R.J. Arculus, BSc PhD Durham
Professor and Head of Department
Introduction
The following course patterns are available:
(a) For students who wish to obtain a general background to present thinking on the structure and history of planet Earth, SREM1002 Earth Systems is presented as an introductory, process-oriented unit.
(b) GEOL1002 continues from SREM1002 and provides a systems view of planet Earth. SREM1003 introduces students to the identification and management of global resources. Together these units provide an introduction to the basic tools of geological investigation as a basis for further study. Students are also recommended to take CHEM1014 or 1022 and/or PHYS1001 or PHYS1004 and a mathematics or statistics unit.
(c) For students interested in studying surficial geology, geography, ecology, and the environment, SREM1002 provides an essential introduction to Earth Science. Those wishing to include geomorphology or weathering (the regolith) as part of their studies are advised to take this unit before GEOG2001.
(d) Students from other disciplines may wish to take certain ancillary topics after first year to support their major interests e.g., GEOL2007 for geographers, GEOL2009 for chemists, SREM3004 for biologists and geographers, GEOL3005 for physicists and engineers and GEOL3010 for chemists. Students should consult this Handbook concerning prerequisites for these units.
(e) Students aiming to teach or requiring a general science qualification should find an adequate range of subjects in geology and other sciences offered in the 144 credit point BSc degree.
(f) Those aiming to become professional geologists should plan a fourth year of study leading to a graduate diploma or an honours degree. This fourth year permits more extensive study outside geology in the first two or three years, while leaving time to study some aspects of geology in depth. The graduate diploma course normally consists of 3 or 4 graduate coursework units in geology together with a seminar and report on a field area. Other arrangements may be agreed after discussion with the course supervisor and the Head of the Department. Students may specialise in any of the research fields covered by the Department, or may study one or two topics in applied geology at the University of Canberra.
(g) A degree of Bachelor of Science with honours in geology is offered for students who meet faculty requirements and who wish to undertake research-oriented study. A candidate for this degree shall normally include all Group B units in geology and at least three Group C units including GEOL3001, and shall pursue a course of advanced study during a period of 10 months, including course work and seminars, as well as the preparation of a detailed thesis. Appropriate seminar courses in a variety of topics will be provided by the Department and of those, the candidate will be expected to select units of up to the equivalent of 24 credit points; these units may include approved course work in other disciplines. Students will be expected to study Australasian Geology as part of their course-work program. A large amount of the field work required for the thesis should be carried out during University vacations.
A candidate will be required to pass written examinations or an oral examination or both in certain aspects of the subject, which will be notified to the candidate before the end of the first term of the course for the degree.
(h) Some specialisations at fourth-year level require prerequisite backgrounds in other subjects. Students wishing to specialise in geophysics should take PHYS2016 and mathematics to at least second-year level. For petrology and geochemistry, a good background in chemistry is desirable.
Employment for graduates in geology is available in a number of fields. Four-year trained graduates typically gain employment with exploration companies in both the mining and petroleum industries. Government geological surveys, both state and federal, are among the largest employers of graduates with higher degree qualifications. Large numbers are involved in the search for coal, petroleum and minerals, or in engineering projects such as dams, underground water supply, road and railway construction. Marine Geoscience is a developing field particularly for sedimentologists and geophysicists. Many companies and government agencies employ environmental geologists in developmental planning work. Most employers now require at least four years of university work.
In addition to the above, there is a continuing need for geologically-qualified secondary school teachers.
Assessment: In all geology units this is normally by a combination of:
(a)
class work and/or field work
(b) practical assignments or examinations
(c)
theory examinations, which may be formal papers or take-home papers.
For all geology units a pass in the prescribed practical work will be required in order to gain a pass in the unit.
The pass degree
Earth Systems SREM1002
(6cp) Group A
First semester
Three hours of lectures and up to two hours of practicals
weekly, 1 hour tutorial, plus two field trips
Lecturer: Staff of the Geology, Geography, and Forestry Departments, and CRES.
