I originally trained as a geologist and then specialised in organic geochemistry. I mostly teach undergraduate students field and laboratory practical skills in both geography and geology, allowing students to put into practice the theory they have learnt in lectures. My main research is in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction particularly of Quaternary sediments.
Geomechanics is the study of the mechanical behaviour of geological material, namely rocks and soils. The understanding of these concepts is crucial owing to the importance of these materials in the stability of supported structures. This 20 credit module, spanning both TB1 and TB2, introduces the fundamental theory associated with the mechanical properties of both forms of geological material. On completion of this module, the student will be prepared to look at further advanced topics in Geomechanics II.
This residential field course module explores the relationship between environment and society in the Himalayan state of Sikkim in NE India on the borders with China, Nepal, Tibet and West Bengal. The course is inter-disciplinary in approach and policy-oriented. Students work with members of University Staff in mixed groups of biologists, human geographers, physical geographers and zoologists. Through intensive inter-disciplinary group working, students utilise (and pass on) their specialist skills in the group exercises and projects that are undertaken.
This module provides training in key practical skills and concepts of field data collection for geology, human and physical geography students. The module consists of two parts, each of which comprises 50% of the module mark. The first is common to all students, and the second is determined by the student¿s degree specialism (human geography, physical geography or geology). Main component - common to all students Here we learn skills and concepts that are fundamental to your geography degree and aim to begin to prepare you for fieldwork aspects of your dissertation project. These include mapwork skills, awareness of data uncertainty, and applying geographical knowledge to real world situations. Next we will look at sea-level change and its impacts on communities and ecosystems. During classroom sessions we will consider the causes of sea-level change and how it is measured. We use the technique of Stakeholder Analysis to look at the economic and social impacts of sea-level change in different regions. We will then undergo local visits to explore the potential impacts of sea level to our locality and on our coastal university. We¿ll look at both urban and rural environments and different mitigation policies that may be used. Degree specialism Geology The module develops geological fieldwork skills through 2 intensive day field classes and one intensive field weekend (Friday and Saturday). Field classes will introduce key aspects of geology in the field, including a variety of rock types, folds and faults, fossils and field relations, as well as developing skills such as keeping a field notebook, making a field sketch, using a compass-clinometer to measure rock surface orientations, manipulation of structural data, sediment logging and correlation and lateral variation. This collected field data will be assessed through a geological report in order to synthesize this field data.
Geology is the study of the composition and history of planet Earth and the processes that operate within the planet and on its surface. This module provides an overview of geology, with a strong emphasis on practical and fieldwork. By the end of the module you will be able to identify minerals and rocks, and know how to interpret them to understand the behaviour of volcanoes and earthquakes, and the formation of mountain belts. Teaching through lectures is supplemented by regular practical classes and field classes. This module is recommended is accessible to all students, no previous experience of geology is needed.
The module is concerned with identifying and defining geographical questions within the Vancouver and southern British Columbia context and applying relevant geographical skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features of Vancouver and southern British Columbia. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on either the physical or human geography on the region and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory lectures in Swansea during teaching block 2 and a two-week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2 into the first week of the Easter vacation.
This core module introduces a variety of human geography methods, along with data analysis. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are introduced to a range of research methods used in human geography along with statistical analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
This core module introduces a variety of environmental and physical geography methods, along with data analysis. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
This module builds upon student knowledge of social research methods and environmental methods (delivered in GEG277) through to the formulation of a dissertation proposal. The module focuses on key dissertation planning and preparation skills.
The geological record gives a long-term perspective on environmental and climatic change, including changes that occurred over hundreds of thousands to millions of years. This record, derived from the interpretation of rocks, provides a long-term perspective on the magnitude and extent of environmental changes and their causes. This module focuses on the reconstruction of environmental parameters from the geological record. Principles and techniques for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction are outlined, with an emphasis on facies analysis and palaeoecology. Sedimentary structures are interpreted in terms of processes of sediment transport, deposition and disturbance. The facies characteristics of major depositional systems are outlined, including deserts, rivers, deltas, the deep sea and volcaniclastic environments. This module builds on aspects of geology introduced at Year One and provides a long-term perspective on environmental and climatic conditions that complements Earth history and physical geography modules. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience. The module will include lectures and a weekend long field course component.
