GEOS3101: Semester 1, 2021

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Units GEOS3101 Semester 1 2021 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

GEOS3101: Earth's Structure and Evolution

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

The Earth's crust and upper mantle, or lithosphere, are a consequence of dynamic and thermal processes operating since the beginning of the Archaean. This unit focuses on information and techniques that enable an understanding of these processes. The main topics presented in this unit include: the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere; tectonic deformation, magmatism and metamorphism at plate boundaries; and the mesoscopic and microscopic analysis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Practical classes and field exercises are designed to enable students to competently and independently identify the common crystalline rocks in hand-specimen; and to gather and interpret the structural field data which enables the determination of the structural style and deformational history presented in particular tectonic settings. The concepts and content presented in this unit are generally considered to be essential knowledge for geologists and geophysicists and provide a conceptual framework for their professional practice. Students wishing to specialise in the field and become professional geologists will normally need to expand upon the knowledge gained from this unit and either complete an honours project or progress to postgraduate coursework in this field.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(GEOS2114 or GEOS2914) and (GEOS2124 or GEOS2924)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS3801 or GEOS3003 or GEOS3903 or GEOS3004 or GEOS3904 or GEOS3006 or GEOS3906 or GEOS3017 or GEOS3917
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Patrice Rey, patrice.rey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Patrice Rey, patrice.rey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vasileios Chatzaras, vasileios.chatzaras@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam Online exam - 10 minutes reading time	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 1 Report	2%	Week 02	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 2 Report	2%	Week 03	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 3 Report	2%	Week 04	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 4 Report	2%	Week 05	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Summative 1 Skills-based evaluation	10%	Week 07	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 5 Report	2%	Week 08	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 6 Report	2%	Week 09	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 7 Report	2%	Week 10	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Formative 8 Report	2%	Week 11	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Demonstrations Video presentation	24%	Week 12	4-5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Summative 2 Skills-based evaluation	10%	Week 12	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Video presentation: Students will work in groups of 3 to deliver a video presentation on a subject of particular interest to them and integrating observation from the South Coast Excursion.

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.

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	Heat generation and transfer	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Heat generation and transfer	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 02	Isostasy and vertical motion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Isostasy and vertical motion	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Gravitational forces and horizontal flow	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Gravitational forces and horizontal flow	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 04	Tectonic forces	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Tectonic forces	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	South Coast excursion	Field trip (32 hr)
Week 06	Notions of rheology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Notions of rheology	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Deformation mechanisms: from mineral to lithosphere	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Deformation mechanisms: from mineral to lithosphere	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Electron microscopy and microanalysis in tectonics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Electron microscopy and microanalysis in tectonics	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Decoding metamorphic rocks	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Decoding metamorphic rocks	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Metamorphism at subduction zones	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Metamorphism at subduction zones	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Metamorphism in collisional orogens	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Metamorphism in collisional orogens	Science laboratory (3 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.

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. explain why the temperature at a particular location in the continental crust may change through time; know the various terms defining the steady-state geotherm; explain the impact of temperature on the density and the strength of rocks
LO2. analyse surface geology to identify the various tectonic regimes and how they may affect the temperature and pressure evolution of the continental crust
LO3. apply the principle of isostasy to calculate the gravitational force acting between two regions; understand and calculate the tectonic forces acting on the Earth’s lithosphere
LO4. reflect on why earthquakes tend to be over-represented in the upper crust and demonstrate how this observation relates to the rheology of rocks
LO5. when presented with a geological problem, observe and interpret the key geological data and relationships and provide a valid explanation or interpretation
LO6. identify common rock-forming minerals (magmatic and metamorphic) in hand specimen and thin sections; interpret common mineral textures, finite strain fabrics, kinematic indicators, and the relative timing of mineral growth and fabric development
LO7. understand the tectonic, metamorphic and geochemical processes involved in key geodynamic settings, their products and be aware of assumptions underlying their interpretation
LO8. use computers effectively to process, visualize and analyze data, and perform simple numerical calculations
LO9. work collaboratively in a multi-cultural team environment
LO10. write concise technical reports; present engaging scientific oral presentations; design and deliver effective multimedia podcasts.

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.

Some changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Additional costs

The cost of the South Coast Excursion is $250 inc GST.

Work, health and safety

Physical requirements: These are similar to those expected for daily walks in a National Park in a coastal region. This includes walking 4 to 6 hours per day on sandy beaches and uneven terrains, climbing steep hills and walking down steep slopes.

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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