GEOLOGY 3008 - Geophysics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Geophysicists are employed in a wide range of industries, including petroleum and mineral exploration, groundwater, contaminants and salinity evaluation, state and government geological surveys, defence science and academic research. This course provides the background for a career in solid-earth, exploration and environmental geophysics. It is split into three sections: (i) seismic methods (ii) electromagnetic methods and (iii) potential field methods (mainly gravity and magnetics). In each section, we start with the underlying mathematical basis and examine applications at global, exploration and environmental scales. The course also involves methods of geophysical data analysis, modelling, visualisation and interpretation through a series of computer laboratories. Students will be introduced to career options through industry visits and involvement with the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The course is aimed at students from a range of numerate scientific backgrounds including geoscience, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer sciences.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOLOGY 3008
    Course Geophysics III
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assumed Knowledge GEOLOGY 2503 or PHYSICS 1100 & PHYSICS 1200 or PHYSICS 1101 or MATHS 1011 & MATHS 1012 or MATHS 1013 & MATHS 2004
    Assessment Assignments, quizzes, exam
    Course Staff

    No information currently available.

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    A succcessful student in this course should be able to:
    1 describe the difference betwen a ptoential field, diffusive field, and a wave field

    2 define the various corrections applied to gravity data;
    3 explain how geophysics is used to predict rock chemistry and/or mineralogy;
    4 discuss advantages and limitations to various geophysical methods with respect to sensitivities and geologic conditions;
    5 discuss the differences between the oceanic and continental lithospheres in a variety of geophysical contexts;
    6 discuss the assumptions applied to Maxwell’s equations and the conditions under which they apply that result in fundamentally different geophysical phenomena;
    7 predict the response of geophysical observations to simplified geological structures;
    8 calculate time and length/depth scales of geophysical fields given an estimate of subsurface properties;
    9 design an appropriate set of geophysical surveys to investigate a potential subsurface target.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-9
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3-5, 7-9
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,4, 6-9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-9
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no formal textbook for this course.

    Notes will be provided via MyUni
    Recommended Resources
    Additional sources for recommended reading may be provided by lecturers on an as-needed basis.

    Texts upon which the lecture notes are loosely based:

    *Feynman Lectures on Physics, volumes I and II, R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton, and M. Sands
    (basic introduction to the math and physical principles presented in plain English)

    Potential Theory in Gravity &Magnetic Applications, R.J. Blakely
    (basic potential theory andspecific applications to gravity and magnetics)

    *The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics, C.M.R. Fowler
    (overview ofmany concepts)

    *Fundamentals of Geophysics, W. Lowrie
    (overview of many concepts)

    ElectromagneticMethods in Applied Geophysics: Volume 2, Application, Parts A and B, M.N.Nabighian (Ed.) (specific applications of EM theory)

    References denoted * are available in the Barr Smith library.
    Online Learning
    It is important that all students maintain active communication throughout the course. The primary communication pathways from the course staff to students are email and MyUni for course-related announcements, teaching material and additional resources.

    The University’s online learning management system, MyUni, will be used to provide students with a variety of learning resources, including (but not limited to) the following:

    • Lecture notes
    • Lecture recordings
    • Problem sets and solutions
    • Tutorials
    • Practical exercises and solutions
    • Links to other websites that may assist learning, such as maths help
    ALL assignments, practicals, and learning resources will be provided electronically. No printed copies will be supplied.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.