Coal Geology

School  Natural Sciences
Academic Unit
 Geology Department
Level of Studies
 Undergraduate
Course Code
 GEO_703E
Εξάμηνο σπουδών  6ο
Course Title
 Coal Geology
Independent Teaching Activities
 Lectures, seminars, laboratory work
Weekly Teaching Hours
 2 (lect.) + 1 (lab.) + 1 (tut.)
Credits  3
Course Type
 Field of Science and Skills Development
Prerequisite Courses
 Typically, there are not prerequisite courses. Essentially, the students should possess knowledge provided through the theoretical courses Mineralogy, Petrology, Geochemistry, Tectonics, Sedimentology.
Language of Instruction & Examinations
 Greek
Is the Course offered to Erasmus Students
Υes, in English
Course Web-Page (URL)  https://eclass.upatras.gr/courses/GEO374/
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course the student will

  • Have a spherical view of the geology of peat and coal deposits and the factors controlling their formation.
  • Be acquainted with the methods and techniques applied in the exploration and the exploitation of peatlands and coal deposits.
  • Be aware of the major world and domestic peatlands and coal deposits.
  • Be able to assess the potential environmental impacts from the use of peat and coal.

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following skills:

  • Ability to exhibit knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, theories and applications which are related to peat/coal formation.
  • Ability to apply this knowledge and understanding to the solution of problems related to peatlands and coal deposits.
  • Ability to adopt and apply new methodologies/techniques to solve problems dealing with the peat/coal exploration.
  • Study skills needed for continuing professional development.
  • Ability to interact with others in geological or interdisciplinary problems.
General Competences

Generally, by the end of this course the student will have developed the following general abilities:

  • Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
  • Adaptation to new situations
  • Decision making
  • Autonomous (Independent) work
  • Group work
  • Exercise of criticism and self-criticism
  • Promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking
  • Respect to natural environment
  • Work design and management
Syllabus
  • Origin of coal.
  • Peat-forming controls.
  • Coalification.
  • Types and components of coal.
  • The coal deposit.
  • Coal exploration
  • Exploitation, reserves, production, utilisation
  • Coal deposits in Greece
  • Environmental Impacts
Delivery  Lectures, seminars and laboratory work face to face. 
Use of Information & Communication Technology
 Use of Information and Communication Technologies (e.g. power point presentations) in teaching. The lectures content of the course for each chapter are uploaded on the e-class webpage of the University, in the form of a series of pdf files; the students can freely download them using a password.
Teaching Methods
 
Activity Semester workload
Lectures (2 conduct hours per week x 13 weeks)  2 X 13 = 26
Laboratory work (1 conduct hour per week x 13 weeks)  1 X 13 = 13
Tutorial   1 X 13 = 13
Hours for private study of the student and preparation of home-works 23
 Total number of hours for the Course 75 
 Student Performance Evaluation
  1. Exercises
  • During the semester the students have to do homework; the exercises have to be given to the teaching staff on time. This is the basic prerequisite for allowing participation in the final examination.
  1. Final Examination, including
  2. Written examination after the semester end, including questions of short and extended replies, diagramme interpretation etc. The mark of the written examination constitutes 50% of the final mark
  3. Oral examination on the microscope including
  • Determination of macerals.
  • Questions on the origin of the certain macerals.

The mark of the oral examination constitutes 50% of the final mark.

Minimum passing grade:  5.
Attached Bibliography

Suggested bibliography:

  1. Christanis K., 1998. Coal Geology. Textbook, University of Patras.
  2. Diessel C.F.K., 1995. Coal-bearing Depositional Systems. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
  3. Taylor, G.H., Teichmüller, M., Davis, A., Diessel, C.F.K., Littke, R., Robert, P., 1998. Organic Petrology. Gebrüder Borntraeger, Berlin.
  4. Thomas, L., 2012. Coal Geology. 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell.

Related academic journals:

  1. International Journal of Coal Geology (https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-coal-geology).