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A level Geology
What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
Geology at AS and A2 level is taught assuming that students have no previous knowledge in the subject and you will start from first principles. It is, therefore, not necessary for you to have studied Geology before. What is more important is that you wish to study a science-based subject but want variety and the strong fieldwork and practical element, (a minimum of six days at A-level, three at AS and three for A2) in the course. You should have an enquiring mind and want to know how Cornwall and the Earth have formed and how they work.
What will I learn on this AS and A2 course?
- What is the global structure of the Earth and the composition of its crust?
- What are the Earth’s energy sources and the resultant internal and external geological processes?
- An appreciation of the geological record of change and the relative and absolute dating of geological events.
- How to plan a fieldwork investigation: the collection, analysis and evaluation of primary and secondary data.
- Develop the ability to problem solve, using geological maps, minerals, rocks and fossils.
- How natural hazards can be classified and an examination of the extent to which they can be predicted and controlled?
- What are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks? Skills will be developed in identifying and interpreting rocks using their compositions, textures and other diagnostic features.
- A thorough understanding of rock deformation i.e. the relationship between the type of stress and the resultant rock structures.
- An extended knowledge of the nature of the fossil record.
- The geology of natural resources.
- The geology of the lithosphere with a thorough understanding of plate tectonics.
The full specification can be obtained from www.wjec.co.uk/geology
AS level |
||
| A S |
In Unit GL1 | Structure of the earth, the earth’s energy sources and resultant processes, geological time. |
| In Unit GL2 | Practical paper – Fieldwork (including three field trips), laboratory work and geological map skills. There is no coursework in the AS examination. | |
| In Unit GL3 | Natural hazards, human hazards and engineering geology. |
|
| A2 level | ||
| A 2 |
In Unit GL4 | Rock forming processes, rock deformation, use of fossils and geological map study. |
| In Unit GL5 | The lithosphere (plate tectonics) and the quaternary geology of the UK |
|
| In Unit GL6 | Coursework (crustal shortening at Millook Haven near Bude and contrasting sedimentary environments at Godrevy. |
|
| Unit | Assessment | |||
| Duration | Mode | A level weighting (AS) | ||
| AS | Unit GL1 Foundation Geology | 1 hour | Written examination |
16.7% (33.3%) |
| Unit GL2 Geological Skills (no coursework at AS) | 1 hour 30 minutes | Problem solving practical examination | 16.7% (33.3%) | |
| Unit GL3 Geology and the Human Environment | 1 hour 15 minutes | Written examination |
16.7% (33.3%) | |
| A2 | In Unit GL4 Interpreting the Geological Record |
2 hours | Written examination |
15% |
In Unit GL5 Geological Themes |
2 hours 30 minutes | Written examination |
20% | |
|
In Unit GL6 Geological Investigations |
Coursework |
Internal assessment External moderation | 15% | |
Where might this subject take me?
The scientific education provided by Geology, with its emphasis on observation, data recording and interpretation, and the production of fieldwork reports is an excellent foundation for any career. These skills are in great demand and recognized by employers, universities and colleges as being of great value. If you cannot grow or catch it then it has to be mined.
A large number of Truro School pupils go on to study Geology at university. Job prospects in Geology for new Geology graduates can vary from year to year, especially in the oil and mineral industries where economic and political factors can affect exploration and production activity. Recent years have seen a steady growth in environmental awareness with increasing numbers of Geologists employed in areas of environmental planning, hydrology and pollution control.