Outline

Overview

The fields of geology and geophysics play a critical role in securing resources for a low-emissions economy. They are equally relevant in assessing the severity and longevity of modern society's impacts on surface environment, involving complex economic, environmental and societal issues. The unit introduces methods involved in imaging and monitoring the Earth, including gravity, magnetic and seismic methods, applied on land, at sea, and from the air, and covers how these can be used, in combination with geological observations and modern data science methods, to explore for critical metals and to monitor surface environments. These approaches can also be used for mapping the deep structure of sedimentary basins and continental margins, important for understanding groundwater dynamics, carbon sequestration and some natural hazards, including earthquakes and tsunamis. Using the geology of Australia as a natural laboratory, this unit of study presents projects ranging from learning how to create digital ore deposit prospectivity maps to projects tackling environmental issues. Organized in multi-disciplinary teams, students will combine geological and geophysical data with machine learning approaches to explore the information content in the data and understand how this approach can be used to solve practical problems.

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	Dietmar Muller, dietmar.muller@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Skills-based evaluation	Ore Type Practical Practical microscope and hand specimen description and identification	10%	Week 02	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Gravity and magnetic modelling Report on using gravity and magnetic data to model basin structure	10%	Week 05 Due date: 04 Sep 2022 at 23:59	9 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Summative quiz of week 1-6 material Multiple choice and scenario quiz of material covered in weeks 1-6	10%	Week 07	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project Formation Oral presentation of project formation: -Pitch -Demonstration -Lit review	20%	Week 09	15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group project Written report	35%	Week 13	Up to 3000 words excluding figs and refs
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project presentation Oral Presentation of an individual aspect of group project	15%	Week 13	15-20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Earth systems and critical minerals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Recognising ore-forming rocks and minerals	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Earth systems and critical minerals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Recognising ore-forming rocks and minerals	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Subsurface imaging using gravity data	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Gravity modelling	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Subsurface imaging using magnetic data	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Magnetic modelling	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Seismic imaging of sedimentary basins and introduction to surface processes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Surface process modelling	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Surface process modelling: from clastic sediments to coral reefs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Surface process modelling	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 08	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 09	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 09	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 10	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 11	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 12	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Project (3 hr)
Week 13	Group project: minerals/surface environments	Presentation (3 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. recognize geological phenomena as the products of diverse but interlinked processes operating over a wide range of timescales
LO2. develop an understanding of the "Systems" approach to geoscience, which enables effective extrapolation from sparse data sets
LO3. employ geophysical data to assess and define geological processes and features that are remote in space and/or time
LO4. interrogate diverse data types to effectively characterize geological domains in terms of past or future events for the benefit of society, the environment and the resources industry
LO5. apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
LO6. create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes
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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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.

Additional information

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GEOL3888: Earth Systems Research Project

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect