Earth Systems

Module Description

This module will provide students with an introduction to the Earth, the Geological time scale, the building blocks of rocks (basic mineralogy), the rock cycle, the dynamic Earth and systems feedback mechanisms in the Geosphere and serve as an introduction to the development of basic principles and doctrines in geology (Geological Time, Law of Superposition, Uniformitarianism, Walther’s Law, Davisian cycle, Scientific Method and Hypothesis testing, Plate Tectonics, etc.). It will follow the story of how the Earth was formed from 4.6 billion years ago, through the origin of life on Earth, the principles of stratigraphy, the discovery of plate tectonics, and long-term climate change and the present day “climate emergency”. This module is suitable for students with no previous knowledge of geology and provides an introduction for many other geology modules. Part of the module is dedicated to an introduction to geostatistics, the understanding of normal distribution and statistical methods and their applications to geology.

Target Audience

This program caters to individuals interested in enhancing their academic and professional understanding of Geology and Earth Sciences.

Persons seeking to or working in:

• advance their academic and professional knowledge of Geology and Earth Sciences;
• advance their academic and professional knowledge of rocks, namely, classification, testing, and use in industry;
• the construction and quarrying industry;
• pursue a career in Geology and Earth Sciences;
• geotechnical laboratories seeking to advance their knowledge and position.

Career Paths

The potential positions for which this programme aims to prepare could be and are not limited to:

• Professional Geologist
• Geological technician
• Manager of geotechnical laboratory
• Consultancy
• Court Expert
• Environmental auditor and Environmental Impact Assessment expert

How you’ll be assessed

The programme comprises a total of 8 modules. The method of assessment is assignment-based.

The course comprises:

•  Lectures per module depending on the number of ECTS (twice a week);
• 3-hour lectures;
• 12 hours of guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos;
• Assessment may consist of field work carried out in specific location/s in the Maltese Island;
• Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.

Assessment

The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.