GEOLOGY 1103 - Earth Systems I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

This course draws from all fields of geoscience to explore the evolution of Planet Earth. Topics include the evolution of the solar system and the solid earth, the concept of deep time; the Plate Tectonic theory, in which the Earth's plates are colliding, generating earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain belts; the evolution of Earth's atmosphere and oceans; the Earth's climate, including the Earth in space, hydrologic cycle, the carbon cycle and the 'greenhouse effect'; the development and future of our unique Australian landscape and resources.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOLOGY 1103
    Course Earth Systems I
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    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
    Course Description This course draws from all fields of geoscience to explore the evolution of Planet Earth. Topics include the evolution of the solar system and the solid earth, the concept of deep time; the Plate Tectonic theory, in which the Earth's plates are colliding, generating earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain belts; the evolution of Earth's atmosphere and oceans; the Earth's climate, including the Earth in space, hydrologic cycle, the carbon cycle and the 'greenhouse effect'; the development and future of our unique Australian landscape and resources.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Graham Heinson

    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 in this course should be able to:

    1.    Understand how the Earth acts a dynamics ystem, and the concepts of geological time and space;

    2.    Describe the four components of Earth’s system: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere;

    3.    Understand the broad-scale structure of the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere, and  their dynamic evolution;

    4.    Have knowledge of how episodic events change Earth over short time scales;

    5.    Have knowledge of how long-time scale events shape Earth;

    6.    Appreciate the time-scales of naturally occurring cycles;

    7.    Describe the impact of human activity on Earth;

    8.   Appreciate from field observations how Earth acts as a system;

    9.  Collate Earth Systems information to produce a web page project.

    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)
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 8, 9
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 7, 8, 9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1, 8, 9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 9
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-8
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 7, 8
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    A free, on-line text book will be used:

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    The course consists of three 50-minute lectures per week, three hours of practical work every second week and a one-day field excursion. The lectures are the source of most of the information assessed in tests and quizzes and required for practicals. Many subjects are covered in detail only once and most contain some element of specialized vocabulary or facts that are hard to reproduce by reading alone.

    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
    Week Type of learning activity Topic
    Week 1 Lecture Earth System Science
    Practical Lab 1 Earth Systems Science
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 2 Lecture Lithosphere
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 3 Lecture Hydrosphere
    Practical Lab 2 Lithosphere
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 4 Lecture LECTURE TEST 1
    Atmopshere
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 5 Lecture Biosphere
    Practical Lab 3 Hydrosphere and Atmosphere
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 6 Lecture Adelaide and Environment
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 7 Lecture LECTURE TEST 2
    Practical Lab 5: Hallett Cove
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 8 Lecture Geohazards
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity Sellick’s Beach field trip
    Week 9 Lecture Weathering and Landscape
    Practical Lab 5: Geohazards
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 10 Lecture Climate Change
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 11 Lecture Surface Processes
    Practical Lab 6: Climate Change
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 12 Lecture Earth System Science
    Practical No Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Week 13* Lecture LECTURE TEST 3
    Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
    Specific Course Requirements

    This course has a one-day field excursion to Sellicks beach.This trip is compulsory, but fortunately quite fun. There is no charge for transport. The trip will run from approximately 8 am to around 5pm; more details will be provided at the start of Semester 1.

  • 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 taskType of assessmentPercentage of total assessment for grading purposesHurdle (Yes/No)Outcome being assessed
    Practical assessment of learning (follow up quizzes on practicals) Summative 20% No 1-8
    Web-based project Summative 15% No 1,4,5,9
    Field report Sellick’s Beach (or alternative assignment) Summative 5% No 1,3,4,5,6,8
    Theory Tests (3 at 15%, 15% and 30%) Summative 60% No 1-8
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Practicals are compulsory. No practical may be made up if missed, unless on medical or compassionate grounds.

    No test may be taken early or made up if missed, unless on medical or compassionate grounds.

    To pass this course students must:

    • Attain a minimum of 40% for the exam:
    Students who attain a final course grade of at least 45% but do not attain a minimum of 40% for the exam may be offered an Additional Academic Exam during the Replacement/Additional Assessment period, in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.
    Assessment Detail

    Lecture (theory) tests: Test material comes primarily from lecture material, and secondarily from assigned reading. Students may be tested on material that is not in the lecture material, but will be explicitly told what to read. The tests will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short-answer and long-answer questions. The first two tests will be for 40 minutes; the last test for 50 minutes.

    Practical work: Students are enrolled in a particular practical session, and are expected to attend that session. The assessment will follow as a MyUni on-line quiz or short answer exercises based on understanding gained during the practicals. Four (of the five) will be assessed, each is worth 5%.

    Web-based assignment: The MyUni-based group assignment will be in lieu of lecture and practical sessions in week 8. The assignment will be on Earth System processes, and will require background research in groups, and development of on-line content. The content will be marked against criteria that will be clearly given to the students.

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work

    Practical work is submitted at the end of each practical session. There are no extensions for the practical work as it is to be accomplished during the practical period, and the practicals themselves are a mandatory and non-redeemable part of the course. Practicals will be marked and returned or answer keys posted within three weeks of each session.

    The web-based assignment is to be submitted by the due date. There is no late submission or extension possible, unless you make an application on the basis of medical or compassionate grounds.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks

    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/

    Late submission of assessments

    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.