| Unit name | Magmatic Systems and Resources |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30082 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Myhill |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of Years 1 and 2 of the Geology or Geophysics programmes. Students on other Earth Sciences programmes will be expected to undertake some preparatory work before the unit commences. You should speak to the unit director for guidance before being registered on the unit. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Melting is a key cause of planetary-scale differentiation and is the primary cause of volcanism. Igneous rocks on Earth have formed from a startling variety of magma compositions, the variety resulting from source rock heterogeneity, chemical fractionation, assimilation and mixing.
Magma-driven heating of volatile-bearing country rocks and volatile saturation in melts can lead to the formation of hot aqueous fluids. These fluids can create and alter a variety of different types of geological features and can transport many economically important chemical species.
Igneous and hydrothermal processes result in economic concentrations of metals such as copper, nickel, lithium, and the platinum group elements.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit examines magmatic and hydrothermal processes and rocks in detail, exploring both the underlying physics and thermodynamics and applying this knowledge to understand real rocks and formations. This unit will develop skills in observing and interpreting petrological information and developing and using models to support those interpretations.
An overview of content
This course investigates the physical processes of melting, chemical evolution, and crystallisation from melts and fluids. The following topics will be explored:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students completing this unit will hopefully have been inspired by lots of interesting information about the incredible world around them. They might have laughed at one or two of Bob’s terrible jokes. If they are amenable to the idea, they will finely-hone some valuable geological, analytical and computational skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, students will be able to:
The unit will be taught through a combination of:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Formative assessment will be via a practical assignment that mirrors the practical part of the summative exam. Personal feedforward will be provided by the unit director.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
Summative assessment will be via end-of-unit timed examination (100%), including: (a) thin section description and interpretation, (b) a practical exercise and (c) a written essay.
When assessment does not go to plan
The University's Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EASC30082).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