Incompatible units: GEOL1011 and GEOG1005
Prerequisites: Nil. Students are advised to enrol concurrently in CHEM1011 or 1022
Syllabus: An introduction to the dynamic nature and evolution of Earth Systems for students interested in the linkages between the atmosphere, oceans, water cycle, rock and soil cycle, and the planets biota. Suitable for students who propose to major in geography, human ecology, geology, ecology, archaeology, forestry, and Resource Management and Environmental Science.
The Earth System consists of interlocking components, including the solid Earth, the soil mantle, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. Each of these components is considered, and emphasis is placed on their interactions. Both past natural and current human perturbations of the Earth System are explored. The key concepts used to understand the Earth System are developed through the course, with emphasis on driving processes and feedbacks both today and through geological history.
Recommended texts
Assessment: A combination of field reports, theory and practical examinations.
Earth Science GEOL1002
(6cp) Group A
Second semester
Three lectures, one tutorial and two hours of laboratory
work a week; three days field work
Lecturer: Staff
Prerequisite: SREM1002 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1014
This unit continues from SREM1002, providing a systems view of planet Earth.
Syllabus: Formation and interaction of the lithosphere, oceans and atmosphere; whole Earth geophysics. The geological evolution of Australasia: the break-up of Gondwana, historical geology of Australasia, tectonics, rocks and fossils in time and space. The Australian regolith and industrial minerals, hydrology and ground water, environmental geology.
Assessment: A combination of field reports, theory and practical examinations.
Petrology GEOL2004
(8cp) Group B
Second semester
Three lectures and four hours of practical work per week
and one 6-day field excursion.
Lecturer: Dr Ellis
Prerequisite: GEOL2009 (or prior to 1997, Geology B03)
Syllabus: The nature and origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Consideration of the continuum of chemical compositions and the orderly mineral assemblages of igneous rocks. Recovery of conditions of crystallisation and conditions of differentiation of igneous rocks from study of mineralogical composition and assemblages. Understanding the physical conditions of formation of metamorphic rocks and the record of change of these conditions preserved in constituent minerals.
Recommended texts
Sedimentology, Resources and Biogeochemical Cycles GEOL2007
(8cp) Group B
First semester
Three lectures and three hours of practical work a week plus
a field excursion in the mid-semester break
Lecturer: Dr Opdyke
Prerequisite: SREM1002 or GEOL1002
Syllabus: Introduction to sedimentary depositional processes, with a goal of learning to recognise ancient depositional environments from the rock record. An introduction to the biogeochemical cycles of elements such as carbon, oxygen (and their stable isotopes), nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and strontium at geologic time scales, with an emphasis on climatic and tectonic impacts on the cycles of these elements. The semester will finish with an introduction to basin development in relation to coal and petroleum geology.
Recommended texts
Geobiology and Palaeoenvironments GEOL2008
(8cp) Group B
Second semester
Three lectures and five hours of practical work a week,
plus a 3-day excursion
Lecturer: Dr De Deckker
Prerequisite: GEOL1002; or SREM1002 and a first-year biology unit
Syllabus: This unit provides an overview of biological evolution on Planet Earth in a geological context. Sea level change and climate; stratigraphy including bio-, chemo-, and sequence-stratigraphic methods. Emphasis is being placed on the reconstruction of past environments. Biology students undertaking the course may take a special strand while stratigraphy is being offered.
Preliminary texts
Mineralogy and Geochemistry GEOL2009
(8cp) Group B
First semester
Three lectures and four hours practical work a week and one
4-day field excursion
Lecturer: Dr Eggleton
Prerequisite: GEOL1002 or SREM1002; and CHEM1011 or 1012
Incompatible with GEOL2003
Syllabus: This unit provides the mineralogical and geochemical basis for many of the later units in geoscience, and in turn relates to units in soils, materials science and solid state chemistry. Lecture and laboratory topics include morphological and optical crystallography, an introduction to crystal chemistry, composition and properties of minerals, basic physical chemistry of geological processes, consideration of equilibrium in aqueous and silicate melt systems, and the distribution and geochemistry of selected elements in the Earth.
