GEOS2200

Earth's Sedimentary Rocks and Environments

Faculty of Science and Information Technology School of Environmental and Life Sciences

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

The course examines the theories and concepts related to sedimentary facies, and depositional environments. The topics of the course are organised to introduce earths sedimentary rocks and their environments in a logical progression:
1. familiarisation with and interpretation of ancient and modern sedimentary environments in the field
2. familiarisation with transport processes of sedimentary rocks
3. provision of an overview of the principles of stratigraphy, including sequence stratigraphy
4. introduction to the microscopic petrological description of sedimentary rocks

This course has Compulsory Course Components and students must obtain a passing grade of at least 50% overall in their laboratory and field trip reports.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this compulsory component in the course outline provided by the school.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply the basic observational and analytical tools fundamental to the professional skills of the geologist and environmental scientist.
2. Critically discuss and evaluate theoretical concepts and ideas from sedimentary geology, sedimentary petrography and stratigraphy.
3. Explain that there are no right answers in sedimentology, but that student interpretations must be underpinned and supported by sound analytical and observational data.
4. Apply the theories and concepts to the practical and field environment.
5. Write reports and essays at an academically acceptable standard.
6. Support and elucidate report and essay written material with appropriate academically acceptable graphic illustrations.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of working in a group and debating ideas in a field and laboratory environment.

Content

The course introduces the study of sedimentary rocks and environments. The aims of the course are to provide an understanding of the actual transport and depositional processes and resultant sedimentary structures and stratigraphy which characterise a range of sedimentary environments, and to develop personal skills in critically observing, analysing and reporting on field and practical examples of sediments.

Lectures examine and critically evaluate the theories and concepts underlying sedimentary geology and stratigraphy. Field trips provide necessary exposure to observation and interpretation of ancient and modern sedimentary environments, and laboratory work provides exposure to detailed observation, analysis and description of unconsolidated and thin sectioned sedimentary rocks under the microscope.

Replacing Course(s)

N/A

Transition

N/A

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

GEOS1040, GEOS1050, GEOS2170

Modes of Delivery

Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Field Study
Lecture
Laboratory

Assessment Items

Examination: Formal

Reports

Laboratory and field trip reports and exercises.

This component tests the capacity of students to demonstrate skills associated with Course Objectives 1,3,4 & 7, which relate to fieldwork.

The component has a Compulsory Course Component. Students must obtain a passing grade of at least 50% overall (not in each individual report) in order to demonstrate that they have fulfilled Course Objectives 1, 3, 4 & 7, relating to applying observational and analytical tools in the field, supporting interpretations with sound data, applying theory to the field environment.

On achieving a passing grade, a final mark will be given in the course and it will be recorded that the student satisfied the Compulsory Course Components. For those students who fail to satisfy the Compulsory Course Components, the normal avenues of appeal will be open to them.

Contact Hours

Laboratory: for 4 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term

Compulsory Components

Compulsory Course Component	WHS-Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. Compulsory Course Component: In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory fieldwork induction.

Timetables