CSM student and staff handbook

9.4 CSM programme modules

The programme structures outlined below relate to students that enrolled in Year 1 during 2020-21. For programme structures for students that enrolled prior to 2020-21, please consult the CEMPS intranet (for Geology for Mining Engineering)

 

Geology degree programmes

Year One (Stage 1)

During Year 1 all three geology programmes contain the same suite of modules. Term 1 is weighted slightly more heavily than Term 2, to allow us to schedule fieldwork within the normal timetable throughout Term 2. Term 1 subjects are examined in January and Term 2 subjects in May. Note, the Summer Survey Course follows on immediately after the end of the May examinations and its assessment contributes to the Year 2 Geological Field Techniques module (CSM2184).

 

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM1041: Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists

15

1

CSM1045: Surveying and Digital Mapping

15

1

CSM1042: Dynamic Planet

15

1

CSM1031: Earth and Environmental Chemistry

15

1

CSM1043: Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones

15

2

CSM1044: Earth History and Palaeontology

15

2

CSM1036: Field Geology and Geological Maps

30

1 & 2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year Two (Stage 2)

During Year 2 most modules for each geology programme are the same. Geology and EGG students have no options. Applied Geology students can choose between CSM2185 and CSM2190. All but two of the Year 2 modules are "long-thin" modules taught over the first and second terms. Igneous Petrology (part of CSM2312) is assessed during the January examinations, but otherwise all of the examinations for these modules are held at the end of May. During the summer vacation between years 2 and 3, you will need to carry out a minimum of 28-days field-based work towards the third year Summer Vacation Project module (CSM3379). By the end of Year 2 you need to have decided whether to be enrolled on the Geology or Applied Geology (AG) programme. At the same time, those not registered for Geology need to decide whether to be enrolled on the Applied Geology or the Engineering Geology and Geotechnics (EGG) programme. Applied Geology students that choose Geophysics (CSM2190) during Year 2 will not be able to change to the EGG programme.

 

Year 2 modules for Geology

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM2182: Structural Geology and Tectonics

30

1 & 2

CSM2183: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

30

1 & 2

CSM2184: Geological Mapping Techniques*

15

1 & 2

CSM2190: Geophysics

15

1

CSM2312: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

30

1 & 2

All modules are non-condonable, see Section 2.

*Includes marks for Summer Survey Course

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Year 2 modules for Applied Geology

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM2182: Structural Geology and Tectonics

30

1 & 2

CSM2183: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

30

1 & 2

CSM2184: Geological Mapping Techniques*

15

1 & 2

CSM2312: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

30

1 & 2

In addition, students select one module from:

 

 

CSM2185: Geotechnics

15

1

CSM2190: Geophysics

15

1

All modules are non-condonable, see Section 2.

 *Includes marks for Summer Survey Course

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Year 2 modules for Engineering Geology and Geotechnics

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM2182: Structural Geology and Tectonics

30

1 & 2

CSM2183: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy

30

1 & 2

CSM2184: Geological Mapping Techniques*

15

1 & 2

CSM2185: Geotechnics

15

1

CSM2312: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

30

1 & 2

All modules are non-condonable, see Section 2.

*Includes marks for Summer Survey Course

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Year Three (Stage 3)

During Year 3, the three Geology degree streams become more specialised and are covered by a different suite of modules. In addition, there are a limited range of module choices open to you, which you should discuss with your Programme Lead, tutor or the relevant module leaders before making a decision on which path to take. You will, however, be asked to make your module choices by the start of Year 3 so that your personal module matrix can be set up on the University marking and awards database. During Term 1 of Year 3 there is a significant component of personal study time associated with both the completion and write up of your Summer Vacation Project (also see Appendix II). Consequently, good time management is a critical skill to develop at this stage.

 

Year 3 modules for Geology:

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM3047: GIS for Geologists

15

1

CSM3068: Geology Overseas Field Class

15

2

CSM3059: Evolution Of Earth & Planetary Systems

15

1

CSM3060: Dynamic Climates of the Past

15

2

CSM3379: Summer Vacation Project

30

1 & 2

In addition, students select two modules from:

 

 

CSM3046: Mineral Deposit Geology

15

1

CSM3049: Contaminated Land Management & Remediation

15

2

CSM3061: Energy Resource Geology

15

2

CSM3151: Exploration Techniques

15

2

CSM3152: Hydrogeology

15

2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year 3 modules for Applied Geology:

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM3046: Mineral Deposit Geology

15

1

CSM3047: GIS for Geologists

15

1

CSM3048: Applied Field Geology

15

2

CSM3151: Exploration Techniques

15

2

CSM3379: Summer Vacation Project

30

1 & 2

In addition, students select two modules from:

 

 

CSM3038: Surface Excavation Design

15

2

CSM3049: Contaminated Land Management & Remediation

15

2

CSM3061: Energy Resource Geology

15

2

CSM3152: Hydrogeology

15

2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year 3 modules for Engineering Geology and Geotechnics

