Outline

Overview

The aim of this course is to introduce students to a variety of Coastal Environments and the major processes which control the morphodynamic evolution of these systems. The course offers a unique opportunity of learning the full spectrum of marine sedimentary environments from siliciclastic, temperate, highly urbanised and impacted estuarine ecosystems to carbonate, tropical, pristine and undeveloped/protected coastal and continental margin environments. The course is divided in three sections: Section A covers the basic morphodynamics and processes impacting carbonate-dominated coastal and continental margin environments. The focus is on carbonate reefal and margin systems and their geologic and biologic responses to past, present and future environmental changes; Section B covers the basic morphodynamics of temperate and tropical coasts, including beach morphodynamics and basic knowledge on waves and currents; Section C consolidates all concepts learnt in the previous sections by applying them to numerical modelling. There is a compulsory weekend fieldtrip to the NSW coast to study beach morphodynamics and fieldwork techniques. Depending on the year, there may be a voluntary fieldtrip to a coral reef environment, for example, The University of Sydney One Tree Island Research Station.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 cp from (GEOS2X11 or GEOS2X15 or GEOS2X16 or GEOS2X21 or BIOL2022)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS3909 or MARS3003 or MARS3105
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jody Webster, jody.webster@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Extended answer questions	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Online quiz Quiz testing knowledge and skills learnt in practs	10%	Week 03	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Online quiz Quiz testing knowledge and skills learnt in practs	10%	Week 05	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Online quiz Quiz testing knowledge of field(s) and practs	20%	Week 09	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Modelling report Written report based on coding exercises	20%	Week 13	up to 10 page report
Outcomes assessed:
= Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Writing task: This assignment will require you to integrate information from lectures and practicals to create a concise written argument.

Quiz: Consisting of multiple choice questions, these quizzes will test your understanding of material covered in that week's practical class. These quizzes need to be completed before your scheduled practical class.

Presentation: This assignment will test how you can explain to your peers the data you have collected and the results from your field trip.

Final exam: The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures and practical classes. The exam will have a mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer questions.

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.

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, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	At D level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
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 understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject
Pass	50 - 64	At P level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
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:

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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	UOS intro; Intro & Why do we care?; Carbonate vs. silciclastic coastal and continental margin environments and processes; Marine sediments & processes 101	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Practical Mod 1 (Intro ARCGIS, bathymetry & sediment data)	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Carbonate sediments & depositional systems in space and time	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Practical Mod 2 (Sea level change, coasts & reefs)	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Advanced methods in the analysis of coastal & continental margin environments	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Coral reefs and climate change: past, present and future	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Practical Mod 3-4 (Core logging, Holocene reef growth & sea level)	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Introduction to coastal field trip and practicals	Practical (3 hr)
	1. Surf zone currents; 2. Estuaries and inlets	Lecture (2 hr)
	Oceanic waves and sandy beaches	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Coastal Field Trip (TBA)	Field trip (12 hr)
	Waves and sediment transport	Lecture (2 hr)
	Processing and analysis of sediment data	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Processing and analysis of wave data	Practical (3 hr)
	1. Coral reef morphodynamics; 2. Estuarine beaches	Lecture (2 hr)
	Research project - data reduction and interpretation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Research project - data reduction and interpretation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Introduction to ocean data science	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Introduction to IPython & Ocean data query	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Modelling of hydrodynamic processes	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Ocean data query for coastal hydrodynamic monitoring	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Long-term evolution of coastal systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Long-term evolution of embayment beaches	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Coral reef modelling & UOS survey, review & examination details	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Coral reef systems modelling	Practical (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. understand the main carbonate-dominated coastal to continental margin environments (including reefs) and the major process influencing them
LO2. relate the different types of reef environments with different physical, chemical and biologic factors
LO3. demonstrate the long term (geologic) development and sedimentary architecture of reefal and deltaic systems in space and time to changes in past climate, sea level and tectonic regimes
LO4. establish the range of likely impacts of predicted future global climate changes on reef systems
LO5. demonstrate techniques in evaluating and interpreting remote sensing data used to characterise coastal and continental margin environments
LO6. demonstrate understanding of coastal processes and the morphodynamics of coastal systems
LO7. define a beach system by its morphodynamic state and associated basic processes
LO8. learn about the nature of wave breaking, transformation and impact on coastal environments
LO9. establish scientific data analysis and interpretation techniques, using PYTHON & MATLAB
LO10. setup, run and analyse data using a numerical model
LO11. develop the ability to identify and evaluate relevant environmental information from written and spoken scientific presentations
LO12. provide guidelines of how to address coastal studies in real-life situations.

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.

We have made several changes in the 3 different components of the unit over the years in response to 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

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

GEOS3009: Coastal Environments and Processes

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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