Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Structural geology is the science that examines the causes, evolution, and consequences of the deformation of Earth materials, from the scale of crystal lattices to that of Earth's tectonic plates. Rock deformation is inextricably linked to phenomena and processes of fundamental scientific, societal, and economic importance, for example plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, geomorphology, and the formation of mineral and energy deposits. Therefore, it is a main element of the core curriculum in geology and also highly relevant to other disciplines such as civil, mechanical, and reservoir engineering. This unit equips you with tools essential to the discipline: the ability to (1) describe, quantify, and map structures, (2) manipulate, visualise, and interpret structural data, and (3) understand the mechanical principles of rock deformation.

Aims

This unit introduces you to the fundamentals of structural geology, a key discipline for geologists, geophysicists, physical geographers, and civil, mechanical, and reservoir engineers.

Objectives

Undertaking this unit, you will be able to:

1. Identify, describe, quantify, map, and interpret rock deformation structures occurring on a broad range of length and time scales, both in the field and in the laboratory.
2. Understand the mechanical behaviour of earth materials.
3. Conduct basic geometric, kinematic, dynamic, and energetic analyses of deformation structures.
4. Employ the scientific method to develop problem recognition and solving skills through project design, data collection, and interpretation.

Content

The unit introduces:

• Basics of plate-tectonic theory


• Theoretical introduction to quantitative measures of deformation (transformation, rigid body motion, deformation, strain)


• Practical methods for the determination of strain in the field and laboratory


• Theoretical introduction to the concept of stress


• Simple practical methods to perform stress and strain calculations


• Introduction to fracture mechanics


• Brittle and ductile faults from micro- to plate scales


• Folds


• Boudinage


• Microstructures


• Introduction to quantitative image analysis with respect to structural problems


• Introduction to rock rheology and rock mechanics


• Introduction to continuum mechanical concepts relevant to structural geology and geodynamics

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectures: 1 x 2 hour lectures per week. Lectures are designed to convey the theoretical fundamentals of structural geology. They explicitly foster student participation via discussions.

Practical: 1 x 2 hour practical per week. Practicals have two purposes. First, they will recapitulate, deepen, and discuss the material presented in the preceding lecture. This involves the discussion of continuative reading material given at the end of each lecture. Then, practical methods for solving structural problems are introduced and exercised in a hands-on fashion.

Tutorial: 1 at the end of the semester. This tutorial will reiterate the most important practical techniques learned during the unit. It gives you the opportunity to discuss question before the final written exam.

Field trips: This unit will include 2 1-day and 1 week-long field trips. These fieldtrips will teach you how to recognise, map, and record structures where it really matters: in the field.

Assessment

You will be expected to undertake a number of assessments related to the learning outcomes of this unit (see below).Feedback will be provided to students through consultation with lecturers and/or supervisory staff.

Assessment name: Practicals
Description: The practicals will include both formative and summative assessments. The discussion of the reading material and preceding lecture material will be assessed formatively. Moreover, during each practical, an applied exercise will be handed out. It must be returned to teaching staff three days prior to the following practical and will be assessed summatively.
Due: Three days prior to following practical.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See above

Assessment name: Mapping Report
Description: You will be required to write a mapping report for one of the one-day fieldtrip. It will be assessed summatively.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Final Examination
Description: A final examination at the end of the semester will serve to assess the overall learning success summatively.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required text:
1. Twiss, R. J., and Moores, E. M., Structural Geology, 2nd ed., Freeman

Recommended text:
1. Ramsay and Huber (1983 - 2000): The techniques of modern structural geology, v. 1 & 2
2. Ramsay and Lisle (v. 3): Applications of continuum mechanics in structural geology

References on Limited Access in the QUT Library:
1. Marshak S & Mitra G, Basic Methods of Structural Geology.

Costs:
There are three field trips in this class. The first two are one-day trips near Brisbane. Costs are only for public transport to the site and lunches. The two-week trip remains to be organised.

Risk assessment statement

Geological fieldwork can be strenuous and dangerous. The risks include potential encounters with venomous wildlife, falling from rock outcrops, rocks falling from above, rock chips dislodged by hammer blows, heat exposure, and dehydration. Students will be instructed how to mitigate the dangers and what to do if a problem arises.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 29-May-2012