GEOLOGY 2502 - Igneous and Metamorphic Geology II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

This course is designed to give a fundamental background in mineralogy (mineral chemistry, classification and structure) and in the origin, occurrence, identification and classification of igneous and metamorphic rocks. It includes examination of minerals and rocks in hand specimen and thin section.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOLOGY 2502
    Course Igneous and Metamorphic Geology II
    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
    Prerequisites GEOLOGY 1100
    Assessment Practical work, examinations, written assignments
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Carl Spandler

    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 Demonstrate proficiency in practical skills relevant to igneous and metamorphic geology
    2 Explain the basic principles of crystallography and mineralogy
    3 Identify and classify the common rock-forming minerals in igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand sample and thin section
    4 Identify and classify the common igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand sample and thin section
    5 Know and understand the basic classification schemes for igneous rocks
    6 Explain the basic processes for the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks
    7 Identify how the chemistry, structure and texture of a rock can be used to interpret past geological processes and the history of the earth
    8 Work in small groups to research and collate information on a given topic to gain an understanding of geological processes
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-8
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    5-8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-8
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    This course highly recommends the following texts and other resources:

    Access to textbook:
    Klein, C. & Philpotts, A. (2013) Earth Materials: introduction to mineralogy and petrology. Cambridge University Press,  pp. 533 ISBN 978-0-521-14521-3

    Free online course from Open University  http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/introduction-minerals-and-rocks-under-the-microscope/content-section-0?active-tab=content-tab

    Hard and Electronic copes of Klein and Philpotts are available through the University of Adelaide Library. Klein and Philpotts provides a close match to the mineralogy and basic igneous and metamorphic petrology aspects of the course while Winter (see Recommended Resources) provides more in-depth discussion of various aspects of igneous rocks (in particular) and is the course textbook for Igneous and Metamorphic Geology III (GEOLOGY 3016).


    Practical material
    The following equipment is required for all Practical Sessions.
    1. Hand lens (10x magnification)
    2. writing implements

    Recommended Resources
    Access to Textbook:
    WINTER, J.D. (2008) Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2nd edition). Prentice Hall, pp. 766. ISBN 0-321-59257-3.

    Winter is available as hard copy through the University of Adelaide Library.
    Online Learning
    Additional course-related material is available through the new online course webpage, MyUni(Canvas).  MyUni(Canvas) is the primary form of communication with students in the course and hence students should regularly check the  website for important course-related announcements.  Teaching materials, reminders and course documentation will also be posted on this site. 


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:
    • 1 x 2- hour and 1 x 1- hour lecture each week
    • 1 x 4-hour  practical each week
    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 Practical
    Week 1 Introduction & Minerals Revisited
    The Structure of Minerals
    Crystallography
    mineral/Igneous rock review
    Week 2 The Chemistry of Minerals
    Mineral Groups based upon Chemistry
    Optical Properties of Minerals
    Optical Petrography (formative assessment)
    Week 3 Growth and Stability of Minerals
    Growth and Stability of Minerals (cont.)
    Determination of Minerals
    Optical Petrography (5%)
    Week 4 Lecture exam 1: Mineralogy (15%) Optical Petrography (5%)
    Week 5 Introduction to igneous rocks and melting the mantle Phase Diagrams (5%)
    Week 6 Magma generation and differentiation
    Diversification, Differentiation, Assimilation and Crystal Fractionation
    Igneous Petrography
    Week 7 Mid-ocean ridge volcanism, oceanic intraplate and flood basalsts, continental arcs an volcanism  Igneous Petrography
    Week 8 Granitoids, continental alkaline magmatism, the tectonic setting of magma Igneous Petrography (10% for weeks 7 & 8)
    Week 9 Lecture exam 2: Silicates and Igneous Geology (25%)
    What is metamorphism?
    Key Concepts in Metamorphism
    Metamorphic rock ID review and petrography
    Week 10 Styles and Controls of Metamorphism
    Progressive Metamorphism

    Metamorphic Petrography (5%)
    Week 11 Mineral Assemblages in Metapelites
    Mineral Assemblages in Metabasalts
    Fluids in Metamorphism

    Metamorphic Petrography (5%)
    Week 12 P-T Paths, and their Assemblages

    Metamorphic Petrography (5%)
    Lecture test 3: Metamorphic Geology during examinations period (20%)
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled Igneous and Metamorphic Geology practical  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 Percentage of assessment for grading purposes Hurdle
    (Yes/No)
     Due date Learning Outcome being assessed/achieved
    Short exams Summative

    60%

    No 1,4,5,6
    Practical work Formative and summative 40% No end of practicals weeks 3-5, 8, 10, 12 1-7
    Assessment Related Requirements

    The following course rules apply to Practical Class attendance and its associated assessment:


    1. All Practicals will be marked, and are required to be completed and handed in within the Practical Session.

    2. You are allowed to miss one Practical Class during the course without explanation.  However you are still required to complete that Practical in your own time, and it must be handed in by 5pm Friday of the week the missed Practical was scheduled.  Failure to hand the Practical in by that dead line will result in a score of zero for that Practical.

    3. If you miss a second (or more) Practical, you will be required to complete a reason of absence form coupled with the associated evidence of the reason (e.g. medical certificate).  That information must be sent to the Lecturer/Course Coordinator for approval.  You will still be required to complete the Practical with a hand in date to be determined by the Lecturer/Course Coordinator.  Failure to hand in a revised deadline Practical will result in a score of zero for that Practical.

    4. If you are undertaking the course again after a previous attempt(s), you must not use previous practical sheets, answer keys or any material from previous versions of the course in the execution of Practicals.  Use of such material will constitute plagiarism.

    5. If you miss more than one Practical without explanation, it will result in grade of FAIL being recorded for the course irrespective of your other marks in the course.

    Assessment Detail
    Theory assessment (60% of total) 
    Will consist of three short exams, for a total of 60%. Two exams will be scheduled in lecture slots in the course of the semester and the final exam will be scheduled during the end of year exam period.


    Practical work (40% of total) 
    Practical work will be assessed throughout the course. We'll provide formative assessment and feedback during the review of 1st year geology and during the introduction to microscopes. Some weeks you will hand up practical work at the end of prac session. It will be marked and returned the following week. This will provide you with the feedback you need to perfect your petrographic techniques over the course of the semester.
    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.

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