Recommended texts
Geology C units
Students wishing to graduate as professional geologists should plan to include all Geology B units and GEOL3001 in the four-year program of their course. The remaining C units provide some flexibility in course pattern for these students as well as for those who wish to study geology as part of a three-year degree course, for those who wish to include some Geology units in another degree of the SRMES, or for those who wish to study one or two geology units to support a major study in another subject.
Field Geology GEOL3001
(8cp) Group C
First semester
Lecturer: Dr Opdyke and Staff
Prerequisite: Any two second-year units in Geology
Syllabus: Field mapping of geological formations, involving intensive field component, and utilising air photographs and GIS techniques. The field component is held over three weeks in February and reports and maps are prepared in the field and upon return to campus. Assessment will be complete by the end of March.
Recommended texts
Structure and Tectonics GEOL3002
(8cp) Group C
First semester
Three lectures and five hours of practical work a week and
three days of field excursions.
Lecturer: Prof Stephen Cox
Prerequisite: GEOL1002
Incompatible with GEOL2010
Syllabus: Considers the processes driving crustal deformation and the application of concepts such as stress, displacement and strain to analysis of deformation, together with the evolution and geometry of deformation structures such as folds, faults and shear zones, and the range of brittle to dutile processes which control the rates of deformation in the Earth’s crust. Regional and global examples of structures produced in contractional, extensional and wrench regimes are also considered, together with the larger-scale geodynamic and plate settings of these regimes. Laboratory studies and fieldwork emphasise the development of practical skills in geometric and kinematic analysis of deformation structures and an understanding of deformation processes at scales from the crystal lattice to the whole lithosphere.
Recommended texts
Geophysics GEOL3005
(8cp) Group C
First Semester
May not be offered in 1999
Thirty-six lectures and twenty-four
periods of practical work and practical exercises
Lecturer: Dr Chopra and staff
Prerequisite: PHYS1001 or 12 credit points of Group A mathematics; plus 16 Group B credit points from geology, physics or mathematics. Students intending to specialise in geophysics are advised to study second- and third-year units in physics and/or mathematics also.
Syllabus: Covers the physics of Planet Earth and exploration geophysics. Incorporates the major advances in understanding which stem from an analysis and interpretation of physical properties. The unit covers the most important of these aspects: gravity, magnetism, seismology, and thermal state. The fundamental properties, their complementary nature and use in probing Earth’s structure and composition are discussed and analysed. Emphasis is placed on the physical and tectonic processes driving the formation of geological structures such as rifts, continental margins, sedimentary basins and mountain chains. The important role of exploration geophysics is stressed in theory and practical work. Practical work includes the use of geophysical equipment, interpretation of data, solutions of geophysical problems including computer simulations and analytical approaches, and visits to geophysical laboratories.
Recommended texts
Proposed assessment: To be agreed in consultation with students but typically involves 2 assignments and two examinations.
Economic Geology GEOL3007
(8cp) Group C
Second semester
Three lectures and two laboratory periods a week; one 1-week
field excursion
Lecturer: Dr Mavrogenes
Prerequisite: GEOL2004 (or prior to 1997, Geology B04)
Syllabus: This unit covers the distribution, geological setting and genesis of metalliferous mineral deposits. Factors controlling the formation of these deposits and the linkages with many other geologic processes covered in other units are explored. Practical work involves mineragraphy and study of a range of classic mineral deposits.
Recommended texts
Environmental Geology GEOL3008
Replaced with SREM3004
Geologic Information Systems GEOL3009
(8cp) Group C
First semester
Two hours of lectures and four to six hours of practicals
weekly.
Lecturer: Dr Chopra
Prerequisite: Any two geology second-year units
Syllabus: This unit covers the science of remote sensing and the computer-based disciplines of image processing and GIS. Emphasis is placed on the acquiring of practical skills through hands-on use of computer workstations, A0 digitisers and printers. Integrated analysis of a wide range of geospatial data including Landsat, SPOT and airborne hyperspectral data, digital elevation models, gravity, magnetic and radiometric data is an important component of the course. Lecture notes and comprehensive laboratory tutorial instructions provided over the World Wide Web allow self-paced learning. Practical work includes advanced image processing, methods of digital data capture, manipulation of non-spatial attributes, spatial editing, spatial queries, data integration and digital map production.
