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GEOL303 Environmental and Exploration Geochemistry

Credit Points 6
Offering Not offered in 2010
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
N/A N/A Mandatory includes two-day field excursion - offered in alternate odd numbered years
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites GEOL120 or GEOS1050 and CHEM120 or CHEM120A and 6cp at 200-level in CHEM or GEOL or GEOS
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes

offered off-campus in odd numbered years
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Kierran Maher (kmaher6@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

Theory and practice of chemical analysis. Exploration geochemistry; environmental geochemistry; trace element geochemistry; applications of stable and radiogenic isotopes. Practical work includes field projects in exploration and environmental geochemistry; chemical analysis of rocks; seminars; assignments; computer-assisted learning.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

The Environmental Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits
ISBN: 9781887483506
Plumlee, G.S. and Logsdon, M.J. (Part A); Filipek, L.F. and Plumlee, G.S. (Part B), Society of Economic Geologists Inc. 1999
Text refers to: Semester 2 , 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 30% 1500
Assessment Notes
Practical assignments
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 2, 6
Assignment 2 20% 1000
Assessment Notes
Problem sets of data analysis
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 2, 6
Report 20% 1500
Assessment Notes
Excursion report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 30%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 2, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Understand theoretical and practical aspects of geochemical analyses of geological materials, streamwater, rock and sediment and express this verbally and thorugh written means
  2. Apply sampling techniques in practice
  3. Apply sample preparation techniques and understand their limitations
  4. Understand the limitations in data interpretation due to sample density and contamination issues
  5. Interpret and present geochemical data and explain the distribution of data and identification of geochemical anomalies verbally and in written reports.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students receive discipline knowledge through lecture, eReserve materials, and online readings. They focus on learning the geochemical behavior of different elements under different physicochemical conditions, and the processes which disperse and concentrate elements in the natural and urban environment. They are assessed on their acquisition of the concepts delivered during the semester in practical assignments, written reports, verbal presentations and online activities 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will develop and improve communication skills through verbal delivery (critiqued) and written reports and exams. Students are to be able to express acquired knowledge and personal observations in written reports and on exams 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Not explicitly addressed although the students will be able to recognize the local, regional, and global issues associated with environmental problems in geology, and how these issues affect society even distal to the source of contamination 		True
4 Information Literacy
: Students are taught to utilize different sources of information (e.g., online resources, foundational literature) to develop ideas relating to the discipline and then express their discoveries by written communication in research reports, verbal presentations and written exams 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students will be able to reflect on limitations of, and have the capacity to evaluate their current knowledge as they are assessed on practical work. They will be presented with readings, lectures and applied practicals which will help them evaluate their understanding of geochemical problems, sampling issues and the interpretation of data. These skills will be of great value in future work experience in the environmental industry 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students should be able to apply logical, critical and creative thinking to problems relating to environmental contamination and geochemical exploration. They will be assessed on this knowledge in practical tests and exams. They should be able to identify critical issues in the practice of the discipline through exposure to practical experience and field excursions, including sampling strategies and data interpretation 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will be able to recognize the environmental and social implications of mineral extraction and municipal contamination in their communities, and their social responsibility in their potential future role in environmental investigations and remediation 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will learn co-operatively as they work through practical material in groups/teams. They will be able to recognize value of team work and also the difficulties associated with it 		True
   

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