GEOS3260
Field Course in Carbonate Environments
10 Units
Available in 2013
| Callaghan Campus | Semester 2 |
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Previously offered in 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005
This course introduces students to the stratigraphy, sedimentology, facies and facies associations of carbonate environments. This is chiefly attained by taking part in a one week to 10 days field excursion to ancient carbonate deposystems preceded by an introductory seminar and followed by 3 major laboratories and research projects on campus tied to the fieldwork and the Labs, which will include the processing of geochemical data, sampling for stable isotope analyses and diagenetic studies. Field excursion locations are not fixed, whereby the exact timing of the field excursion will depend on the best climatic conditions for fieldwork in the selected area. Fieldwork would commonly take place within the semester break or before the start of semester 2 Details of the area, timing and duration of the field work will be provided in Blackboard.
This course has an essential criteria and in order to pass the course, students must obtain a passing grade of at least 50% in the field/research report.
| Objectives | At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. recognise stratigraphy, facies and facies associations in a carbonate sequence; 2. use facies and facies associations to reconstruct past environments of deposition; 3. apply the tools of stratigraphy and sedimentary geology in a professional context; 4. conduct independent research projects and writing reports in scientifically and professionally acceptable language; 5. use their basic knowledge of Laboratory techniques which is useful in resource exploration. |
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| Content | GEOS3260 is conducted at different field areas where outstanding carbonate complexes outcrop. The syllabus consists of a six (6) to ten (10) day field mapping program, with field seminars in the evening. Student's field notes will be the core of the interpretative report back at The University of Newcastle. The students are expected to complete the following tasks while in the field: 1. An assessment of the basic stratigraphy of the surveyed area; 2. A recognition of facies and facies associations. This part implies the recognition of facies boundaries (limits) and the use of sketches and drawings to illustrate how facies relate to each other; 3. Compile field notes, 1 field map, an interpretative stratigraphic column, interpretative facies association within an individual field booklet to be handed in at the end of fieldwork; At the University of Newcastle the students are expected to complete the following tasks: 1. Writing an informative report based on field notes and field data aimed at the reconstruction of palaeogeography and palaeoenvironments; 2. Carrying out a major research project based on the field report but including hands-on laboratory technique on samples collected in the field (or provided by the Tutors). This task requires the capability to formulate hypotheses grounded on field study/laboratories and lectures about the carbonate factories 3. Compiling a major research essay on one specialised topic of carbonate stratigraphy, petrology, microfacies, geochemistry, diagenesis. |
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| Replacing Course(s) | N/A | ||||||||
| Transition | N/A | ||||||||
| Industrial Experience | 0 | ||||||||
| Assumed Knowledge | GEOS2200, GEOS2280 and/or GEOS2050. | ||||||||
| Modes of Delivery | External Mode Internal Mode |
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| Teaching Methods | Field Study
Lecture Laboratory Seminar |
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| Assessment Items |
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| Contact Hours | Seminar: for 10 hour(s) per Term for Full Term Laboratory: for 30 hour(s) per Term for Full Term Lecture: for 12 hour(s) per Term for Full Term Field Study: for 26 hour(s) per Term for Full Term |
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| Timetables | 2013 Course Timetables for GEOS3260 |