Sedimentary rocks contain many of the world's natural resources and cover much of the Earth's surface, record the Earth's history, and contain the fossil record. Sedimentology includes the study of modern sediments such as sand, mud and carbonates and the processes that result in their deposition. Understanding of modern processes is used to interpret ancient sedimentary rocks and sedimentary structures. The module will cover sedimentary fluid dynamics; modern sediments from deserts, rivers, the coast and deep ocean, the differences between siliciclastic and carbonate rocks; biological influence on sedimentary processes and stratigraphy (the study of the physical and temporal relationships between rock layers).