GEOLOGY 3505 - Earth Systems History III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course studies the fundamental geological and biological processes comprising the Earth System. It focuses on the interactions between the biosphere and the geosphere as the Earth System evolved, and on how those processes can be deciphered through the analysis and interpretation of sedimentary archives. The course will highlight the approaches used to interpret those archives, particularly the geochemical and physical techniques used to quantitatively constrain past climate and biogeochemical cycles, and those used to determine the age and rate of sedimentary deposits. The application of these techniques will be illustrated alongside a narrative of some of the key transitions in Earth's history, including the origins of the atmosphere, ocean and life, carbon cycle fluctuations through time, the expansion and demise of global ice ages and the role of humans in the modern Earth system. With a strong focus upon critical analysis and debate, the course will provide a scientific grounding relevant to a variety of contemporary issues, including resources, climate change and sustainability.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	GEOLOGY 3505
Course	Earth Systems History III
Coordinating Unit	Earth Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	GEOLOGY 2500 or GEOLOGY 2505
Incompatible	GEOLOGY 3014
Assessment	In-class tests; Assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Juraj Farkas

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

	A succesful student in this course should be able to:
1	demonstrate an understanding of how the sediments and landscapes of the Earth develop as dynamic systems, and how they relate to the concepts of geological time and space;
2	demonstrate an understanding of the key sedimentological and geochemical techniques used to decipher Earth system processes through time;
3	demonstrate an ability to manipulate and interpret geochemical data derived from sedimentary geological materials;
4	demonstrate knowledge of how environmental change has operated on geological timescales to produce the conditions on Earth capable of supporting life;
5	apply basic mathematics to quantify Earth system processes;
6	apply information from sediments to interpret past environments from field observations, geologic and geochemical information;
7	understand the relationship between the geological record and the record of time preserved in sedimentary successions;
8	critically debate a key issue in Earth Systems History, both verbally and through a written report.

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)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	2, 3, 5, 6
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	8
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	8
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 4
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	8

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:

1 x 2-hour workshop per week
1 x 5-hour practical per week
1 x day field trip held in class time

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
Week 1	Course introduction; Earth Systems and geological record of global change - Snowball Earth	Sedimentary rock review and Earth Systems: Reconstructing the 500 million year history of the Amadeus Basin
Week 2	Seismic probing of Amadeus Basin: 3D record of ‘Snowball Earth’ event. Chemical evolution of Earth’s oceans.	Marine archives (fossils, sediments) for paleo-seawater studies, and application of isotope chemostratigraphy
Week 3	Evolution of Earth’s atmosphere: Redox history, Great Oxidation Event.Australian onshore and offshore depositional systems: Archives of Earth system evolution and energy resources.	Tools in sedimentary basin analysis, seismic profiles and principles of sequence stratigraphy
Week 4	Reconstructing and modelling the global carbon cycle through the Phanerozoic	Introduction to modelling Earth’s climate and carbon cycle
Week 5	Lecture Test 1	Hallett Cove fieldtrip (within the hours of the practical session)
Week 6	Tectonics and orbital forcing: building and regulating Earth’s Cenozoic icehouse climate	Quantitative interpretation of marine isotope records.
Week 7	Integrated marine biogeochemical cycles through geological time	Issues in Earth Systems History: student presentations on assignment 1 topics (1 hour 20 min per group, each with a different lecturer)
Week 8	The evolution of Australia’s land surface	Describing and interpreting chemically precipitated minerals and regolith (GSSA Core Library, Tonsley)
Week 9	Marine carbonate system, ocean acidification, and novel isotope tracers of weathering and global elemental cycles	Aqueous geochemistry: mineral saturation, and isotope box models
Week 10	Abrupt change in the Earth System recorded in fossil ice	Carbonate sediments and sea level change in the Spencer Gulf (GSSA Core Library, Tonsley)
Week 11	Holocene climate and hydrological change and terrestrial sediment records	Analysis and interpretation of palaeoclimate timeseries
Week 12	Centennial-annual dynamics in the climate system. The role of Earth Sciences in the climate challenge	LECTURE TEST 2

Specific Course Requirements

This course has a one-day field trip held in class time.

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

Modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.
Assessment Task	Task Type	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes/No	Outcomes being assessed/achieved	Due date
In-class theory tests 2 X class tests 15% and 20% respectively Online Mini-Tests (5 x 1%)	Formative & Summative Summative	35% 5%	No No	1-8 2-11	Weeks 5 and 13 Weeks 2,4, 7, 9,11
Practical assignments (8 x 2% in class; 1 x 5% for field class)	Formative & Summative	23%	No	1-5, 7-11	Weeks 1-4 and 6-11
Theory assignments 15% each for 2 assignments (including one take home exam); 7% for a group oral presentation	Formative & Summative	37%	No	1-8	Weeks 8 & 11

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at workshops is compulsory. Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a class by submitting the application form with appropriate documentation to the Course Co-ordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from

Assessment Detail

Practical assignments: (23% of total course grade; 2% per practical and 5% for field prac)
During each practical class, an assignment will be set to be handed up at the end of that class. The practicals will be designed to provide training in key skills in sedimentary geology and geochronology as well as manipulation/analysis of geochemical and Earth system data. The practicals will reinforce the theoretical learning from the lectures as well as providing hands on context. One practical will involve field observation and interpretive skills. Another practical (week 7) will entail group presentations by students followed by debate on their chosen topic for Assignment 1, the objective being to stimulate thought and gain feedback from lecturers/peers prior to essay writing.

In-class theory tests: (35% of total course grade; 2 tests, 15% and 20% respectively)
Two tests will be given to address understanding of the lecture and practical material. The first test will be given mid-term to provide the students a benchmark for their progress in the course. The final test will be given at the end of the semester to ensure summative knowledge of course material. The tests will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions and be held during the lecture session in week 5 and the practical session in week 12. Feedback on the first in–class test will be provided by end of week 6.

Online Mini-tests: (5% of total course grade; 5 tests, 1% each)
The online mini-test aim to review the topics and materials covered at lectures and practicals in regular two weeks intervals throughout the semester, specfically during Week 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11. These online mini-test will be ca. 8-10 mins long, consisting of ca. 10-15 questions, which will be in the format of mutiple-choice questions.

Theory assignments: (37% of total course grade; 2 x 15% and 7% for group presentation)
Assignments will be used to stimulate independent research, information synthesis and critical review of key topics within the discipline. They will provide experience and feedback in scientific writing and encourage a deeper conceptual understanding of the nuances of a specific scientific field. Assignment 1 will be preceded by a small group debate around the focus subject, thus encouraging verbal communication and group interaction skills. Assignment 2 is a take home exam consisting of four short summative essays on subjects covered in the course.

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 .

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.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

成人大片