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