Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Dorrit Jacob
Bec Dodd
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
GEOS125
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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 skills-based unit integrates projects, lectures and laboratory classes to develop theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to describe and interpret rocks in the field and laboratory. Field methods involve aerial photograph interpretation, representation of three-dimensional structural data and observations of rock types, rock structures and the relationship between geology and topography. Laboratory methods include geological map interpretation, optical and electron microscopy and geochemical data analysis. The field and laboratory skills are combined to complete an integrated forensic science case study.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
The assessment consists of several components:
Case study 20%
Online quizzes 10%
Field Trip 20%
Final examination 50%
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Forensic science part 1 | 5% | No | 25th of September |
Forensic science part 2 | 5% | No | 16th of October (week 10) |
Forensic science part 3 | 10% | No | 30th of October (week 12) |
Online Quizzes | 10% | No | each week |
Final Examination | 50% | No | Week 13 |
Field Trip | 20% | No | during field trip |
Due: 25th of September
Weighting: 5%
Part 1: Online quiz – download the questions, make the calculations (mineral classifications from
EMP and U-Pb data plotting to determine dates) and then complete the quiz (25% of case study)
Due: 16th of October (week 10)
Weighting: 5%
Part 2: Rock table, XRF data and petrographic description (25% of case study)
o Complete the table downloadable from iLearn, with the descriptive geologic sample names (e.g. biotite-muscovite schist) you have determined for the unknown rocks from your petrographic analysis and which unit it most likely matches on the geologic map (if any)
o Plot the XRF data onto the exploration classification figure provided o Write one full petrographic description – with copious illustrations
Due: 30th of October (week 12)
Weighting: 10%
Part 3: History table and report: Interpretation of the geological history of the area (40% of case study) and your main results in the form of a two-page report to the police (10% of case study)
o Complete the A3 size table by hand (download from iLearn), neatly filled out or type into the cells in Excel
o The two-page report should piece together your analysis of the map, the one page from the victim’s notebook, the geophysics interpretation, the thin sections, the sand samples and XRF data. Some questions to consider:
• How many unique rock types are there?
• What are the rock types and their mineralogy?
• Do the rock types link to the map or not?
• Are the rock types restricted to a certain area on the map?
• Why, in your opinion, did the geologist have that rock in their car?
• Do any of the rocks match the murder weapon or those used to weigh down the body?
• Does any of the rock analysis help with motive or piecing together the how/where/when of the murder and disposal of the body?
• What were the various sand grains?
• Are they specific to any of the samples analysed petrographically or on the map or have they been kicking around the Earth’s surface for a while (stable)?
• Does any of the sand help with motive or piecing together the how/where/when of the murder and disposal of the body?
• Who should the police arrest and why?
• Is there a consistent story or are their multiple options?
• What further investigations or queries should the police make and why?
• If given more time and a further $10,000 consulting fee (wow – you are expensive), what further analyses might you do to clinch a conviction for the police once an arrest was made?
• N.B. Marks will be deducted for reports that are too long – clear and succinct writing is an important skill, valued by professionals. It may take you a few drafts to rewrite your text and fit all of the information into the page limit.
Due: each week
Weighting: 10%
There will be a series of online quizzes in several weeks. The questions are drawn from the information given in lectures and the unit reader booklet. You will be required to complete a Virtual Petrographic Microscope or stereonet task each week and submit your answers in the weekly quiz.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
The final exam will cover material from the lectures, class practical exercises and case studies. Questions will draw on information and ideas from the whole unit to give an integrated view of the unit. The exam will include questions that ask you to apply your knowledge to interpret and solve problems. You will be allowed to take one A4 page of notes into the exam, otherwise it is closed book.
Due: during field trip
Weighting: 20%
A field guide and detailed assessment tasks will be provided prior to field trip
This unit can be seen as three interconnected streams. A lecture stream will give a broad overview of the topics, provide background information and introduce new ideas and concepts that link in with the laboratory practical and case study streams.
There will be one case study submitted in parts throughout the semester. The case study is an extended enquiry into a real geo-scientific problem. This problem is different to the ones that you would typically find in textbooks, and more closely resembles the investigations that scientists face in the real world, with many interacting factors and a number of possible solutions.
The case study will allow you to explore the ideas in depth and will provide an effective and, we hope, enjoyable method of learning. There is also the added benefit of providing you with opportunities to develop generic skills and graduate capabilities such as problem solving, teamwork, communication, accessing and evaluating information and in using scientific approaches to solve problems.
You will be working individually for the case study, both in attempting to solve the problem and to produce a final report. However, you are encouraged to consult with others in the class and to help each other with the work, although, final reports should be done individually. You will be expected to do substantial research outside of the scheduled time (e.g. library and/or web-based literature search, data processing and plotting).
Technology that we will use involves laboratory equipment including petrographic microscopes and geochemical instruments housed in Macquarie Geoanalytical.
Time Allocation
According to Macquarie University guidelines, you are required to spend 39 hours of study percredit point. For GEOS207 this works out to approximately four hours per week at the lecture/laboratory sessions, and approximately six hours per week doing at home study. Conscientious use of this time, particularly if it is spread over the whole semester will provide its reward.
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
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.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 (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
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.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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