Recommended texts
Proposed assessment: To be agreed in consultation with students but typically involves 3 assignments and one mid-semester examination.
Petrology and Geochemistry GEOL3010
(8cp) Group C
Second semester
Three lectures and two laboratory periods a week; one 1-week
field excursion
Lecturer: Dr Ellis and Professor Arculus
Prerequisite: GEOL2004 (or prior to 1997, Geology B04)
Incompatible with Geology C04 and Geology C06
Syllabus: The distribution and origins of the major types of igneous and metamorphic rocks including tectonic associations of melting and crystallisation processes, and the detailed treatment of selected types of metamorphism. The Earth in relation to the solar system, origins and abundances of the elements, evolution of the core-mantle-crust-exosphere systems. Geochemical behaviour and distribution of selected groups of elements including the rare earths and actinides. Natural radioactivity and principles of geochronology. Introduction to use of isotopic tracers both radiogenic and stable. Consideration of the cumulative global effects of differentiation of the Earth and other terrestrial planets through igneous and metamorphic processes. Practical work includes the laboratory study of classical igneous and metamorphic rock suites, petrographic calculations, graphical representations and computer modelling of geochemical, igneous and metamorphic processes.
Recommended texts
Regolith GEOL3011
(8cp) Group C
Second semester
Six hours of lectures and laboratory work; one 2-day required
field excursion
Lecturer: Drs Eggleton, Field and Greene
Prerequisite: GEOL2009 (or prior to 1997, Geology B03) or SREM2005 (or prior to 1997, FSTY2001)
Syllabus: This unit considers the physical, chemical and biological processes that take place in the Australian landscape and regolith leading to the weathering of rocks, the redistribution of weathered rock material and the establishment of deep weathering profiles, soil description and classification. The unit will explain materials of the regolith, and the implications of regolith geology to mineral exploration, environmental issues and geological and pedological processes. Field and laboratory work will be directed toward regolith mapping and description.
Recommended texts
GEOL3030-3045
A selection of special topics may be offered if there is sufficient demand in any one year. These units are intended mainly for honours and graduate diploma students, but third-year students may be permitted to enrol after consultation with the Head of Department. Certain units are also intended to cater for students in other disciplines who wish to complement their studies in these fields with appropriate geology units. It will not be possible to mount courses in all these fields each year; consequently students who wish to take advantage of the flexibility offered will be required to make appropriate arrangements with the Head of Department and relevant members of the teaching staff before the start of each semester.These units may be offered in first or second semester.
Prerequisites for all units are at least 96 credit points towards the BSc degree. The basic listed topics are of 4 credit points, but some may be converted to 8 credit points by additional work. To do this students should also enrol in C30 or C31.
List of available special topics
C30. Seminar A
Special topics in geology.
C31. Seminar B
Special topics in geology.
C34. Environmental Mineralogy
(Dr Eggleton)
Offered as a one-week short course in second semester followed by laboratory work and a report.
C39. Structural Analysis
Laboratory and theoretical treatments of complex structures and metamorphic textures.
C42. Field Studies Coral Reefs
(Drs De Deckker, Opdyke and Munson)
Offered in 1999 and alternate years afterwards
Ten days study of research techniques at Heron Island Research Station, or possibly at another location, in coral reef sedimentation, oceanography, geomorphology and ecology; comparison of ancient and modern coral reefs; economic potential and conservation of reefs; destruction and recovery; human impact. (Suitable for students in biology and geography). Enrolment subject to approval of the Head of Department.
C44. Advanced Micropalaeontology
(Dr De Deckker)
Offered in 2000 and alternate years.
Study of major microfossil groups (forams, ostracods, coccoliths, radiolarians, diatoms, conodonts) dedicated to understanding the evolution of oceans and lakes, and the evolution of life and the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments.
(Also suitable for students in geography, biological sciences, and prehistory)
C45. Marine Geology
(Dr Opdyke)
Advanced topics in marine geology, palaeoceanography and linkages with terrestrial climate studies including analysis and computer modelling of reservoirs, fluxes and residence times of chemically, biologically and climatically important elements in exospheric systems.