GEOLOGY 1100 - Planet Earth

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

Volcanoes; the only earth process not trying to kill Australians. Why is it that we have no active volcanoes? Will that always be the case? Why does Australia have earthquakes? Could we have a 10.0 magnitude quake? As Will Durant said "Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice". Enrol in Planet Earth to find answers to these questions. We'll play games of stones, where you'll learn to classify every mineral and rock you're bound to see in your life. Field trips will take us to the coast to see rocks in their natural habitat, you'll learn how to read history from the Earth, and enjoy the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to the real world. Successful completion of this course will allow continuation to Level II Geology courses.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOLOGY 1100
    Course Planet Earth
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week, plus field work
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible GEOLOGY 1104
    Course Description Volcanoes; the only earth process not trying to kill Australians. Why is it that we have no active volcanoes? Will that always be the case? Why does Australia have earthquakes? Could we have a 10.0 magnitude quake? As Will Durant said "Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice". Enrol in Planet Earth to find answers to these questions.
    We'll play games of stones, where you'll learn to classify every mineral and rock you're bound to see in your life. Field trips will take us to the coast to see rocks in their natural habitat, you'll learn how to read history from the Earth, and enjoy the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to the real world.
    Successful completion of this course will allow continuation to Level II Geology courses.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Alan Collins

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    A successful student should be able to:
    1 demonstrate proficiency in practical skills relevant to an introductory geology course
    2 describe the earth's interior, including the structure, composition, and magnetic field;
    3 explain the internal processes acting on the Earth;
    4 describe the theory of plate tectonics and relate this theory to geologic processes and structures such as volcanoes, earthquakes, mountain chains, continents and ocean floors;
    5 understand and describe the formation and physical properties of minerals and rocks and use that knowledge to identify them;
    6 describe rock processes in terms of plate tectonics;
    7 explain earth structures and be able to distinguish three-dimensional rock structures and faults from geologic maps;
    8 use information learned in class and develop observation skills to be able to recognize the various geological features and materials the earth is constructed from in the field.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-8

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 4-8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 5, 7, 8

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1, 4

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1, 5, 7, 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    We will use a free on-line textbook called"Physical Geology" by Stephen Earle.You can access all parts of the book here online or also download chapters.  https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=269

    Because this book is freely available, we will be using materials from it regularly and will prescribe readings at times.

    Recommended Resources
    The reading list for the course on a week by week basis is supplied in the syllabus, which will be uploaded to the MyUni(Canvas) site.
    Online Learning
    Course-related material is available through MyUni(Canvas)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is delivered by the following means:
    • 3 X 1-hour lectures per week (some weeks will have 2 lectures only)
    • 1 X 3-hour practical per week, most weeks
    • possibly a one-day field trip


    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
      Lectures Practicals
    Week 1 How the earth works No practicals
    Week 2 The dance of the lithosphere Plate tectonics exercises (5%)
    Week 3 Moving the plates and making rocks. Start Mineral and Rock properties and identification exercises
    Week 4 Lecture Test 1 (12.5%)
    Bonding, minerals and their structures
    Rock properties and identification exercises
    Week 5 Magmas and igneous rocks Rock ID (Igneous)
    Week 6 Volcano! When theEarth burps
    Igneous rocks and plate tectonics
    Rock ID (Igneous, continued)
    Week 7 Beds and the sands of time. Sedimentary rocks and plate tectonics Rock ID (Sedimentary continued)
    Week 8 Metamorphism: it’s gneiss to be a schist Rock ID (Metamorphic continued)
    Week 9 Lecture Test 2 (25%)
    Stress and strain
    No practical  (Rock ID test now or week 12: (25%)
    Week 10 Deforming the Earth: faults and folds Structure exercises or map exercises Part I
    Week 11 Geologic time Structure exercises or map exercises Part II (10%)
    Week 12 Deforming the Earth and building its mountains Rock ID test (if not taken in week 9) (25%)
    Week 13 Lecture Test 3 (17.5%)
    date tbc Compulsory field work in Victor Harbor area (5%)
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled Earth's Interior practical and field sessions
  • 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Hurdle Weighting Learning Outcome
    Lecture Tests  Summative

    Weeks 2-13

    No 55% 2-8
    Practical tests and practical and field work  Formative & Summative Weeks 2-13 No 45% 1-8



    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled Earth's Interior practical and field sessions. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on this hands-on experience and practice.  Therefore, missing any practical class or field session in a semester without an allowed absence will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Lecture Tests 55%
    Test material comes primarily from lecture materials and assigned readings. The tests will consist of a mixture of multiple choice and short/longer answer questions.

    Practical Tests, practical and field work 45%
    Practical tests will be administered during the semester to assess the learning through this part of the course. Some practicals will be assessed by way of the handed up material. Field work is assessed through the field booklet.
    Submission
    Late Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment
    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.