Module Identifier GG21510  
Module Title PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr Paul A Brewer  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite GG10610 Only available to 2nd year intending honours geographers and environmental scientists in the second year of their degrees.  
Course delivery Practical   30 Hours Practicals / Field Days. 10 x 3 hours (4 practicals involving field sampling)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Laboratory Report:  80%
Semester Assessment In-Course Assessment:  20%

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module students:

1. Will have a training in safe laboratory procedures.

2. Will be proficient in the appropriate sampling and analytical procedures for a variety of sediments.

3. Will be able to interpret sediments from a variety of depositional environments.

Aims

To furnish students with sampling, interpretational and analytical skills, permitting them to analyse natural materials.

Content

This practical module provides instruction in the laboratory methods of the analysis of natural materials. All stages of sediment analysis are included in this course, from field sampling to sample preparation, analysis and interpretation. Both coarse and fine fraction sediment analysis techniques are utilised to discriminate between the sediments sampled from different environments of deposition. Three practicals, towards the end of the course, are devoted to further sediment sampling and analysis techniques. The following practical timetable is planned for this module:

In the interests of safety, all students will be required to purchase a laboratory coat for use during the practical classes.

Reading Lists

Books
Dackombe, R.V. and Gardiner, V. (1983) Geomorphological Field Manual Allen & Unwin
Goudie, A. (1990) Geomorphological Techniques Unwin Hyman

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5