Local, half-day field classes in Teaching Blocks 1 focus on geological resource exploitation in the South Wales Coalfield and are assessed through a report. Local field classes in TB2 focus on geological mapping and fossils. Finally, students undertake an independent project based on the geology of an area of their choosing, producing a poster.
This module builds on material covered in GEL121 (Introduction to Geology) which is a co-requisite, and provides a firm foundation for the study of Year 2 geology modules. The module is compulsory for students enrolled on BSc Physical Earth Science. It is not available to students enrolled for other Geography degree schemes.
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GEL204
Geological Record of Past Environments
The geological record gives a long-term perspective on environmental and climatic change, including changes that occurred over hundreds of thousands to millions of years. This record, derived from the interpretation of rocks, provides a long-term perspective on the magnitude and extent of environmental changes and their causes.
This module focuses on the reconstruction of environmental parameters from the geological record. Principles and techniques for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction are outlined, with an emphasis on facies analysis and palaeoecology. Sedimentary structures are interpreted in terms of processes of sediment transport, deposition and disturbance. The facies characteristics of major depositional systems are outlined, including deserts, rivers, deltas, the deep sea and volcaniclastic environments.
This module builds on aspects of geology introduced at Year One and provides a long-term perspective on environmental and climatic conditions that complements Earth history and physical geography modules. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience. The module will include lectures and a weekend long field course component.
