Students
GEOS385 – Global Tectonics
2016 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Craig O'Neill
Mark Lackie
Yingjie Yang
Suzanne O'Reilly
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
6cp in GEOS or MATH or PHYS units at 200 level including GEOS205
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit integrates recent advances in geodynamics, geophysics, geochemistry, and geology to understand the long-term tectonic evolution of the Earth, and its impact on the surface. Topics covered include structure and dynamics of the Earth, physical processes driving Earth dynamics, fundamentals of modern earthquake seismology, plate motions through time, paleomagnetism, global supercycles, and recent developments in the understanding of mantle/lithosphere dynamics.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Online Quizzes | 7% | Various |
| Assignment I | 7% | Week 4 |
| Assignment II | 8% | Week 7 |
| Assignment III | 8% | Week 11 |
| Research Paper & Seminar | 20% | Week 12 |
| Final Exam | 50% | July |
Online Quizzes
Due: Various
Weighting: 7%
Students will complete 5 online quizzes, on each module of the course.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assignment I
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 7%
Assignment on module 1
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assignment II
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 8%
Assignment on plate tectonics module
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assignment III
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 8%
Assignment on continental lithosphere module
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Research Paper & Seminar
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
Research Paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Final Exam
Due: July
Weighting: 50%
Final Exam
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Delivery and Resources
Lecture Times and Venue:
There will be two lectures (each one hour) and three-hour practicals session on each of week of first semester.
Lectures: Thursday 9am and 10am, E8A 386.
Practical 1: Thursday 11am-2pm, E5A 270.
Practical 2 (pending requests): Friday 11am-2pm, E5A 270.
TEXTBOOK AND TECHNOLOGY USED
The recommended textbook for the unit is “The Solid Earth (2nd Ed)” by Fowler. The book "Global Tectonics" by Kearey, Klepeis & Vine is a useful text and worth considering.
The unit also has a WEB site which can be found through the Online Learning @ MQ WEBSITE at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. This site contains information such as copies of colour images, copies of overheads and PowerPoint’s shown in class and copies of the practicals that we do in class. The WEB site will also allow access to the digital version of the lectures recorded through the iLecture system. As well, this site will access the on-line quizzes that will need to be completed during the semester. At the start of the year you should be issued with a username and password to access all the WEB sites available for the units you have taken. This will get you into the front page of the GEOS385 WEB site.
Below is a list of references that may be helpful in expanding certain aspects of the unit.
REFERENCES
QC806.A515 Anderson D.L., Theory of the Earth, 1989
QE501.A7513/1984 Artyushkov E.V ., Geodynamics
QB501.N47 Beatty J.K. & Chaikin A. (Eds), The New Solar System (3rd ed.), 1990
QE509.B75 Bott M.P., The interior of the Earth (2nd ed.), 1982
*QE501.4.P35.B88 Butler R.F., Paleomagnetism, 1991
*QE527.7 .C66/2001 Condie K.C., Mantle Plumes and their record in Earth History, 2001
QC806.C65 Cook A.H., Physics of the Earth and Planets, 1973
QE511.4.C683/1986 Cox A. & Hart R.B., Plate tectonics: how it works, 1986
QE509.4.D38/1999 Davies G.F., Dynamic Earth, Plates, Plumes and Mantle Convection, 1999
QC806.D39 De Bremaecker J-C, Geophysics: The earth’s Interior, 1985
QB501.N18 Dermott S.F. (Ed), The origin of the Solar System, 1977
QE501.E67/1990 Ernst W.G., The Dynamic Planet
QC806.F625 Fowler C.M.R., The Solid Earth, 1990
*QC806.F625/2005 Fowler C.M.R., The Solid Earth (2nd Ed), 2005
QC827.I7 Irving E., Paleomagnetism, 1964
QE509.E234/1998 Jackson I, The Earth's Mantle, 1998
QE509.J27/1992 Jacobs J.A. Deep Interior of the Earth, 1992
QE509.E232/2000 Karato S. et al, Earth's Deep Interior, 2000
QE511.4.K43/1996 Kearey P. & Vine F.J., Global Tectonics (2 Ed), 1996
*QE511.4.K43/2009 Kearey P., Klepeis K.A. & Vine F.J., Global Tectonics
QE35.E18 McElhinny M.W., The Earth, its Origin, Structure and Evolution, 1979
QE501.4.P35.M35/2000 McElhinny, M.W.& McFadden, P., Paleomagnetism: continents and oceans, 2000
QC816.M4 Merrill R.T. & McElhinny M.W., The Earth’s Magnetic Field, 1983
QC816.M47/1996 Merrill R.T., McElhinny M.W. & McFadden P.L. The magnetic field of the Earth: palaeomagnetism, the core, and the deep mantle, 1996
QE511.4.H57/2000 Richards et al, The History and Dynamics of Global Plate Motions, 2000
QE501.S3/1982 Scheidegger A.E., Principles of Geodynamics
QC806.S54/1997 Sleep N.H. & Fujita K., Principles of Geophysics, 1997
QE26.2.C35 Smith D.G. (Ed), The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Earth Sciences
QC806.S65 Stacey F.D., Physics of the Earth (2nd & 3rd eds.), 1977 & 1992
QE511.44.G46 Summerfield M.A., Geomorphology and Global Tectonics, 2000
QE501.T83 Turcotte D.L. & Schubert G., Geodynamics, 1982
*QE340.B55 Veevers J. J., Billion-year earth history of Australia and neighbours in Gondwanaland, 2000
*QE340.B552 Veevers J.J., Billion-year earth history of Australia
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Assessment tasks
- Assignment I
- Research Paper & Seminar
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assessment tasks
- Online Quizzes
- Assignment I
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
- Final Exam
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assessment tasks
- Assignment I
- Assignment II
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
- Final Exam
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
Assessment tasks
- Online Quizzes
- Assignment I
- Assignment II
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
- Final Exam
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of issues concerning the global tectonics of the earth
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- understanding of the basic concepts of tectonic plate motions
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
- Application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
Assessment tasks
- Assignment I
- Assignment II
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
- Final Exam
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding of mantle and lithosphere dynamics
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
Assessment tasks
- Assignment I
- Assignment II
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
Assessment tasks
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar
- Final Exam
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
Assessment task
- Research Paper & Seminar
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Understanding scientific methodology
- Competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
Assessment tasks
- Assignment III
- Research Paper & Seminar