GEOLOGY 3505 - Earth Systems History III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024
-
General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOLOGY 3505 Course Earth Systems History III Coordinating Unit Earth Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites GEOLOGY 2500 or GEOLOGY 2505 Incompatible GEOLOGY 3014 Assessment In-class tests; Assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Juraj Farkas
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
-
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
A succesful student in this course should be able to: 1 demonstrate an understanding of how the sediments and landscapes of the Earth develop as dynamic systems, and how they relate to the concepts of geological time and space; 2 demonstrate an understanding of the key sedimentological and geochemical techniques used to decipher Earth system processes through time; 3 demonstrate an ability to manipulate and interpret geochemical data derived from sedimentary geological materials; 4 demonstrate knowledge of how environmental change has operated on geological timescales to produce the conditions on Earth capable of supporting life; 5 apply basic mathematics to quantify Earth system processes; 6 apply information from sediments to interpret past environments from field observations, geologic and geochemical information; 7 understand the relationship between the geological record and the record of time preserved in sedimentary successions; 8 critically debate a key issue in Earth Systems History, both verbally and through a written report. 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 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.
2, 3, 5, 6 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.
8 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
8 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, 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.
8 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
- 1 x 2-hour workshop per week
- 1 x 5-hour practical per week
- 1 x day field trip held in class time
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 Lecture Practical Week 1 Course introduction; Earth Systems and geological record of
global change - Snowball EarthSedimentary rock review and Earth Systems: Reconstructing the 500 million year history of the Amadeus Basin Week 2 Seismic probing of Amadeus Basin: 3D record of ‘Snowball Earth’ event. Chemical evolution of Earth’s oceans. Marine archives (fossils, sediments) for paleo-seawater studies, and application of isotope chemostratigraphy Week 3 Evolution of Earth’s atmosphere: Redox history, Great Oxidation Event.Australian onshore and offshore depositional systems: Archives of Earth system evolution and energy resources. Tools in sedimentary basin analysis, seismic profiles and principles of sequence stratigraphy Week 4 Reconstructing and modelling the global carbon cycle through the Phanerozoic Introduction to modelling Earth’s climate and carbon cycle Week 5 Lecture Test 1 Hallett Cove fieldtrip (within the hours of the practical session) Week 6 Tectonics and orbital forcing: building and regulating Earth’s Cenozoic icehouse climate Quantitative interpretation of marine isotope records. Week 7 Integrated marine biogeochemical cycles through geological time Issues in Earth Systems History: student presentations on assignment 1 topics (1 hour 20 min per group, each with a different lecturer) Week 8 The evolution of Australia’s land surface Describing and interpreting chemically precipitated minerals and regolith (GSSA Core Library, Tonsley) Week 9 Marine carbonate system, ocean acidification, and novel isotope tracers of weathering and global elemental cycles Aqueous geochemistry: mineral saturation, and isotope box models Week 10 Abrupt change in the Earth System recorded in fossil ice Carbonate sediments and sea level change in the Spencer Gulf (GSSA Core Library, Tonsley) Week 11 Holocene climate and hydrological change and terrestrial sediment records Analysis and interpretation of palaeoclimate timeseries Week 12 Centennial-annual dynamics in the climate system. The role of Earth Sciences in the climate challenge LECTURE TEST 2 Specific Course Requirements
This course has a one-day field trip held in class time. -
Assessment
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
Modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle
Yes/NoOutcomes being assessed/achieved Due date In-class theory tests
2 X class tests
15% and 20% respectively
Online Mini-Tests (5 x 1%)Formative & Summative
Summative35%
5%No
No1-8
2-11Weeks 5 and 13
Weeks 2,4, 7, 9,11Practical assignments (8 x 2% in class; 1 x 5% for field class) Formative & Summative 23% No 1-5, 7-11 Weeks 1-4 and 6-11 Theory assignments
15% each for 2 assignments (including one take home exam); 7% for a group oral presentationFormative & Summative 37% No 1-8 Weeks 8 & 11 Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance at workshops is compulsory. Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a class by submitting the application form with appropriate documentation to the Course Co-ordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/forms/savs-allowed-leaveofabsence-tute-prac.pdf
Assessment Detail
Practical assignments: (23% of total course grade; 2% per practical and 5% for field prac)
During each practical class, an assignment will be set to be handed up at the end of that class. The practicals will be designed to provide training in key skills in sedimentary geology and geochronology as well as manipulation/analysis of geochemical and Earth system data. The practicals will reinforce the theoretical learning from the lectures as well as providing hands on context. One practical will involve field observation and interpretive skills. Another practical (week 7) will entail group presentations by students followed by debate on their chosen topic for Assignment 1, the objective being to stimulate thought and gain feedback from lecturers/peers prior to essay writing.
In-class theory tests: (35% of total course grade; 2 tests, 15% and 20% respectively)
Two tests will be given to address understanding of the lecture and practical material. The first test will be given mid-term to provide the students a benchmark for their progress in the course. The final test will be given at the end of the semester to ensure summative knowledge of course material. The tests will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions and be held during the lecture session in week 5 and the practical session in week 12. Feedback on the first in–class test will be provided by end of week 6.
Online Mini-tests: (5% of total course grade; 5 tests, 1% each)
The online mini-test aim to review the topics and materials covered at lectures and practicals in regular two weeks intervals throughout the semester, specfically during Week 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11. These online mini-test will be ca. 8-10 mins long, consisting of ca. 10-15 questions, which will be in the format of mutiple-choice questions.
Theory assignments: (37% of total course grade; 2 x 15% and 7% for group presentation)
Assignments will be used to stimulate independent research, information synthesis and critical review of key topics within the discipline. They will provide experience and feedback in scientific writing and encourage a deeper conceptual understanding of the nuances of a specific scientific field. Assignment 1 will be preceded by a small group debate around the focus subject, thus encouraging verbal communication and group interaction skills. Assignment 2 is a take home exam consisting of four short summative essays on subjects covered in the course.
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
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
-
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
-
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.