MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

MODULE DETAILS

Module title / Geology for Civil Engineers 1
Module code / CN134
Credit value / 10 CATS points
Level
Mark the box to the right of the appropriate level with an ‘X’ / Level 4 / X / Level 5 / Level 6 / Level 7 / Level 8
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent / N/A
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery / Taught / X / Distance / Placement / Online
Other
Pattern of delivery / Weekly / X / Block / Other
When module is delivered / Semester 1 / Semester 2 / X / Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module content and/ or aims
Overview (max 80 words) / This module covers the basic principles of the earth’s surface processes with particular emphasis on their relevance to engineering operations/activities. Students are introduced to the engineering description of a range of geological materials for which practical work and fieldwork is an essential aspect. Understanding and 3D visualisation is developed by interpretation of geological maps.
Module team/ author/ coordinator(s) / ML: Dr Friederike Günzel
School / Environment and Technology
Site/ campus where delivered / Moulsecoomb
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course / Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional)
BEng/MEng Civil Engineering / Compulsory
BEng/MEng Civil with Environmental Engineering / Compulsory
BEng/MEng Civil Engineering with Construction Management / Compulsory

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims / To provide the students with basic understanding of geological principles, especially surface processes such as weathering, transport and sedimentation and their impact on engineering properties of soils and rocks.
Learning outcomes / At the end of this module the student should be able to:
1.  carry out basic laboratory tests; understand health & safety requirement for laboratory work;
2.  describe and classify granular soils and common rocks
3.  understand concepts of stratigraphy and geological time;
4.  recognise and understand the influence of transport mechanisms and environments on the properties of sediments;
5.  interpret geological maps using strike lines and structure contours and construct geological sections;
6.  recognise landforms created by weathering, erosion and sedimentation and their engineering implications.
Content / Common rock forming minerals; Earth’s surface processes: weathering, transportation (water, wind, ice) and sedimentation; Soil types and sedimentary rocks as a result of these processes; Basic laboratory tests and health & safety requirements for laboratory and field work; Geological timescales and principle of superposition; Introduction to igneous and metamorphic rocks; Geological maps: Dip, strike, unconformities and construction of cross sections;
Learning support / Recommended Reading List
Bell, F.G.: Engineering Geology, 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007.
Bennison, G.M., Olver, P.A. & Moseley, K.A., 8th ed., An Introduction to Geological Structures and Maps. Hodder Education, 2011 (or older editions).
Blyth, F.G.H. and de Freitas, M.H.: A Geology for Engineers, 7th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, 1984.
Grotzinger, J., Jordan, T.H., Press, F. & Siever, R.: Understanding Earth, 5th ed. (or previous), Freeman, 2007.
Goodman, R.E.: Engineering geology – Rock in Engineering construction; Wiley, 1993.
McLean, A.C. & Gribble, C.D.: Geology for Civil Engineers, 2nd ed., Spon Press, 1985.
Waltham, T.: Foundations of Engineering Geology, 3rd ed., Spon Press, 2009.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and learning activities / Lectures, tutorials, laboratories and field day.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours / Study hours
SCHEDULED / This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning. / 55
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY / All students are expected to undertake guided independent study which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment tasks, and revisions. / 45
PLACEMENT / The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University that is not work-based learning. It includes study that occurs overseas.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS / 100
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for this module / Coursework (40%): Laboratory and field work (compulsory attendance) and report (LO1-4)
Examination (60%): 2 hours (LO2-6)
Types of assessment task[1]
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression. / % weighting
(or indicate if component is pass/fail)
WRITTEN / Written exam / 60
COURSEWORK / Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output, set exercise / 40
PRACTICAL / Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set exercise

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Area examination board / Built Environment & Civil Engineering Area Examination Board
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name / Position and institution / Date appointed / Date tenure ends
Prof. Kypros Pilakoutas / Professor of Construction Innovation, University of Sheffield / October 2013 / September 2017

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the first version / August 2012
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the first version / N/A
Date of approval for this version / October 2013
Version number / 4
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for which this is a replacement / Part of CN207
Available as free-standing module? / No

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

[1] Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.