GEOLOGY 1104 - Geology for Engineers I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This is an introductory course on mineralogy, the major rock groups, plate tectonics and the major geological processes, geophysics, structural geology, the fundamentals of ore deposit geology and metallic and non-metallic exploration. The geology of energy deposits (coal, oil shale, petroleum, hot dry rock and uranium) and environmental matters associated with mining will also be dealt with. There will be laboratory-based practicals introducing identification of minerals and rocks, geophysical site investigations, and practicals based on case studies.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOLOGY 1104
Course	Geology for Engineers I
Coordinating Unit	School of Earth and Environmental Sci(Inactive)
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Incompatible	GEOLOGY 1100
Restrictions	Available to B Eng (Civil & Struct), B Eng (Civil & Eng) & B Eng (Mining) & B.Eng (Chemical) & B. Mathematical & Computer Sciences students only
Assessment	Theory exam, practical work (in class), quizzes

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Caroline Forbes

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

After completing Geology for Engineers I, students should be able to:

1. Understanding of basic geological and geophysical concepts and terminology.
2. Basic understanding of geological/geophysical reports.
3. Explain the theory of plate tectonics.
4. Identify basic rock types and the properties of these rocks that an engineer may be concerned with.
5. Understand surface geological processes and how they affect engineering studies.
6. Understand internal geological processes (e.g. faults, earthquakes, volcanoes) and how they affect engineering studies.
7. Know how geophysics is used in engineering site investigation.

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.	4, 5, 6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	4, 5, 6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	4, 5, 6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 4, 5
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1, 2, 7
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	4, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

None

Recommended Resources

The course is mostly based on the text: Earth: Portrait of a Planet (3rd edition) by Marshak, S. Norton & Company. This book reinforces the topics covered in lectures and provides a lot of very helpful additional reading.

Online Learning

Supplementary reading can also be found in the online text: Earth’s Dynamic Systems Web Edition 1.0 by E. H. Christiansen. The textbook is free online and can be found at http://earthds.info/index.html.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course consists of three 50-minute lectures per week. This is the source of most of the information required for tests, quizzes and practicals; many subjects are covered in detail only once and most contain some element of specialized vocabulary or facts.

Workload

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

	Contact time per week	Non-contact time per week
Lecture	3 hours of lecture	1 hour preparation per lecture, 3 hours per week
On-line quizzes (in class)	3 through semester done in prac time	1 hour revision per quiz
On-line quizzes (non-contact)		2 quizzes through semester in non-contact time, 1 hour revision per quiz
Practicals	3 hours practical work most weeks	No preparation time required for practicals
Exam		1 hour revision per lecture, 3 hours per week
TOTAL HRS PER WEEK	Up to 6 contact hours	Up to 7 non-contact hours

Learning Activities Summary

Week	Lecture Topic	Practical Topic
1	The history of planet Earth	(No practical)
2	Introduction to plate tectonics	Plate tectonics
3	Earthquakes and volcanoes	Earthquakes and volcanoes
4	Sedimentary rocks	Minerals
5	Igneous rocks	Sedimentary rocks
6	Metamorphic rocks	Igneous rocks
7	Review lectures	(No practical)
8	Mineral deposits	Metamorphic rocks
9	Structural geology	Mineral deposits
10	Geophysics and drilling	Structural geology
11	Weathering and soils	Drilling technology
12	Water and fossil fuels	Soils

Specific Course Requirements

Attendance at one scheduled practical session per week is Compulsory.

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

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

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Type of Assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle	Outcomes being assessed/achieved
Final Exam	Summative	50	No	3,4,5,6,7
Practical reports (5 in total - 8% each)	Formative/ Summative	40	No	2,3,4,5,6,7
On-line quizzes (5 in total - 2% each)	Formative/ Summative	10	No	3,4,5,6,7

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at practicals is compulsory

Assessment Detail

Practical Reports: (40% of total course grade). Practical reports are completed in the practical sessions and are handed in at the end of the practical or within 1 week of the practical being run. The practical work will be assessed through a combination of formative and summative assessment. Five of the practicals done through the semester will be marked at 8% for each report, the five practicals are chosen from across the course content. Answers for those not marked are posted online immediately after the due date and can be considered as review for exams. They are marked promptly to provide continual feedback to students

Quizzes: (10% of total course grade). Five on-line quizzes will be run throughout semester. Each quiz will be open for one week and will assess lecture material from the previous two to three weeks of lectures. The quizzes will provide immediate feedback throughout the semester.

Final Exam: (50% of total course grade). The final exam is held in the end of semester examinations period. The exam will address understanding of lecture and practical material from the semester.

Submission

Practical work is submitted at the end of most practical sessions. There are no extensions for the practical work as it is to be accomplished during the practical period, and the practicals themselves are compulsory unless approval has been granted on medical or compassionate grounds.

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator