Earth's history

Language

French
> English-friendly

Main themes

This course on historical geology discusses the processes and geological events that occurred throughout Earth’s history. The practicals are oriented towards the interpretation of the geological maps of Wallonia, and the analysis of trimensional structures using geological cross-sections, as well as the macro- and microscopic determination of rocks, minerals and fossils.

Content

This course covers the history of our planet, and presents a chronology of the geological time including the major geological and paleo-geographical events and biological evolution. The course also resumes a number of geological concepts laying the foundations of current paradigms in earth sciences.

During the practical exercises of LGEO1251A, we will determine rock, mineral and fossil specimens. This will be followed by the elaboration of a leaflet on a rock, mineral or fossil of the scientific collection of UCLouvain. 

Teaching methods

The teaching activities include 12 lectures with active participation of the students, short individual interventions by the students (with presentation of their favorite fossil), and 4 learning sessions with exercises and practical work. This will be followed by the preparation of a leaflet on one of the rocks, minerals or fossils of the scientific collection of UCLouvain.

Evaluation methods

The evaluation is based on a written exam that complements the continuous evaluation during the semester. The written exam will be in the form of open questions. The continuous evaluation will take place during the practical sessions, and evaluates (i) the student's capacity to apply their knowledge to identify rock, mineral, and fossil specimen, and (ii) the scientific content and elaboration of the leaflet.
The final grade is based on the written exam (50%) and the continuous evaluation (50%).

Other information

The participation to the 4 sessions of practical exercises is mandatory. These are organized only once during an academic year. It is impossible to redo them in the second session. The preparation of the scientific leaflet is based on supervised individual research.

Online resources

https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=1922

Teaching materials

• Boulvain, F., Pingot, J.L., 2015. Genèse du sous-sol de la Wallonie. Academie Royale de Belgique, Mémoire de la Classe des Sciences, Collection in-8°, IV° série, tome V. IMP Printing s.a., Ganshoren.
• Stanley, S.M., Luczaj, J.A., 2015. Earth System History. 4th Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, US.
• matériel sur moodle

Faculty or entity

> GEOG