Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module GEOL3221: ADVANCED GEOPHYSICS

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3221: ADVANCED GEOPHYSICS

Type	Open	Level	3	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2018/19	Module Cap		Location	Durham

Prerequisites

GEOL1081, Further Mathematics for Geoscientists OR a comparable module taught in the Mathematics Department, AND GEOL2081 Geophysical Methods for Geoscientists.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

To teach the principles of acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic reflection data, the principles of wireline logging, and applications in the petroleum industry.

Content

Seismic wave propagation.
Seismic reflection acquisition on land and at sea.
Principles and practice of seismic data processing.
Seismic reflection data interpretation.
Principles of operation of wireline logging tools.
Formation evaluation using wireline logs.
Application of seismic reflection and wireline logging to petroleum exploration and production.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

To understand the principles of the seismic reflection method and know about modern applications to petroleum exploration.
Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in Earth's natural resources and the techniques used to locate and exploit them.

Subject-specific Skills:

To be able to interpret seismic reflection sections.
To understand the principles of operation of standard wireline logging tools and to be able to use wireline logs for formation evaluation.
Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret geological data.

Key Skills:

Critical Analysis
Research capability
Scholarship
Practical competency
Independent learning
Numeracy
IT skills
Literacy
Teamwork
Time management

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The module is delivered through a mixture of lectures and practical classes, supported by handouts and directed reading.
The practicals allow "hands on" learning by giving students experience in processing and interpreting seismic reflection data, and in evaluating wireline logs.
Problems classes on signal analysis for understanding the principles of geophysical signal processing.
Summative assessment is made up of the work in practicals (40%) and an unseen written examination (60%).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	20	Weekly	1 hour	20	■
Practicals	20	Weekly	2 hours	40	■
Preparation and Reading				140
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 60%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
two-hour unseen written examination		100%
Component: Continual Assessment		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Practicals on seismic reflection processing and interpretation, and borehole logging		60%
Tests on spectral analysis and deconvolution		40%

Formative Assessment:

Practical coursework (other than that which will be summatively assessed).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University