GEOLOGY 3013 - Tectonics III
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOLOGY 3013 Course Tectonics III Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 7 hours per week, plus field trip Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge GEOLOGY 2500, GEOLOGY 2501 & GEOLOGY 2502 Assessment Exam, practical assignments, seminar, field trip reports Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor John Foden
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
A succesful student should be able to: 1 Identify and interpret intrusive, volcanic, sedimenary and metamporphic textures in hand specimen and outcrops; 2 Describe current models for lithosphere and asthenosphere and the factors (geochemical, thermal, physical) and constrain them; 3 Combine appropriate simple structural, metamorphic, geophysical evidence to interrogate simple tectonics operating in the past; 4 Interrogate and interpret the geological literature; 5 Write clear and concise geological reports descripting the tectonic history of the area; 6 Demonstrate understanding of the methodology of scientific research in the field of tectonics; 7 Work in a team to produce a presentation about a current tectonics research topic; 8 Understand the processes that operate at plate boundaries; 9 Understand the main forces that impact the Earth's surface and subsurface, what drives them and how the Earth responds. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3,8,9 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3,4,5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3,4,5 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3,5,7 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3,5,6,7 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-5 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-7 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-7 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Field Kit is compulsory and items can be purchased at Unibooks. This includes the following;
- good quality notebook
- compass/clinometer
- hand lens
- safety glasses
Plate Tectonics, Continental Drift and Mountain Building - Wolfgang Frisch, Martin Meschede and Ronald C Blakely Springer 2011 (availabel free as an e-book through the library)Recommended Resources
The text book is an invaluable resource. It is not mandatory to have a textbook, but you are encouraged to obtain the main recommended text if you can. This book is:
Kearey P., Klepeis, K.A., and Vine, F.J. 2009. Global Tectonics. 3rd edition, Wiley--鈥怋lackwell (highly recommended and available at Unibooks)
Other texts that you may want to refer to (and are available in the library) are:
Stuwe, K. 2007. Geodynamics of the Lithosphere, an Introduction. 2nd edition. Springer. (hideously expensive, but unbelievably the library has electronic access to it – you can download pdfs of all the chapters…)
McClay, K., 1997. Mapping of Geological Structures, Open University Press – pretty hard to find, but a great little book -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is delivered by the following means:
- 2 X 1-hour lectures per week
- 1 X 5-hour practical per week for first half of semester
- 1 X 4-day field trip in the mid-semester break to Kangaroo Island
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Lecture Practical Module 1 Earth as a Planet Week 1 Earth as a Planet Scotia arc/back arc exercise topics Week 2 Earth as a Planet Scotia arc/back arc exercise topics Week 3 Earth as a Planet Tectonics in a box - group work Module 2 Breaking Continents Apart Week 4 Breaking Continents Apart Tectonics in a box - group work Week 5 Continental Collison/Convergence Tibet Stress Field Week 6 Continental Collison/Convergence Lecture/Kangaroo Island Field Trip Information Module 3 - Kangaroo Island Excursion in Mid-Semester break April 24-27 Week 7 No lectures
Kangaroo Island Assignment Due end of week 7Kangaroo Project/Report Module 4 Ocean Crust Tectonics Week 8 Ocean Crust Tectonics Seminar Preparation Week 9 Ocean Crust Tectonics Assignment Seminars Week 10 Ocean Crust Tectonics/Subduction Tectonics Assignment Seminars Module 5 The Evolving Planet Week 11 The Evolution Planet Assignment Seminars Week 12 Continental crustal growth models Specific Course Requirements
This course has a 4-day field trip to Kangaroo Island. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle
Yes/NoOutcomes being assessed/achieved Due Date Practical assignments Formative & Summative 12%
No 1,6,8,9 Week 1-6 Field Trip Assignment Formative & Summative 20% No 1,3,5,6 Week 7 Seminar Formative & Summative 15% No 4,6,7 Weeks 9,10,11 Online quizzes Summative 3% No 2,3,8,9 Weeks 7-12 Exam Summative 50% No 2,3,8,9 Mid year exam period Assessment Detail
Kangaroo Island Field Trip Assignment (20%)
This asignment includes the following tasks
- Field Note Book - 25%
- Field data collection and analysis involving measuring, plotting and interpreting dips/ strikes/ structural readings etc. - 10%
- A time-space diagram supported by a 3 page (or less; 1.5 spacing, 12 point) brief explanatory report.- 65%
On-line multi choice quizzes (2) held in the second half of the semester
Seminar (15%)
A small group exercise (4 students) . Asked to research a topic (each group has a different topic, topics available week 2) and present this as a short group seminar (20minutes) supported by a short written abstract summary (presentation in weeks 9,10 and 11)
Final exam (50%)
A final written exam will be used to summatively assess the course material.
Practical exercises (12%)
Three in-class practical exercises in the first half of semester one.
Submission
Late Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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