Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

An advanced integrated course focusing on major Earth processes, explored through field studies and data analysis. Students will develop advanced field skills and integrate datasets to address a geological problem, and present their findings to an applied audience.

Field class in orientation week followed by independent work in Semester 1.

Normally completion of Level 3 Geology courses at a mean of D3.

EARTH4091 - Geological Synthesis and Application

None

Portfolio of field-based activities and data synthesis (66.67%).

Group oral and poster presentation (33.33%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Through the combination of field observations and analytical datasets, the course aims to equip the students with advanced skills in understanding complex geological processes and synthesising, critically evaluating and presenting these data.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe and interpret a range of rock types within an active orogenic setting and determine their mode of formation.

■ Explain the surface and lithospheric processes involved in orogen and basin development, and associated hazards and resources

■ Critically analyse the timescales of geological processes in an active tectonic setting to understand the evolution of ancient orogens.

■ Integrate a range of field evidence and datasets to construct geological models and independently address an applied geoscience question.

■ Synthesise and critically evaluate data and present to an academic and professional audience

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.