42414 - Geological Heritage Modulübersicht

Module Number: 42414 - module is no longer offered from WS 2023/24
Module Title:Geological Heritage
  Geologisches Erbe
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. Dr.h.c. (NMU, UA) Schmidt, Michael
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:1 semester
Frequency of Offer: Every summer semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:The module helps the students to develop a set of interdisciplinary tools which will enable them to use the obtained knowledge in practice.

The students will be able to:
  • gain an understanding of the complex processes taking place in the history of Earth
  • investigate the various forms of natural and cultural landscapes in relationship to the geological resources
  • realise the importance of the protection and sustainable development of geotops
  • understand the importance of geological processes and resources for the development of life and culture on different parts of the Earth.
Contents:The course contains 4 parts:

Part 1: Geotops/ Geosites
  • Geological heritage as part of World Heritage
  • Inventory and conservation of Geosites
  • Geosites as a mirror of former life on the Earth
  • Geological features
  • Geological processes forming the landscape
Part 2: Geohazards and World Heritage Protection
  • Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
  • Landslides and erosion processes
  • Weathering and karst processes
Part 3: Springs and Wells
  • Types of springs and wells
  • Water sanctuaries and holy wells
  • The use of springs and wells for water supply
  • Wells as architectural monuments
Part 4: Dimension and Ornamental Stones
  • Kinds of rocks and their formation
  • Texture, structure and other properties of stones
  • The use of ornamental and dimension stones in historical buildings and monuments in different architectural periods
The module includes an excursion demonstrating the use of dimension and ornamental stones in historical buildings of Berlin.
Recommended Prerequisites:None
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Lecture / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Excursion / 8 Hours
  • Self organised studies / 112 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:
  • Script of the lecture
  • Bell, F. G. (1998). Environmental Geology.
  • Coch, N. K. (1994). Geohazards: Natural and Human. Prentice Hall
  • Cameron, B. (1989). Building with Stone. Storey Publishing, LL
  • Maund, J. G.; Eddleston, M. (1998). Geohazards in Engineering Geology. Geological Society Engineering Geology Special Publication 15
  • Pelling, M. (2003). Natural Disaster and Development in a Globalizing World. Routledge
  • Press, F. (2002). Understanding Earth. Freeman and Company
  • Prikryl, R. (2004). Dimension Stone 2004 - New Perspectives for a Traditional Building Material. Taylor & Francis
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • Written case study, 15-20 pages (40%)
  • Oral presentation and discussion about content of the case study, 15 min. (45%)
  • Active participation in class (15%)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • no assignment
Remarks:No offer in summer semester 2023!
Module Components:
  • 248483 Excursion Natural stones of buildings in Berlin
  • 248414 Lecture/Seminar Geological Heritage 
Components to be offered in the Current Semester:
  • no assignment
Follow-up Module/s: Phase-out module since: 09.11.2017
  • without Follow-up Module/s