Module Catalogue

NES2211 : Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Sanem Acikalin Cartigny
  • Lecturer: Dr Mark Ireland
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The aim is to teach the students the key aspects of basin formation and how basins are filled. Controls on basin formation in different tectonic settings and basin fill are the main focus. The module will cover the following:

How basins are formed and filled

Introduction to stratigraphy

Divergent plate boundary

Convergent plate boundary

Cratonic basins

Non-tectonic basins

Sequence stratigraphy

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will cover:


Introduction to basin analysis

Mechanism of basin formation

Basin classification

Basins related to plate tectonics

Active margins

Passive margins

Arc basins

Basins non-related to plate tectonics

Isostasy

Intracratonic basins

Volkanic cones

Salt tectonics

Sequence stratigraphy

Basin analysis approaches


The module will have 3 practicals (which may be desktop, computer, or laboratory based). During these practicals students will learn how to collect and interpret data to understand basin evolution and sequence stratigraphy.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Preparation for and completion of formative problem solving exercise
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion151:0015:00Presentation preparation and delivery
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00Lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical33:009:00Practicals
Guided Independent StudySkills practice32:006:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study124:0024:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyOnline Discussion32:006:00N/A
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module will be taught through a series of 2 hour lectures. The theory and principles behind basin formation, basin fill and stratigraphic concepts will be taught separately.

Practicals will focus on data collection techniques and interpretation, including structural data collection and interpretation through stereonets, sequence stratigraphic models and conceptual basin fill illustrations.

The online discussion, skills practice, independent study and assessment preparation and completion will allow students to consolidate their learning gained from both lectures and practicals and practice their skills.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Examination1M100Presentation
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Prob solv exercises1MCompletion of a problem related to the practicals
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The presentation is used to test students' understanding and knowledge of the core principles of structural geology.

Reading Lists

Timetable