Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Stefan Loehr stefan.loehr@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface; they are the unique feature of our home planet which enabled the evolution of complex life, influence Earth’s climate and weather, and provide food for much of the world’s population. This unit introduces students to this exceptional environment through study of the oceans past, present and future, with particular focus on the oceans’ ties to climate and life. The unit considers: the geological history and dynamics of ocean basins; technology for probing the ocean's depths; physical, biological and chemical oceanographic processes; ocean circulation patterns; waves and tides; shallow water and deep marine depositional environments; marine life; long term global climate change; and human interactions with the marine environment. Students will be introduced to water and sediment sampling techniques via a virtual fieldtrip, as well as practise basic sediment characterisation techniques.

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:

ULO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the processes that control the configuration and temporal evolution of ocean basins
ULO2: Describe the major patterns and controls on oceanic and atmospheric circulation, shallow versus deep water sedimentation, and climate change through Earth’s history
ULO3: Identify the major classes and characteristics of marine life, and link their distribution to the physical, chemical and biological properties of seawater
ULO4: Display basic familiarity with the tools and approaches used to explore and map the ocean, collect marine samples, characterise sediments and reconstruct past climates
ULO5: Display competency in accessing, synthesising and using appropriate information to address questions in marine science
ULO6: Accurately communicate ideas with supporting evidence

General Assessment Information

GENERAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment Criteria

Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria (e.g. in a rubric) will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn.

Hurdle Requirements

A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing the unit (see the Assessment Policy). Failure to meet the hurdle requirement will result in failure of the unit. In this unit practical participation is a hurdle requirement. You must attend and participate in at least 10 of the 12 weekly practical classes to pass this unit. Please contact your tutor or the unit convenor if you are unwell and are unable to attend, you can attend a practical scheduled on another day or participate online if approved by the unit convenor.

Submission of Assessments

All assessments must be submitted online through Turnitin unless otherwise indicated. Links for the submission of each assessment will be available on iLearn.

You should always check that you have uploaded the correct file. If you have a problem, please email the Unit Convenor with your correct file. You must also keep a copy of your assessments until the end of semester in case there is a problem with your submission. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can provide a copy of your assessment if requested.

Marking of Assessments

Assignments will usually be marked through Turnitin with grades provided through Gradebook on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy unless requested (e.g. a sketch or drawing).

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within two to three weeks of the date that you submitted it. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assessments and feedback are available for viewing.

Penalties for Late Assessments

The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day it is late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension prior to the due date.

Extensions for Assessments

To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension lies with the unit convenor. Permission for extensions must be sought before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event. We are likely to be much more sympathetic and able to accommodate your circumstance if you follow this advice.

Exams

Details of exam conditions and timetables can be found on the Exams and Results portal. The draft exam timetable will be released approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the exams. The final exam timetable will be published 4 weeks before commencement. All students (including exchange students) are expected to present themselves for the exam at the time and place designated in the exam timetable. Note this may include weekends.

For unavoidable disruptions during exams, you should apply for Special Consideration as soon as possible. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the exam time will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period and you will receive an individual notification prior to the exam with the exact date and time of the Supplementary Examination. You will only be allowed one opportunity to sit the Supplementary Exam as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Tectonics, Oceanography & Climate Report	20%	No	Week 7
Case study report	20%	No	Week 12
Non-Assessment Practical Participation Requirement Hurdle	0%	Yes	Each week
Weekly quizzes	20%	No	Each week
Final Exam	40%	No	Examination Period

Tectonics, Oceanography & Climate Report

Assessment Type ¹: Report
Indicative Time on Task ²: 24 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%

Report evaluating the links between tectonics, oceanography and climate (1500 words min, 3000 words max).