Geology - Littleover Community School

Littleover
Community
School
Sixth Form
Academic excellence in a caring environment
GEOLOGY
AS/A2 Level
“An Outstanding Sixth Form”

Examination Board:
WJEC
Syllabus Content:
AS
GL Module 1 – Foundation Geology
The recording of changes and the dating of geological events.
The global structure of the Earth and composition of its crust.
The Earth’s energy sources and the resultant internal and external processes.
GL Module 2 – Investigative Geology
Problem solving based on hand specimens, maps, photographs and other data.
GL Module 3 – Geology and the Human Environment
Knowledge with understanding of natural geological hazards and those caused by
human activity and the means of predicting, monitoring and controlling them.
An evaluation of the impact of geology in environmental planning and civil
engineering projects.
Skills of analysing and evaluating geological data related to site development and
hazard assessment.
Fieldwork comprises 2 one-day visits and a 2 night/3 day residential field study.
A2
GL Module 4 – Interpreting the Geological Record
An extended concept of the rock cycle to deepen knowledge with understanding of
igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Extended skills in identifying and interpreting rocks using their compositions, textures
and other diagnostic features.
GL Module 5 – Geological Themes
The integration of the content of units GL1, GL3, and GL4 to study major geological
themes.
GL Module 6 – Geological Investigations
Fieldwork study – 1 week duration on the Isle of Arran.
Geology is the branch of science concerned with the structure, evolution and dynamics of the
Earth and with the exploitation of the mineral and energy resources that it contains. Geology is
ideally suited to fulfil the educational purpose of demonstrating the relevance of science to
society.Geology applies physical, chemical and biological principles to the investigation of the
Earth, but also involves a distinctive scientific methodology invoking internal and external Earth
processes to explain the evolution of the planet through geological time. The application of
Geology to human activities and needs is widely addressed in the specification, providing for
relevance and the development of a broad range of Key Skills.

Qualities required:
A high level of interest, commitment, and organisation.
Good communication, descriptive and precision skills.
Enthusiasm for practicals, the ability to think laterally and record observations
accurately.
To work as an individual and apply concepts to problems.
An appreciation of the natural environment.
A willingness to participate in fieldwork.
Method of Assessment:
AS Units – 50% of A Level mark
Module Method of Assessment Exam
Month
% of A
Level
Marks
% of AS
Level
Marks
GL1 Written paper (1 hour) June 17.5% 35%
GL2
GL2(a) External Assessment – Written
Paper (1 hour 30 minutes) OR
GL2(b) Internal assessment
May 15% 30%
GL3 Written Paper (1 hour 15 minutes) June 17.5% 35%
A2 Units – 50% of A Level mark
Module Method of Assessment Exam Month % of A
Level Marks
GL4 Written paper (2 hours) June 17.5%
GL5 Written paper (2 hours) June 17.5%
GL6
Internal assessment. Geological
fieldwork in Arran
Undertaken
October - April
15%

Future Prospects:
Geology is the study of the physical structure, history and make-up of the Earth.
What can be more relevant than the very Earth that we live on? When a volcanic eruption or
a Tsunami-generating earthquake hits the news headlines, wouldn’t it be wonderful to be
able to interpret such events on a global scale? Having the understanding that these
phenomena not only destroy life, but also have been essential in creating life on our planet
is a fascinating overview to have.
How intriguing is it to analyse rocks and the fossils that they contain and be able to
reconstruct a 300 million year old environment and work out its past climate? Evidence of
changes in the Earth’s climate is recorded in rocks throughout geological history, allowing
the geologist to trace these changes through time and go on to predict (with help from other
scientific disciplines), potential climatic fluctuations in the future.
The study of Geology also allows us to be able to predict the location and quantities of
natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, ore minerals, diamonds and building materials in
the crust. The subject encompasses many of the other sciences including Biology,
Chemistry and Physics and can lead to a career in:-
Environmental Impact Assessment - understanding the type and level of contamination in
water land and air and how the problems of contamination can be solved.
Geophysics - the interpretation of sub-surface structures and their economic importance.
Engineering Geology - the construction of sub-surface tunnels, pipelines, roads and
buildings based on their geological setting.
Mining Geology - exploration of the sub-surface for ore minerals (iron, lead, copper etc),
gold, diamonds and other precious natural resources.
Oil & Gas Exploration/Production - using geological techniques to find and extract oil,
coal and gas from the subsurface.
Geochemical Exploration - the chemical analysis of soils and waters for trace elements
leading to exploitation of natural resources.
Research