Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces core concepts about how the formation of ocean basins and their influence on climate govern the development of coasts and continental margins. These concepts provide a framework for understanding the geographic variation of coasts, continental shelves and sediment accumulations in the deep ocean. Ocean-basin evolution is explained in terms of movements within the Earth's interior and how these movements determine the geometry of ocean basins, and their alpine counterparts, which interact with the global circulation of the ocean and atmosphere. This interaction plays a key role in marine sedimentation and controls the environmental conditions responsible for the development of coral reefs and other ecosystems. The Unit of Study systematically outlines how these factors have played out to produce, by gradual change, the coasts we see today, as well as the less familiar deposits hidden beneath the sea and coastal lands. The Unit thereby outlines how knowledge of responses to climate change in the past allow us to predict environmental responses to accelerated climate change occurring now and in the future due to the industrial greenhouse effect, but places these responses into perspective against the geological record. Overall therefore, the Unit aims to provide familiarity with fundamental phenomena central to the study of marine geoscience and environmental impacts, introduced through process-oriented explanations. The Unit of Study is structured around GIS-based practical sessions and problem-based project work, for which lectures provide the theoretical background.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	GEOL1501 or GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X02 or GEOS1X03 or BIOL1XXX or ENVI1003
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS2915
Assumed knowledge ?	GEOG1001 or GEOL1001 or GEOL1002 or GEOS1003 or GEOS1903 or ENVI1002 or GEOL1902 or GEOL1501
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Dietmar Muller, dietmar.muller@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jody Webster, jody.webster@sydney.edu.au
	Ryan Holmes, r.holmes@sydney.edu.au
	Dietmar Muller, dietmar.muller@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Climate change in observations and global circulation models Multi-page report with figures and references	20%	Week 04 Due date: 19 Mar 2023 at 23:59	4 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Fundamentals of Oceanography and Climate Change Quiz	15%	Week 05	45 min
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Ocean tectonics, sediments and climate change Quiz	15%	Week 08	45 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Ocean gateways and climate change Multi-page report with figures and references	20%	Week 09 Due date: 30 Apr 2023 at 23:59	5 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Reef growth, sedimentation and prac 2 content Quiz	10%	Week 10	20 min
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Reef logging and sea-level Quiz	20%	Week 13	45 min
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Final exam: If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
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.

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	Climate change, climate feedbacks and the planetary energy budget 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Climate change, climate feedbacks and the planetary energy budget 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Zero-dimensional climate modelling – the planetary energy balance	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Ocean circulation, dynamics, and climate 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Global and regional climate change in observations and CMIP6 models	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Ocean circulation, dynamics and climate 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Global and regional climate change in observations and CMIP6 models	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Ocean tectonics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Ocean gateways and climate change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Ocean sediments	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Ocean gateways and climate change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Climate cycles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Ocean gateways and climate change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	Paleoclimate and paleoceanography: Constraints from geological data	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Ocean gateways and climate change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 09	Extinctions, climate extremes and long-term sea level change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Ocean gateways and climate change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	GCM’s, past and future projections & global climate change impacts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	GCM’s, past and future projections & global climate change impacts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Reef logging and sea level change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Controls on reef growth and sedimentation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Reef logging and sea level change	Practical (2 hr)
Week 13	Coastal morphologies and processes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Reef logging and sea level change	Practical (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

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.

Required readings

Oceans: Science and solutions for Australia, Mapstone, B., 2017, CSIRO.
Introduction to Ocean Sciences, 4th edition, Segar, D.A., 2018, No. 551.46 SEG.

Both books are freely available on the internet and via the Canvas website for the Unit of Study.

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. understand the characteristics of the ocean basins and their adjacent continental margins
LO2. differentiate between typical rock associations from different marine settings
LO3. synthesise sedimentary core data in a paleo-oceanographic context
LO4. understand the basic components of Earth’s climate and ocean system and implications of future model projections
LO5. understand the long-term cycle governing the growth and destruction of ocean basins, and how it relates to long-term climate change
LO6. distinguish between different plate boundary types and the associated tectonic processes
LO7. understand the competing influences on sea level change at different time-scales
LO8. use GIS-type applications
LO9. understand what drives coral reef growth and demise
LO10. understand coastal processes
LO11. understand climate cycles and their drivers at different time scales
LO12. Use a Jupyter notebook and python to analyse time-dependent observations and climate model simulations
LO13. Understand the greenhouse effect and its impact on Earth’s energy budget
LO14. Understand the ocean’s role in transient climate change
LO15. Understand major climate feedback processes
LO16. Understand the ocean’s general circulation
LO17. Understand the impacts of climate change on regional scales

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.

Both lectures and practicals have been restructured in terms of sequence and content based on student feedback

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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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

GEOS2115: Oceans, Coasts and Climate Change

Semester 1, 2023 [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

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

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