This course provides an introduction to practical geology for civil engineers, emphasising: (i) identification of rocks, soils and associated landforms; (ii) appreciation of the occurrence and movement of groundwater; (iii) applications of geology in civil engineering projects including geothermal energy. It also introduces the topic of surveying and includes a series of practical sessions which allow students to familiarise themselves with surveying equipment.

2 lectures per week, two Geology laboratory sessions, two Surveying practical sessions.

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80% Written Exam

10% Geology Assignment

10% Surveying Assignment

The aims of this course are to:

■ convey a thorough grounding in applied geology as it relates to civil engineering practice;

■ explain and practise the engineering description of rocks and soils;

■ equip students with basic quantitative methods for analysing groundwater

■ develop student knowledge in surveying practice and techniques

■ apply principles of surveying in practical levelling and setting out tasks

■ introduce the concept of geothermal energy

By the end of the course students will be able to:

■ identify most common rock types;

■ produce succinct engineering descriptions of rocks and soils;

■ deduce likely groundwater conditions in the field;

■ understand and utilise a surveying vocabulary

■ carry out simple levelling and setting out tasks on surveying instruments

■ build a basic geological model of a site and read borehole logs

Students must attend the degree examination and submit the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend all classes and the field trip.

Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.