GEOL20220 Discovering Ireland’s Geology

Academic Year 2023/2024

The Irish geological record contains over a billion years of Earth history preserving memories of the uplift of Himalayan-sized mountains, volcanic eruptions, warm tropical seas and polar ice caps. This module will introduce through field classes and online material how we can interpret the ancient rock record to reveal the past, and explore the links between the bedrock beneath us and today’s landscape and society. As part of this module students will visit sites of outstanding geological interest and beautiful scenery in North and South County Dublin. The module is intended for students with an interest in geology and the environment and as an introductory course is designed for those with no prior experience of the subject .

*Please note students are required to attend field classes and the dates of field classes cannot be changed.
**Due to COVID-19 social distancing regulations or poor weather conditions, the location of field classes may be changed, or field classes may be replaced with virtual classes / exercises at short notice.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Expected outcomes of the course are that students possess an understanding of:

1. the principal rock type groups and how they form;
2. the key geological events/processes that have shaped Ireland;
3. how the geological record can be used to interpret the past.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

0
Field Trip/External Visits

20
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Online Learning

30
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The modules uses the following teaching-learning approaches.

1. Lectures: field excursions will include informal short talks to convey knowledge and stimulate debate.
2. Active/task-based and problem-based learning: students will be asked to carry out active tasks during fields trips and via online material, some of which will include finding solutions to geological problems.
3. Group work: students will be asked to work in groups on field trips and self-led trips.


 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
GEOL20260 - The Geology of Ireland


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Fieldwork: Field class (guided and self-led trips) or virtual field class exercises. Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50
Examination: Final MCQ exam testing knowledge about all aspects of the course. Week 12 No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on assessed field trip exercises will be provided to the class as group feedback after field excursions. Feedback on online exercises will be either automated or provided as group feedback.

Name Role
Dr Thomas Belgrano Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Conrad Childs Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Kara English Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Peter Haughton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Eoghan Holohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sam Kelley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Frank McDermott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aline Melo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Julian Menuge Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Patrick Orr Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Koen Torremans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor John Walsh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2 Thurs 18:00 - 18:50
External & School Exams Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Thurs 18:00 - 19:50
Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sat 09:00 - 17:50
Field Trip Offering 2 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sat 09:00 - 17:50
Field Trip Offering 3 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sat 09:00 - 17:50
Field Trip Offering 4 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sat 09:00 - 17:50
Field Trip Offering 5 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sun 09:00 - 17:50
Field Trip Offering 6 Week(s) - 4, 6 Sun 09:00 - 17:50
Autumn
      
Spring
      
Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 23, 31 Sun 09:00 - 17:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 21 Thurs 18:00 - 18:50
External & School Exams Offering 1 Week(s) - 33 Thurs 18:00 - 18:50
Spring