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Unit outline_

GEOL3888: Earth Systems and Resources Project

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

The extraction of natural resources is critical to the Australian economy and to modern technologies but involves complex economic, environmental and societal issues. This unit introduces the multidisciplinary concept of ore deposits, which are the product of complex interactions between rocks, fluids and deformation including, fluid-assisted earthquakes in subduction zones, partial melting of the mantle, magma mixing and the transfer of heat energy and metals into seafloor black smokers where sulphides bodies form. The social license needed for the exploration and mining of these systems demands that economic interests are balanced with environment sustainability and long-term wellbeing of local communities. Using the Geology of Australia as a natural laboratory, this unit of study presents the geology of ore deposits within a social, environmental and global economic context. The unit will employ the mineral system approach combining plate tectonic reconstructions, satellite data, virtual core libraries, geochemical data, field observations and microscopic observations. Organized in multi-disciplinary teams, students will compare known regions of mineralization with potential new mining districts as they address the social and environmental impact of exploration and mining.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
GEOS2X14 and GEOS2X24
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GEOS3102 or GEOS3802 or GEOS3003 or GEOS3004 or GEOS3904 or GEOS3006 or GEOS3906 or GEOS3017 or GEOS3917 or GEOS3903
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Derek Wyman, derek.wyman@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Python introduction
Participation
0% Multiple weeks 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Ore type practicals
Practical microscope and Hnd specimens. Weeks 2 to 6
10% Multiple weeks 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Python task
Skills-based evaluation
10% Multiple weeks 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
In-semester test (Take-home short release) Type D in-semester exam Exam
10 minutes reading time
40% Week 07
Due date: 22 Apr 2021 at 13:20
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Group project
Written report
25% Week 13 ~ 25 page report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group presentation
Oral Presentation
15% Week 13 15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D in-semester exam = Type D in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

At HD level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to an exceptional standard. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects your exceptional ability to apply comprehensive knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in diverse contexts to synthesise multiple advanced insights and produce original solutions for highly complex problems.

Distinction

75 - 84

At D level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to an excellent standard. A ‘Distinction’ reflects your excellent ability to apply well-developed knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in diverse contexts to synthesise multiple insights to produce original solutions for complex problems.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to a good standard. A ‘Credit’ reflects your ability to apply broad knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in a variety of contexts to synthesise insights and produce adequate solutions for routine problems.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to a proficient standard. A ‘Pass’ reflects your ability to apply threshold knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in some but not all contexts to combine insights and produce basic solutions for routine problems.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assignments must be submitted by the due date. Students are expected to manage their time and to prioritise tasks to meet deadlines. Assessment items submitted after the due date without an approved extension using a special consideration or special arrangement form or request will incur penalties. If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to arrange a simple extension. A simple extension is an informal arrangement between you and your unit of study coordinator. You may be able to receive an extension of up to two working days for non-examination tasks, as outlined in clause 66A of the Coursework Policy 2014. If you need an extension for a longer period, you may be eligible to apply for special consideration. sydney.edu.au/students/simple-extensions

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Tectonics vs Ore Deposits; Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to Reflected Light Microscopy Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Volcanogenic massive sulphides & SEDEX Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulphide, SEDEX Deposits Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Convergent Margins, Granites & Porphyries Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Porphyries, Skarns, & Epithermal Deposits Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Orogens, Vein Gold Deposits, and gold placers Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Orogenic (Lode) Gold Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Mississippi Valley, Irish, and Cobar Deposits Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
MVT, Irish & Cobar Deposits Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Iron Formation U-Pyrite placers Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Intro to GitHub, Jupyter Python Practical (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 Python Programming Computer laboratory (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 08 Python Arrays, Functions, Loops, Libraries Computer laboratory (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Python Arrays, Functions, Loops, Libraries Computer laboratory (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 09 Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Exploring for Mineral Systems Project (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. distinguish the products of mineralization processes and recognize the relevant ore deposit system associated laboratory specimens or natural ore deposit occurrences
  • LO2. assess terrane type to accurately infer the range of potential ore deposits that it contains
  • LO3. interrogate diverse data types for a terrane to effectively prioritize districts and develop the capacity to effectively employ modern geophysical, geochemical and isotopic tools in district-scale exploration
  • LO4. apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
  • LO5. create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes
  • LO6. develop a firm understanding of Industry Codes of conduct Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams
  • LO7. collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to the project problems
  • LO8. communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Project content has been revised based on 2019 experiences. More web-based options for the project.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.