Students

GEOS305 – Exploration and Environmental Geophysics I

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Mark Lackie
Contact via mark.lackie@mq.edu.au
12 WW (E7A) 108
if you can find me
Lecturer
Craig O'Neill
Lecturer
Yingjie Yang
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp from GEOS or MATH or PHYS units at 200 level including GEOS205
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the application of geophysical techniques from the exploration for minerals to help solve environmental, engineering and ground water problems. Topics include: potential field techniques, induced polarisation, electromagnetic, electrical, seismic and radiometric methods. Generally, emphasis is placed on the applications and relative merits of the various methods for particular aspects of exploration and environmental problems, rather than on rigorous theoretical treatment. Practical work includes: laboratory exercises in the reduction, plotting and interpretation of geophysical data.

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:

  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

General Assessment Information

EXTENSIONS AND PENALTIES:

Whenever possible requests for an extension should be submitted prior to an assignment’s due date. Late assignments will be date stamped and a penalty of initially 10% of your mark and then a sliding 10% (of your mark) per day (eg 20% day2, 30% day3, etc) will be deducted from your given mark.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Oral presentation 10% No see schedule
Quiz 15% No see schedule
Assignments 35% No see schedule
Exam 40% No exam period

Oral presentation

Due: see schedule
Weighting: 10%

 

Each student has to select a topic relevant to the unit on which a 10-15 minute long oral presentation must be given during the class hours. A selection of topics is given at the beginning of the unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Quiz

Due: see schedule
Weighting: 15%

 

(1)    There will be three quizzes during the semester. They will consist of short answer or multiple choice questions relating to the practical work and lecture material.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information

Assignments

Due: see schedule
Weighting: 35%

 

(1)    Two assignments will be given to you during the semester. They will consist of questions relating to the topics covered during the semester and will include questions on both the theoretical and practical aspects of the unit material.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Exam

Due: exam period
Weighting: 40%

 

(1)    There will be a final two-hour examination held during the examination period in November/December. It will consist of a choice of questions to be answered in essay style.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Delivery and Resources

 

TEXTBOOK AND TECHNOLOGY USED

 

There is no compulsory textbook for this unit, but I recommend that you get a copy of “Geophysics for the Mineral Exploration Geoscientist” by Dentith and Mudge or “An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics” by Reynolds or “An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration” by Kearey et al or “Environmental and Engineering Geophysics” by Sharma as they look at the material at an appropriate level.

 

The unit also has a WEB site which can be found through the iLearn WEBSITE at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/ .  This site contains information such as copies of colour images, copies of 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. It is recommended that you acquire a geophysical text to supplement what is up on the iLearn site. At the start of the year you should be issued with a username and password (Macquarie oneID) to access all the WEB sites available for the units you have taken. This will get you into the front page of the GEOS305 WEB site.

 

Information for students about access to online units is available at

https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

 

I recommend that you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser, as it seems to have far less problems than Internet Explorer with iLearn.

Unit Schedule

 

DATE

LECTURER

TOPIC

PRACTICAL

Week 1

 

 

Mark Lackie

 Mark Lackie

Introduction to the unit

 Physical Properties

Physical

Properties

Week 2

 

 

Craig O'Neill

 

Craig O'Neill

Data Sampling and Spectral Analysis

 

Filtering and Fourier Analysis

Filtering

Week 3

 

Mark Lackie

 

Mark Lackie

Magnetics: Acquisition and Processing

 

 Gravity and Magnetics

Potential Field Interpretation

Week 4

 

 

Mark Lackie

 

 Mark Lackie

Refraction: GRM, Ray Tracing, VIRT, etc

 

Radiometrics: Acquisition

Refraction

Interpretation

 

 

Week 5

 

 

Mark Lackie

 

EM Theory

 

EM Acquisition

 

EM Stuff

 

Quiz 1

 

Week 6

 

 

Mark Lackie

 

EM Interpretation

IP Acquisition and Interpretation

 

 

 

EM Interpretation 

 

 

 Week 7

 Bruce Dickson

Radiometrics: Processing and Interpretation

 Radiometrics

 

 

 

 

 

Mid Semester Recess  

Week 8

 

 

Craig O'Neill

GPR

 Geothermal Exploration

 

GPR Acquisition

GPR Processing

 

Week 9

 

 

Andy Green

 

Geophysics at 1011 kHz – Reflectance of Minerals

Geophysics at 1011 kHz – Models for Reflectance of Rocks

Remote Sensing Prac

 Quiz 2

Week 10

 

 

Andy Green

Geophysics at 1011 kHz – Inverting the Models to Mineralogy

Geophysics at 1011 kHz – HyLogging Australia

Remote Sensing Prac

Week 11

 

 

Yingjie Yang

Seismic reflection method

Seismic reflection data processing

Exploration Seismics

 

Week 12

 

 

Yingjie Yang

 

 

Seismic reflection data processing

MASW

MASW

 

Week 13

 

 

Mark Lackie

 

 

Minerals Exploration

 

 

Revision

 Quiz 3

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz
  • Assignments

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

  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information

Assessment task

  • Assignments

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

  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Oral presentation
  • Quiz
  • Assignments

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

  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Oral presentation
  • Quiz
  • Assignments
  • 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

  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Quiz
  • Assignments

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

  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Oral presentation
  • Quiz
  • Assignments

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

  • 1. understanding of the basic concepts of exploration and environmental geophysics
  • 2. gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment
  • 3. understanding scientific methodology
  • 4. competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information
  • 5. application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information
  • 6. capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Oral presentation
  • Assignments
  • Exam

Changes from Previous Offering

2016: Updated Delivery and Resources and updated schedule

2017: Updated assessment and updated schedule

2018: Updated assessment section

2019 Updated schedule

Changes since First Published

Date Description
30/01/2019 Updated lecture schedule