Key facts

UNE unit code: GEOL206

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • Yes
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Add to your geology toolkit and hone applied skills that will help you to stand out in careers spanning a range of earth and environmental science disciplines.

This unit introduces you to sedimentary rocks, past and present sedimentary environments and stratigraphic principles.

Guided by experts in the field, practical classes provide you with hands-on experience in identification of sedimentary rocks and textures, developing your skills in hand specimen, thin section and stratigraphic correlation.

In this unit you will have opportunities to learn about and use field mapping tools and techniques.

As you explore the applications of the state-of-the-art remotely sensed imagery and learn to identify sedimentary rocks and geological structures, the unit will give you a taste of what work in the field is really like.

Study with UNE’s world-class earth scientists.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

StartFinishDurationAttendanceOfferingsNotes
TBATBA6 daysMandatory Intensive SchoolAll offeringsThe intensive school is mandatory for both online and on-campus students. This intensive school contains a field trip. The off-campus intensive school may incur additional expenses, for further information please contact the unit coordinator. In addition, students will be responsible for travel to and from the intensive school as well as all meals.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
GEOL120 or GEOS1050 (offered at the University of Newcastle) or candidature in a postgraduate award

Notes

The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of John Paterson
John PatersonProfessor of Earth Sciences (Palaeontology) - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Environmental and Rural Science

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. competently use and interpret topographic and geologic maps and aerial imagery;
  2. perform basic geological field mapping with a variety of techniques and interpret simple geological structures;
  3. identify common sedimentary rocks and interpret key facies and depositional environments;
  4. identify common sedimentary rock-forming minerals and textures under the microscope; and
  5. critically analyse data and derive solutions to complex problems autonomously and as part of a team.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Fieldwork and Laboratory Exercises - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

Intensive School work:

  • Laboratory exercises 15%
  • Field component of geological mapping 20%
  • Cross Section 5%
  • Stratigraphic column: 5%
  • Geological history 5%

No. Words: 2000

To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit.

Online QuizzesYes20%All offerings

A series of quizzes.

No. Words: 500

PracticalYes All offerings

The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all of these classes/sessions is considered mandatory, regardless of whether these are delivered online or in person. Exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.

TutorialsYes30%All offerings

A series of Tutorial and Practical exercises.

No. Words: 1000

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Geological Field Techniques

ISBN: 9781444330625

Coe, A.L. and others, Wiley-Blackwell 2010

Text refers to: All offerings

Sedimentary Petrology

ISBN: 9781118786499

Tucker, M. E. and Jones, S. J., Wiley 4th ed. 2022

Text refers to: All offerings

Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Atlas of Sedimentary Rocks Under the Microscope

ISBN: 9780582301184

Adams, A.E., MacKenzie, W.S. and Guilford, C., Longman 1984

Text refers to: All offerings

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