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM3038: Surface Excavation Design

15

2

CSM3047: GIS for Geologists

15

1

CSM3069: Engineering Geology Field Course

15

2

CSM3152: Hydrogeology

15

2

CSM3379: Summer Vacation Project

30

1

In addition, students select two modules from:

 

 

CSM3041: Tunnelling and Excavation Design

15

1

CSM3049: Contaminated Land Management & Remediation

15

2

CSM3151: Exploration Techniques

15

 2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year Four (Stage 4)

Year 4 is research focussed and there are no formal lectures or theory examinations. You will spend the majority of your time undertaking an independent, original piece of research in your chosen specialist field. While undertaking this this project you will benefit from being fully embedded within one of CSM’s active research groups. The module Research Frontiers in Earth Science runs in parallel with your research project and will complement it by teaching you how to analyse critically research methods and geological data and make balanced arguments through weighing of evidence. It will also expand to a research level your knowledge on the geoscience subjects in your chosen research field and beyond. The Fourth Year Fieldclass is a ten-day residential field course in Cyprus, Spain or Tenerife.

 

Year 4 modules for Geology:

 Module

Credits

Term

CSMM439: Research Project

75

1 & 2

CSMM423: Fourth Year Field Class

15

1

CSMM440: Research Frontiers in Earth Science

30

1 & 2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year 4 modules for Applied Geology:

 Module

Credits

Term

CSMM439: Research Project

75

1 & 2

CSMM423: Fourth Year Fieldclass

15

1

CSMM440: Research Frontiers in Earth Science

30

1 & 2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year 4 modules for Engineering Geology & Geotechnics:

 Module

Credits

Term

CSMM439: Research Project

75

1 & 2

CSMM423: Fourth Year Fieldclass

15

1

CSMM440: Research Frontiers in Earth Science

30

1 & 2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Mining Engineering degree programme

Year One (Stage 1)

The Summer Survey and Underground Survey courses follow on immediately after the end of the May examinations and their assessment contributes to the Year 2 Mining and Surveying module (CSM2180).

 

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM1027: Mathematics 1A

15

1

CSM1045: Surveying and Digital Mapping

15

1

CSM1029: Mining and Minerals Engineering

15

1

CSM1030: Geology

15

1

CSM1033: Mathematics 1B

15

2

CSM1256: Engineering Mechanics

15

2

CSM1257: Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics

15

2

CSM1259: Electrical & Electronic Principles

15

2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year Two (Stage 2)

During the summer vacation between years 2 and 3, you will need to gain relevant work experience in an industrial placement at a surface or underground mine or within a mining-related discipline. The report you write up for this in your 3rd year will count towards the third year Industrial Placement & Project module (CSM3042).

 

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM2178: Fluid Mechanics

15

1

CSM2179: Mathematics 2

15

1

CSM2180: Mining and Surveying*

15

1

CSM2185: Geotechnics

15

1

CSM2177: Electrical Energy Conversion and Transport

15

2

CSM2186: Surface Mining and Mine Transport

15

2

CSM2187: Mechanics of Materials

15

2

CSM2188: Project Management and Accounting

15

2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

*Includes marks for Summer Survey Course & Underground Survey Course

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Year Three (Stage 3)

During Term 1 of Year 3 there is a significant component of personal study time associated with both the completion and write up of your Industrial Placement & Project module (CSM3042). Satisfactory completion of the industrial placement report will entitle students to be awarded Associate of Camborne School of Mines (ACSM). During Term 2 of Year 3 you will undertake the Feasibility Study (CSM3332), which is a fitting climax to the BEng degree experience at CSM. It involves a group effort of data crunching, decision making and blood, sweat and tears condensed into three weeks in a setting realistic to the mining industry.

 

 Module

Credits

Term

CSM3040: Minerals Engineering

15

1

CSM3038: Surface Excavation Design

15

2

CSM3039: Safety & Sustainable Development

15

1

CSM3041: Tunnel and Excavation Design

15

1

CSM3043: Working Environment & Ventilation

15

2

CSM3332: Feasibility Study

15

2

CSM3042: Industrial Placement & Project

15

1

CSM3044: Mining Economics & Design

15

2

Modules in bold are non-condonable, see Section 2.

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Year Four (Stage 4)

In Year 4 you have the opportunity to showcase the skills you have developed in previous years by carrying out an independent individual research project (CSMM420) and a group design project (CSMM421). The individual research project requires you to undertake 12 weeks of individual work and write up a dissertation. The group design project will provide experience of working as part of a project team in a situation close to one that might be found in an industrial or commercial setting. The learning outcomes of both of these projects apply to accredited programmes at MEng level and contribute to the educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).

 

 Module

Credits

Term

CSMM416: Mineral Process Design

15

2

CSMM417: Advanced Mine Ventilation & Modelling

15

1

CSMM418: Mine Automation

15

2

CSMM419: Advanced Mine Design

15

1

CSMM420: Individual Research Project

30

1

CSMM421: Group Design Project

30

2
 

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