Skip navigation to main content

You are here: UNE Home / Course and Unit Catalogue / 2010 / A-Z / GEOL120

Sub sections:

Quick Search

Quick Links

Year:

GEOL120 Geology and the Environment II

Updated: 04 May 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Armidale Semester 2 On Campus D - Comp/internet essential
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
09 September 2010 12 September 2010 Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites GEOL110 or GEOS1040
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Kierran Maher (kmaher6@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit provides an overview of the tectonic processes that shape Earth's crust, the principles of sedimentology, palaeontology and stratigraphy, the interpretation of geologic maps, the geology of Australia, the occurrence and origin of natural resources (minerals and fossil fuels), and the application of geophysical methods in geology.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Shrink Wrapped Package(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

Earth: Portrait of a Planet
ISBN: 9780393183658
Marshak, S., Norton 3rd ed. 2008
Note: Package includes: Text (ISBN 9780393111378) and Geotours Workbook (ISBN 9780393932331)
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20%
Assessment Notes
Mapping exercises
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 6
Exercise 15%
Assessment Notes
Practical exercises and tests
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-3 GA: 1, 2, 3, 6
Online Assessment 15%
Assessment Notes
Online Tests
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2 GA: 1, 2
Report 10%
Assessment Notes
Excursion reports
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2 GA: 1, 2, 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2 GA: 1, 2

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. apply basic scientific methods in a geological context;
  2. understand fundamental concepts in stratigraphy, palaeontology, tectonics, Earth resources and geophysics; and
  3. observe, understand and interpret geologic and topographic maps.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are presented with lectures and participate in practical classes that cover a variety of fundamental geoscience topics including plate tectonics, mineralogy, major rock types, weathering and regolith, geomorphology, structural geology and environmental geology. The knowledge and skills acquired from lectures and practical classes are regularly practiced and assessed during field excursions, practical quizzes, scheduled online tests and the final exam. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Written communication skills are assessed in the form of an essay and field excursion reports, and are regularly practiced by the use of online discussion boards. 		True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students are taught about geological processes that occur on a global scale, such as plate tectonics. These aspects are assessed in the online tests and final exam. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are encouraged to seek additional literature to develop a better understanding of topics covered in the unit. 		True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students are encouraged to practice the skills and apply the knowledge they have learnt to their personal and professional development. 		True
6 Problem Solving
Students practice and are assessed on a range of problem solving skills, especially the identification of fossils and ore minerals, interpretation of geologic maps and geological features in the field, and deciphering aspects of the geological history of the New England region during field excursions. 		True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students are taught about the local, regional and global implications of mining and extraction of other economic resources, in addition to the use and environmental and socio-economic aspects of these resources. 		True
8 Team Work
Students are encouraged to work together for certain practical activities, such as rock and mineral identification and mapping exercises. 		True
   

Email to a friend