GEOLOGY 1103 - Earth Systems I
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOLOGY 1103 Course Earth Systems I Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week, plus field work Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible SOIL&WAT 1000WT Assessment Written exams, assignments, practical work Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Graham Heinson
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 successful student in this course should be able to:
1. Demonstrated proficiency in common practical skills in first year geology
2. Describe the four components of Earth’s system: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere;
3. Understand the broad-scale structure of the Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Biosphere, and their dynamic evolution;
4. Have knowledge of how episodic events change Earth over short time scales;
5. Have knowledge of how long-time scale events shape Earth;
6. Appreciate the time-scales of naturally occurring cycles;
7. Describe the impact of human activity on Earth;
8. Appreciate from field observations how Earth acts as a system;
9. Collate Earth Systems information to produce a web page project.
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) Deep discipline knowledge
- informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
- acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
- accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Critical thinking and problem solving
- steeped in research methods and rigor
- based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
- demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
1, 9 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
1, 9 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1, 9 Intercultural and ethical competency
- adept at operating in other cultures
- comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
- able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
- demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
7, 9 Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
- open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
- able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
A free, on-line text book will be used:
- Blewett RS (ed.) 2012. Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia, Geoscience Australia and ANU E Press, Canberra. d
Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course consists of three 50-minute lectures per week, three hours of practical work every week and a one-day field excursion. The lectures are the source of most of the information assessed in tests and quizzes and required for practicals. Many subjects are covered in detail only once and most contain some element of specialized vocabulary or facts that are hard to reproduce by reading alone.
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
Week Type of learning activity Topic Week 1 Lecture Earth System Science Practical Lab 1 Earth Systems Science Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 2 Lecture Lithosphere Practical Lab 2 Lithosphere Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 3 Lecture Hydrosphere Practical Lab 3 Hydrosphere Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 4 Lecture LECTURE TEST 1
AtmopsherePractical Lab 4 Atmosphere Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 5 Lecture Biosphere Practical Lab 5 Biosphere Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 6 Lecture Adelaide and Environment Practical Lab 6 Adelaide and Environment Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 7 Lecture LECTURE TEST 2 Practical Lab 7 Hallett Cove Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 8 Lecture Geohazards Practical Lab 8 Geohazards Tutorial or other activity Sellick’s Beach field trip (provisional)
Small Group Experience ExerciseWeek 9 Lecture Weathering and Landscape Practical Lab 9: Weathering and Landscape Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 10 Lecture Climate Change Practical Lab 10 Climate Change Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 11 Lecture Surface Processes Practical Lab 11 Surface Processes Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 12 Lecture Earth System Science Practical Lab 12 Earth Systems Science Tutorial or other activity Small Group Experience Exercise Week 13* Lecture LECTURE TEST 3 Practical Tutorial or other activity Specific Course Requirements
This course has a one-day field excursion to Sellicks Beach.This trip is compulsory, but fortunately fun. There is no charge for transport. The trip will run from approximately 8 am to around 5pm; more details will be provided at the start of Semester 1.
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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 Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Outcome being assessed Practical assessment of learning (follow up quizzes on practicals) Summative 20% No 1-8 Web-based project Summative 15% No 1,4,5,9 Field report Sellick’s Beach (or alternative assignment) Summative 5% No 1,3,4,5,6,8 Theory Tests (3 at 15%, 15% and 30%) Summative 60% No 1-8 Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled practical sessions. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on
laboratory and field experience and practice. Therefore, missing any practical class in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being
recorded for the course.
Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a practical session for medical or compassionate reasons by submitting an absence form with appropriate supporting documentation to the course coordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from
Practicals missed due to medical or compassionate reasons must be made up (opportunity permitting; contact the course coordinator for details, as soon as possible to discuss options). All students who miss a practical will receive an email at their 成人大片 student account with instructions on the action to be taken to organise a make-up practical.Assessment Detail
Lecture (theory) tests: Test material comes primarily from lecture material, and secondarily from assigned reading. Students may be tested on material that is not in the lecture material, but will be explicitly told what to read. The tests will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short-answer and long-answer questions. The first two tests will be for 40 minutes; the last test for 50 minutes.
Practical work: Students are enrolled in a particular practical session, and are expected to attend that session. The assessment will follow as a MyUni on-line quiz or short answer exercises based on understanding gained during the practicals. Four (of the five) will be assessed, each is worth 5%.
Web-based assignment: The MyUni-based group assignment will be in lieu of lecture and practical sessions in week 8. The assignment will be on Earth System processes, and will require background research in groups, and development of on-line content. The content will be marked against criteria that will be clearly given to the students.
Submission
Submission of Assigned Work
Practical work is submitted at the end of each practical session. There are no extensions for the practical work as it is to be accomplished during the practical period, and the practicals themselves are a mandatory and non-redeemable part of the course. Practicals will be marked and returned or answer keys posted within three weeks of each session.
The web-based assignment is to be submitted by the due date. There is no late submission or extension possible, unless you make an application on the basis of medical or compassionate grounds.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from:
Late submission of assessments
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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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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