Module Identifier GG21510  
Module Title PHYSICAL ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Helen M Roberts  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Samuel J Clemmens  
Course delivery Practical   30 Hours. Practicals / Field Days. 10 x 3 hours (3 practicals involving field sampling)  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours Short answer/data response/short essay exam:  90%
Semester Assessment In-Course Assessment:  10%
Supplementary Exam2 Hours Short answer/data response/short essay exam.  90%
Supplementary Assessment In course assessment marks to be carried forward.  10%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:


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:

  1. Introduction to sediments
  2. Fieldwork: sediment sampling
  3. Fieldwork: sediment sampling
  4. Coarse fraction analysis: dry sieving
  5. Coarse fraction analysis: dry sieving
  6. Fine fraction analysis: hydrometer method/pipette method/sedigraph
  7. Environmental Discrimination
  8. Fieldwork: suspended sediment sampling
  9. Physical properties of sediments
  10. Compilation and analysis of results

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