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Unit outline_

GEOS2116: Earth Surface Processes

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The surface of the planet on which you live is the product of a balance between tectonic forces and numerous agents of erosion. The landscapes in which you live and work, and from which you draw resources, are therefore the legacy of many processes operating synchronously over long time periods. It is also true that Earth's landscapes are dynamic, and constantly changing around you in response to climate, tectonics and patterns of life. The sustainable management of landscapes is strongly dependent upon an awareness of those processes and the ways that they constrain human-environment interactions. In Earth Surface Processes, you will learn how landscapes are produced, and what this means for contemporary land use. Lectures by experts in physical geography, geology, soil science and environmental science will introduce you to the planetary and regional-scale controls on landforms and landscape dynamics, and the nature and distribution of major Australian landscape types. Focussed around 'hands on' field and laboratory-based tasks, students will gain essential practical, analytical and interpretive skills in the analysis of landscapes and earth surface processes that shape them. This is a unit for anyone wanting to better understand the planet on which they live.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GEOS2916 or GEOG2321
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Dan Penny, dan.penny@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Damien Field, damien.field@sydney.edu.au
Willem Vervoort, willem.vervoort@sydney.edu.au
Dan Penny, dan.penny@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Exam
Examination
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO9
Assignment Climate and Denudation: continental flux
Small Practical Report
10% Week 04
Due date: 25 Aug 2023 at 23:59
500-750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Assignment Thermochonology report
Laboratory Report
10% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2023 at 23:59
500-750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Assignment LandLab Report
Small Practical Report
10% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2022 at 23:59
750-1000 words and figures/data
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment Hydrology Lab Report
Small Practical Report
10% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59
300-500 words plus figures/data
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment Soil Lab Report
Small Practical Report
20% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2023 at 23:59
300-500 words, figures/data
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10
Supervised test
? 
Quiz (formative)
Short, multiple-choice quiz.
0% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8

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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by the specific grade descriptors for each assessment task.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by the specific grade descriptors for each assessment task.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by the specific grade descriptors for each assessment task.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, defined by the specific grade descriptors for each assessment task. 

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.

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 1. Introduction, framing concepts; 2. Meta controls: climate (cretaceous to quaternary) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Week 02 1. Meta controls: climate (Quaternary to Holocene); 2. Meta controls: tectonics (dynamic topography) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Climate and Denudation 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 1. Meta controls: passive margin evolution; 2. Geochronology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Climate and Denudation 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 1. Rock to regolith: weathering; 2. Slope processes Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Thermochronology Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 05 1. Sediment transport processes; 2. Glacial geomorphology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Landlab 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 06 1: Coastal Geomorphology A 2: Coastal Geomorphology B Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Landlab 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 07 1. Arid Land Geomorphology A; 2. Arid Land Geomorphology B Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Landlab 3 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 08 1. Fluvial Geomorphology; 2.Hydrological Landscape Classification Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Hydrology Lab 1 Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO10
Week 09 1: Flooding is not always a disaster; 2: Groundwater from ancient to recent Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9
Hydrology Lab 2 Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6 LO8 LO10
Week 10 1: Regolith to Soil; 2: Major pedological processes Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Soil Lab 1 Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 11 Soil Horizonation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Soil Lab 2 Practical (2 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Soil Classification Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO9 LO10
Week 13 Conclusion, Review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: You are required to attend 2 x 1-hour lectures per week, and 1 x 3-hour practical (lab/computer) sessions as
scheduled. A multi-day field excursion will account for 18-27 hours of practical work. Unless otherwise indicated, students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.

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. recognise the major planetary and regional-scale geological, tectonic and climatic controls on landform and landscape dynamics
  • LO2. demonstrate knowledge of common landscape types, how they are classified, and what processes control their distribution and form
  • LO3. recognise and explain the ways that geomorphic processes influence the management of contemporary landscapes
  • LO4. recognise and interpret stratigraphic facies in terms of the geomorphic processes that produce them
  • LO5. develop an understanding of geological time and the various approaches used to date earth materials
  • LO6. demonstrate competency in field and laboratory methods for acquiring data on landform processes
  • LO7. demonstrate a familiarity in the use and application of software tools for spatial analysis and modelling of earth surface processes and landscape types
  • LO8. develop and apply, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to a range of tasks in the classroom, the field, or the laboratory
  • LO9. communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences, using a range of media, complex scientific knowledge, ideas and concept
  • LO10. work safely, co-operatively, and ethically, in groups or as individuals.

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.

Face to face learning and field work has been reintroduced to this unit, class structure and assessment tasks streamlined.

Additional costs

None

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.