Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Yingjie Yang
Juan Carlos Afonso
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
GEOS385 and 3cp from PHYS or MATH units
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
The unit covers the fundamental physics of the solid Earth, including modelling and assessment of geophysical data to understand the working of the Earth's interior. The emphasis is on physical principles and their application to interpret surface observations. Major topics covered in this unit include the thermochemical state of the Earth, potential field methods, global seismology, the physics of plate tectonics, and inverse problems. Computational modelling and scientific programming will be used in practicals. Additional minor subjects include thermodynamics of the Earth, elastic and non-elastic processes in the Earth, rock mechanics, earthquake seismology, and mineral physics.
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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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Assignment | 20% | No | Week 12 |
Weekly practical | 25% | Yes | every week |
Mid-Semester Examination | 15% | No | Week 8 |
Final examination | 40% | No | to be confirmed |
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
This is worth 20% and is divided into two components. You will hand in a group written report (accounts for 10% based on the group work) and give a 25 min group presentation to the class, at which each member of the group presents a part of the group presentation (accounts for 10% based on individual performances). You will be given specific details of what is expected for the report and presentation when you start the unit. The report must be written in a paper format similar to those requires by scientific journals (see below). More information about the assignment will be given to you during class
Due: every week
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Each week you will have a set of problems to solve during the laboratories/practicals. These will involve a mixture of manual calculations, computer-aided simulations/computations, and hands-on laboratory exercises. Your tutor will carefully oversee your individual performance in each practical and take attendance. You need to participate of at least 8 practicals (hurdle = yes) and hand in all practicals (one per week). The convenors will randomly select 4 practicals at the end of the semester and mark them to obtain a final mark that will represent 25% of your final grade.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 15%
This test will be given to you at the beginning of the second part of the semester (after the mid-semester public holiday) and it will cover all the contents (mainly concepts) covered up until week 7. You will have 45 mins to answer some questions in writing + multiple choice questions.
Due: to be confirmed
Weighting: 40%
The final exam will cover material from the lectures, text-book readings and class exercises. The exam will include questions that ask you to apply your knowledge to interpret and solve problems. Your tutor will discuss the details of the exam later in the semester.
Lab materials
We strongly suggest you bring a ruler, pencils and memory stick to the labs. A scientific calculator is recommended, but you can always use the computer in the lab.
Unit booklet
This contains diagrams that will be referred to in lectures and the laboratory exercises. It is available from the iLearn unit page. The completed worksheets are invaluable as an aid during revision for the examination. The booklet is essential for the laboratory exercises and it is not intended to serve as a formal guide to the lectures or study guide for the final exam. You will have to take your own explanatory notes and complement them with extra reading.
Textbooks
We have not been able to identify a single textbook that will cover all the topics in the unit. Therefore, we will compile a set of chapters from different sources for you to read after each lecture and use as a study material for final the exam. However, the textbook that contains most of the material covered in this unit at an appropriate level is “Fundamentals of Geophysics” by W. Lowrie. Below we list a number of textbooks you may find useful while studying the different topics covered in this unit (all available in the library).
Library Loans
The Library at Macquarie will have provided you with information on library loans. The procedures differ for metropolitan and country students. Please familiarise yourself with the procedures appropriate in your case.
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).
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 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
Supplementary exam
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.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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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