Department of Marine Sciences

Marine Sedimentology

(1) General

School:	Of the Environment
Academic Unit:	Department of Marine Sciences
Level of studies:	Undergraduate
Course Code:	191ΘΠ2Υ	Semester:	C
Course Title:	Marine Sedimentology
Independent Teaching Activities		Weekly Teaching Hours	Credits
		Total credits	6
Course Type:	Special background
Prerequisite Courses:	None, however knowledge of basics in “Geoenvironment and Oceanography” (1st semester) is needed
Language of Instruction and Examinations:	Greek
Is the course offered to Erasmus students:	YES
Course Website (Url):	https://www.mar.aegean.gr/index.php?lang=en&lesson=1038&pg=3.1.1

(2) Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

The successful completion of this course will provide the student the necessary background to understand the concepts and principles which govern marine sedimentary processes and environments and also to understand physical controls of sedimentation in coastal, shelf seas and deeper sea environments. Furthermore, it is expected to understand the value of an interdisciplinary approach in order to recognize the nature of sediment deposits/processes. The student will be able to make field observations and sampling of recent sediments and perform grain-size analysis of coarse and fine-grained sediments in the laboratory.

General Competences

Search for, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology
Working independently
Team work
Adapting to new situations
Decision-making
Respect for the natural environment
Working in an interdisciplinary environment

(3) Syllabus

The lesson comprises of the following units:

Introduction: sedimentology and Marine Sciences
General sediment characteristics (grain size, color and other textural characteristics) and sediment physical properties
Grain size curves and sediment statistical parameters
Sediment movement on the water column, sediment transport on the seafloor and related bedforms
Classification of marine sediments (terrigenous, biogenic, authigenic, cosmogenous)
Methodologies for the study of recent sediments and sedimentary processes (marine geophysical prospecting and sediment sampling)
Submarine mass movements
Sedimentary environments (continental, coastal and marine)
Marine sedimentary environments in the Hellenic region
Tutorials
Field trips in coastal areas and onboard R.S. “Amfitriti” for sediment sampling and study of different sedimentary environments
Laboratory exercises (grain-size analysis of the field-trip collected samples)

(4) Teaching and Learning Methods - Evaluation

Delivery:

Face to face

Use of Information and Communication Technology:

Use of ICT in teaching (PPT presentations)
Communication with students via e-mail and e-class platform
Uploading course material on e-class system

Teaching Methods:

	Activity	Semester workload
	Lectures	39
	Seminars	16
	Laboratory exercises	5
	Lectures	5
	Tutorials	13
	Practical project	20
	Independent study of the course theory	49
	Final exam	3
	*Course total*	150

Student Performance Evaluation:

Evaluation of students takes place via written exams. The exam paper comprises multiple choices, short-answer questions and exercises. 70% of the final grade stems from the final written examination and 30% from student performance/essays on laboratory exercises.
Essay writing (prerequisite for participation at the exam).
In special cases, for students with disabilities, evaluation takes place via oral exams.
Language of evaluation: Greek.
The exam paper is accessible to the students for clarifications regarding the final grade.

(5) Attached Bibliography

Pdf files of lessons and laboratory exercises notes in e-class
Psilovikos & Ar. Psilovikos, 2010: Sedimentology, published by Tziolas and Sons (in Greek)
Karakitsios, 2001: Stratigraphy, published by Astarti (in Greek)
Leeder, 1999: Sedimentology and Sedimentary Basins, Blackwell Science
Reading, 1996: Sedimentary Environments, Blackwell publ.
Nichols, 1999: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Blackwell publ.
Hsu, 2004: Physics of Sedimentology, Springer
Allen, 1997: Earth Surface Processes, Blackwell Science

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