Key facts
UNE unit code: GEOL110
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
Have you ever wanted to know how our planet came to be? From archaeology to agriculture, geography to biology, an understanding of our planet adds an invaluable dimension to your knowledge across many scientific disciplines.
This unit offers you a broad introduction to important questions about how our planet works, what it is made up of, and why.
With opportunities to delve into Earth’s life history, you will learn about the geological forces that have shaped life on earth, and the planet, as we know it today.
You will build a foundation in the key principles of geology, learning about its influence on life, water, soil and environmental issues in a rapidly changing world.
Exploring the solid earth through geological time and space, you will examine Earth’s gross structure, plate tectonics, volcanism, earthquakes, the materials that make up Earth’s crust and the processes by which these materials are formed.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
| Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 4 days | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
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.
Students who do not attend the non-mandatory intensive school will complete the assessment task titled ‘Practical (Invigilated)’ in Week 9 of the trimester and the assessment titled ‘Geological Assessment’. These assessments are in addition to the assessments titled ‘Online Quizzes’ and ‘Practical (Non-invigilated)’.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad technical and theoretical knowledge of fundamental concepts in geology including stratigraphy, palaeontology, tectonics, geologic structures, metamorphism, natural hazards and mineral and energy resources;
- identify the most common rocks and minerals and understand processes leading to their formation/occurrence;
- understand and interpret geologic and topographic maps; and
- communicate geoscientific information to others using written and verbal formats.
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.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geological Assessment - Assurance Task - On-Campus Students | Yes | 25% | Trimester 1, On Campus, Armidale Campus | *Please Note: Online students who attend the non-mandatory intensive school complete the On-Campus Assessment Tasks. Field trip exercise that caters for both virtual/online completion or a fieldtrip that students will attend in person. The assessment will involve understanding processes and interpreting rocks in the field, building a geological map and history of the field area.
No. Words: 2000 To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across both Assurance Tasks, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Geological Assessment - Assurance Task - Online Students | Yes | 25% | Trimester 1, Online; Trimester 3, Online | *Please Note: Online students who attend the non-mandatory intensive school complete the On-Campus Assessment Tasks.
No. Words: 2000 To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across both Assurance Tasks, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Online Quizzes - Online and On-Campus Students | Yes | 20% | All offerings | A series of quizzes that examine the unit content. |
| Practical (Invigilated) - Assurance Task - On-Campus Students | Yes | 25% | Trimester 1, On Campus, Armidale Campus | *Please Note: Online students who attend the non-mandatory intensive school complete the On-Campus Assessment Tasks. An invigilated assessment to test the knowledge of basic rock and mineral identification and basic geological concepts. No. Words: 1500 |
| Practical (Invigilated) - Assurance Task - Online Students | Yes | 25% | Trimester 1, Online; Trimester 3, Online | *Please Note: Online students who attend the non-mandatory intensive school complete the On-Campus Assessment Tasks. An invigilated assessment to test the knowledge of basic rock and mineral identification and basic geological concepts. There is a supervised Practical (Invigilated) during the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The Practical (Invigilated) will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. |
| Practical (Non-Invigilated) - On-Campus Students and Online Students | Yes | 30% | Trimester 1, On Campus, Armidale Campus; Trimester 1, Online; Trimester 3, Online | A series of practicals and field trips. For online students who do not attend the non-mandatory intensive school, the practicals and assessments are all online and a rock and mineral kit will be loaned to complete these assessments. |
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.
Earth: Portrait of a Planet, 7th International Student Edition
ISBN: 9780393882766
Marshak, S., W. W. Norton 7th ed. 2022
Text refers to: All offerings
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