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Unit outline_

GEOS3803: Environmental and Sedimentary Geology(Adv)

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit has the same objectives as GEOS3103 and is suitable for students who wish to pursue aspects of the subject in greater depth. Entry is restricted and selection is made from the applicants on the basis of their performance at the time of enrolment. Students who elect to take this unit will participate in alternatives to some aspects of the standard unit and will be required to pursue independent work to meet unit objectives. Specific details for this unit of study will be announced in meetings with students in week 1 of semester.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A mark of 75 or above in [(GEOS2114 or GEOS2914) and (GEOS2124 or GEOS2924)]
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
GEOS3103
Assumed knowledge
? 

(GEOS1003 or GEOS1903)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tristan Salles, tristan.salles@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Dan Penny, dan.penny@sydney.edu.au
Claire Mallard, claire.mallard@sydney.edu.au
Adriana Dutkiewicz, adriana.dutkiewicz@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final Exam
Examination based on essay questions for each component of the course.
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Assignment Practical reports (module 1)
Laboratory assignment (module 1)
17% Week 05 To be added y the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Assignment Practical reports (module 2)
Practical reports
17% Week 09 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14
Assignment Laboratory assignment (module 3)
Practical reports
16% Week 13 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO9 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18 LO19 LO20
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

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, 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.

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 Prelab briefing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO9
Core logging and sediment description Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Prelab briefing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO9
Magnetic and physical properties of sediment Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Prelab briefing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO9
Biogenic sediment and environmental proxies Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Prelab briefing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO9
Geochemistry and mineralogy Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Review of deltaic systems environment Lecture (2 hr) LO9 LO10 LO11
Modeling impact of sea-level change and delta formation 1 Science laboratory (3 hr) LO8 LO9 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 06 Classification based on modern and ancient analogues Lecture (2 hr) LO9 LO11 LO12
Modeling impact of sea-level change and delta formation 2 Science laboratory (3 hr) LO8 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 07 Sediment transport in deltaic environments Lecture (2 hr) LO9 LO11 LO12 LO13
Modeling deltaic stratigraphic evolution 1 Science laboratory (3 hr) LO8 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 08 Stratigraphic evolution in deltaic systems Science laboratory (2 hr) LO9 LO11 LO12 LO13
Modeling deltaic stratigraphic evolution 2 Science laboratory (3 hr) LO8 LO12 LO13 LO14
Week 09 Introduction to marine geology Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO15 LO16
Marine sediments Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO8 LO15 LO16
Biogenic deep-sea sediments part 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO15 LO16 LO17
Week 10 Biogenic deep-sea sediments (part 2) Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO15 LO16 LO17
Sedimentation on NSW margin Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO9 LO16 LO17 LO18
Ocean chemistry Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO16 LO17 LO18
Week 11 Non-biogenic deep-sea deposits Lecture (2 hr) LO9 LO18 LO20
Carbonate compensation depth reconstruction Science laboratory (3 hr) LO3 LO8 LO16 LO18 LO19
Week 12 Marine carbonates Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO18 LO19
Evaporites Lecture (1 hr) LO9 LO16 LO17 LO19 LO20

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance to lectures and practicals is compulsory unless there is a clash with other UoS, or unless special consideration has been granted. Students must come to the lectures and practicals prepared by reading the lecture notes and pre-lab materials.

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. identify different types of terrestrial sediment facies;
  • LO2. describe the processes responsible for the production and preservation of lithified and unlithified sediment in terrestrial environments;
  • LO3. operate safely in research laboratories;
  • LO4. identify and utilise common techniques for describing and analysing sediment and sedimentary rocks;
  • LO5. design and execute laboratory-based research in environmental sedimentology;
  • LO6. constrain both accuracy and precision in laboratory-based analyses;
  • LO7. decompose and interpret complex data series;
  • LO8. communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work;
  • LO9. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist;
  • LO10. understand and be able to describe the morphologic and stratigraphic evolution of deltaic depositional systems;
  • LO11. understand the processes responsible for shelf and slope sedimentation associated with large deltaic systems;
  • LO12. appreciate the response of deltaic systems to climatic, tectonic and hydrological changes;
  • LO13. recognise allocyclic and autocyclic behaviours of alluvial and deltaic systems;
  • LO14. design and interpret numerical models of fluvio-deltaic systems;
  • LO15. understand and be able to recognise different types of continental shelves and deep-sea sediments;
  • LO16. understand the processes responsible for transporting sediments into and within oceanic basins;
  • LO17. recognise different types of lithogenous, biogenic and hydrogenous marine sediments, where they form and the physical and biochemical conditions under which they form and are preserved;
  • LO18. understand the controls on carbonate and silica production and deposition and their relationship to global carbonate and silica cycles;
  • LO19. correctly classify carbonate rocks and recognise their diagenetic fabrics and thus interpret their deposition settings and diagenetic histories;
  • LO20. correctly classify siliciclastic rocks and recognise their diagenetic fabrics and thus interpret their deposition settings, provenance of clastic components and diagenetic histories;

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.

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

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.