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  3. Undergraduate
  4. 2026-2027
  5. Geology and Geophysics
  6. GL1007: How the Earth Works

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GL1007: HOW THE EARTH WORKS (2026-2027)

Last modified: 14 Aug 2025 12:16


Course Overview

Our Earth is a dynamic and formidable planet. In this course we travel through time and space to understand where we came from, how the Earth works at all scales (inside and out), what options there are for sustainable energy and also some advice on where not to go on holiday. Join us on a 4.5 billion year journey!

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Malcolm J. Hole
  • Dr Alexander Brasier

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2
  • Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Our Earth is a dynamic and formidable planet. In this course we travel through time and space to understand where we came from, how the Earth works at all scales (inside and out), what options there are for sustainable energy and some advice on where not to go on holiday. Join us on a 4.5 billion year journey!

The course will be organised around five major themes through the course, discussing wide-ranging geoscience topics that all have impacts on our everyday lives:

  • We are stardust: Origin of the solar system and Earth’s place in it; how we know when events happened over the solar systems billions of year’s history; what rocks can we find on Earth and other planets and moons
  • The Geotime Machine: Major events marking the history of climate and life on Earth; would we survive in the geological past?
  • Dynamic Earth: How the Earth moves, how do we know what’s inside the Earth and other planets? How do processes inside the Earth impact the climate and environment on the surface?
  • Dangerous holiday venues: Understanding what causes geohazards like earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, landslides, wildfires. Where is most as risk from these hazards and what steps
  • Energy transition: Critical minerals, ccs, wind, geothermal. How do we get the energy and materials we need sustainably?

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2025 for 1st Term courses and 19 December 2025 for 2nd Term courses.

Summative Assessments

Report: Group

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 35
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

5 MCQs on the 5 main topic areas of the course, instantaneous individual feedback, general written and verbal feedback to the class
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Report: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.
 

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