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

Earth processes impact every aspect of modern life, from making our energy and mineral resources, to influencing climate, and the evolution of life. Hence, an understanding of planet Earth is fundamental not only to the field of geology but to all fields of science.

This first year unit begins with an introduction to Earth¿s structure and the processes that dominate the outer shell of the Earth and which make our planet unique in the Solar System. We will examine in detail the water and rock cycles, and how the Earth melts, moves, and deforms. This integrated knowledge provides the basis for you to recognise the driving forces that produce volcanoes, mountain belts, rivers and oceans, and an ability to assess modern and future issues such as climate change, natural hazards and sustainable resource management in a more informed scientific manner. As such, this is a foundational unit for further studies in both environmental and earth sciences.

Aims

The unit will provide you with fundamental knowledge of the natural processes that have shaped and continue to shape our planet and how these processes combine to form and modify the environment we live in and the resources we utilise.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will provide evidence that you can:
1. Use appropriate methods of data collection, recording and analysis in the observation and interpretation of geomorphological and geological materials and processes in the laboratory and in the field.
2. Identify and apply the theoretical principles of Earth Science in problem solving.
3. Describe and explain the principal processes and spatial variation associated with Earth systems.
4. Identify, understand and communicate the relationships between Earth resources, environment, and society.

Content

An introduction to Earth Systems science is provided focussing on the large-scale, three-dimensional processes that shape the Earth. This knowledge is then used to assess the geological formation of the landscape and how humans utilise natural resources. The content includes:
- Identifying and concept mapping the key factors that contribute to the major natural cycles that
shape our planet: including the rock cycle, water cycle, carbon cycle and atmosphere.
- The structure of the Earth including the formation, distribution and preservation of the three main rock types (Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary)
- Geological approaches to conceptualise and visualise complex three-dimensional earth systems.
- Natural resource utilisation, specifically exploring the use of natural materials in infrastructure and the extraction and management of water as an important resource for Australia.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lecture/lectorial: 2 hrs/week
Practicals (dry labs W-block): Periodically throughout the semester
Tutorials: 2hrs/week
Field trip: Brisbane CBD

Approaches to teaching and learning includes formal lectures and a series of workshops, which are complemented by field and laboratory based exercises. Lectures provide scientific rationale for the problem solving workshops, which together provide the background for the required field and laboratory studies.

Laboratory and field exercises will be used to develop practical skills in data collection, recording, synthesis and communication, as well as providing the opportunity to observe Earth Science in action. State-of-the-art collaborative teaching spaces will be utilised for research and presentation of scientific ideas, as this will facilitate integrative group discussion and problem based learning strategies. Time will be dedicated in tutorials on acquiring field data and processing the data for a professional scientific report.

Problems addressed in workshops and laboratories will be drawn from the exploration of issues relating to interpretation of depositional environments and emplacement mechanisms from the geological record, the efficient use of finite natural resources and techniques for meaningful scientific observations and data collection.

Assessment

Assessment will include regular identification exercises in preparation for fieldwork (based on rock identifications), a group field study and poster presentation and a field report.In this unit, multiple opportunities for feedback are provided in the collaborative tutorials and practical/field activities and related assessments, including:
- Individual and group feedback on practical and field work including peer review of field work presentations
- Written feedback on rock identification, project and field report.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Identification of rock samples (Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary) including interpretation of their geological and structural context, in the form of an annotated diagram and short written summary. This forms the summative component of a series of identification and evaluation tasks performed during the course of practicals and field work.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

Assessment name: Poster Presentation
Description: Within a group, the student will conduct a short field-based investigative study and report (orally) your group findings to the class ¿ based on a Brisbane CBD study of building stones (as examples of the different rock types). The student is then asked to reflect upon the effectiveness of their data collection and recording methods and hypothesise on how they could improve their techniques.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Exam Period

Assessment name: Project (Applied)
Description: In this assessment you will identify rocks in the field and interpret specicims to make judgements of the geological process. You will record geological data and prepare a field report.
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

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

To be supplied.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.

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: 20-Sep-2012