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

Understanding our Earth and its history is an amazing scientific challenge. The position of the planets, including Earth, and their satellites in the solar system defines their character, composition and ability to sustain life. The record of life on Earth interpreted through fossils provides information about evolution, changing levels of biodiversity, and biotic interactions with the physical environment through geological time. To understand our present diversity, it is fundamentally important to understand the geological events that shaped the history of life. This unit is an introduction to geological time, planetary science and palaeontology (the study of fossils). As such, this is a foundational unit for further studies in both environmental, biological and earth sciences.

Aims

The unit provides you with knowledge on the fundamental principles of geologic time and an appreciation of the formation and interaction of geological events, the atmosphere, oceans and life.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will provide evidence that you can:
1. Identify and describe the key concepts of geological time and historical geology.
2. Critique the driving forces behind the evolution of life on Earth.
3. Utilise the fossil record and their distribution in sedimentary rocks to interpret past environments
4. Critically reflect at an introductory level on long-term and short-term planetary change
5. Creatively and effectively communicate with a non-technical audience.

Content

Time is what sets Earth sciences apart from the other fields of science and an appreciation of the immensity of geological time is fundamental to an understanding of both the physical and biological history of our planet. To comprehend geologic time this unit includes:
- An appreciation of the basis of the geologic time scale
- The processes that led to the formation of our planet and the origin of life
- The study of fossils as a record of the evolution of life on Earth.
- Examining the geologic record to interpret past climatic changes.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Lectures: 2 hrs/week
Tutorials: 2 hrs/week (collaborative learning spaces)
Laboratory practicals (dry labs W-block): throughout semester

This unit includes formal lectures and a series of tutorials that are complemented by laboratory based exercises. Lectures provide scientific rationale for the tutorials, which together provide background for the laboratory studies.

Active learning (applying theory to practice) is encouraged through hands-on practical activities in the collaborative learning space tutorials and dry laboratory practicals.

Weekly collaborative group activities linked to assessment (mini research tasks and writing a media release linked to the Queensland Museum¿s fossil discovery records) will develop your professional skills of research and inquiry, and communication to scientific and non-scientific communities. Opportunity for peer review will give additional support to develop scientific writing, communication and review skills.

Two short in-semester quizzes are conducted in approximately weeks 4 and 8. Quizzes are undertaken individually to examine your understanding of fundamental concepts of the geologic time scale, planetary processes and the fossil record. Quizzes are assessed within peer groups and form part of the final portfolio.

Assessment

1. Portfolio: How has Earth evolved through time? (collection of lab practicals, research on Australian examples of fossils for each studied time period and two in-semester quizzes)

2. Media release linked to Qld Museum on the significance and importance of a new fossil discovery.

3. Final exam, comprising short and long answer questions to test your understanding of concepts covered during the semester.You will have multiple opportunities for different kinds of feedback throughout the semester including:
- Opportunity for peer review on how to write for different audiences (media release and research tasks) with written feedback from teachers on your final submissions
- Immediate feedback on lab practicals during and at conclusion of each practical
- Oral feedback from peers and teachers throughout collaborative tutorial activities
- Immediate peer and teacher feedback on the quiz assessment.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: The Portfolio consists of individual lab reports prepared from group practical activities; mini papers developed in group research tasks to investigate and report Australian examples of fossils for each studied time period; and two short in semester quizzes incorporating peer review.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Throughout semester

Assessment name: Report
Description: A 500 word media release written for a non-scientific/public audience on the significance and importance of a new fossil discovery. It must be linked to the Queensland Museum and their `newly discovered¿ fossil records.
Relates to objectives: 3 and 5
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 12

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Multiple choice and short answer questions will assess the theoretical discussions, evaluations and critiques across the range of topics covered in the subject. Principally based on concepts introduced in lectures.
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