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A-level Geology Evening Classes in 2007-2008
This course is being run by the Huddersfield Geology Group as an addition to the usual programme of Monday talks, because of public demand for a systematic study of the subject.     The cost for the whole course is £100 per person, payable at the start of the course.

The schedule mixes our regular programme of talks and field trips with separate, additional sessions for A-level Geology.     Students will find that the Huddersfield Geology Group talks are usually at a level that they will understand and some of the talks are directly related to the A-level course specification.

Teaching

The course will endeavour to cover more advanced geology in short evening sessions, so the pace will be fast.     However, there are textbooks to help you with understanding the facts and ideas.     As geology is a visual subject, photos and illustrations are used all the time, often in the form of Powerpoint presentations.     There is a CD available with copies of the presentations for use at home.

Textbooks

"Geoscience" is the most appropriate textbook for A-level Geology.     You might also find a geological dictionary useful.     There are several available, but they will all have many words which are not relevant at this level, so don't be too put off by the jargon!    Geography textbooks cover some of the topics in the Modern Geological Processes unit of the course.     The Geological History of the UK unit is well-served by the general book by Peter Toghill.

Understanding Geology - David Webster, Oliver and Boyd.    ISBN 0-05-003664-5     This is an excellent introduction to the subject and will give you enough information for the most of the AS-level course.

Geoscience - Dee Edwards and Chris King, Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-68843-2     This is a textbook which covers most of the AS and A2 specifications and will be used with the WJEC course.

The Geology of Britain - Peter Toghill, Swan Hill Press. ISBN 1-85310-890-1

Building Stones of Huddersfield and Rocks and Landscapes of Huddersfield are written by the Huddersfield Geology Group for interested amateurs and students. These contain useful information about sedimentary rocks and structures, weathering and building stone identification.     Copies can be bought from the Geology Department of Greenhead College, Waterstones and Tourist Information Offices.     For more information about these two books see our Publications section.

Our Local Geology section contains lots of useful and interesting information about the geology of the Huddersfield district and is based on the Rocks and Landscapes of Huddersfield book.

Examinations

There is no need to feel that you should take the exams.     Many people are very happy to enjoy the course, without taking the exam.     However, the course covers the A-level specification from the WJEC (Welsh Board) and help will be given for those who would like to sit the exam papers in June.     Success in the exams will need perhaps four to five hours per week of your own study time.

The exam papers consist largely of short answers, based on some information that is given.     Samples will be available and homework can be set if anyone would like to practise exam papers.    

  • GL4 module has some short questions and an extract from a B.G.S. map to be interpreted.

  • GL5 covers two units of work that are examined by a short question and an essay for each unit.

  • GL6 is a coursework unit.     Two pieces of coursework have to be completed, both of which must involve the collection of some type of data.    One has to be based on field work and the other on lab work.    These are short pieces of work, only 12 to 15 pages long.    We will do one during the autumn term and one during the spring term.    Coursework is to be completed by the middle of March.

    • A-level exams are available through Greenhead College if you want to take them.     There is an extra cost of about £20 per module and there are 3 modules.     In January or February you will need to decide whether to take the exams.     Exam dates to be announced but usually during the second and third week of June.

    Field Trips

    There is an expectation that students participate in three days of field work during the course.     This can be covered through the Huddersfield Geology Group field trips, or through Greenhead College's student field trips (subject to consultation) or we can arrange some field work of our own in a new area.

    Please phone (01484 608004) or email Alison Quarterman if you have any questions about the course.

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