Students
GEOS2130 – Marine Sediments: Records of Past Earth
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor and lecturer
Stefan Loehr
Contact via x8378
12 WW 334
By agreement, please contact via email or on iLearn
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(GEOS112 or GEOS125 or GEOS126 or GEOS1110 or GEOS1120 or GEOS1130) and (60cp at 1000 level or above)
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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 builds the skills necessary to understand geological processes in modern and ancient marine environments. With a focus on marine sedimentology, we will examine the formation, accumulation, alteration, and preservation of sediments in the geological record. We will cover the basics of fluid flow and sediment transport, sedimentary textures and structures, and illustrate the connections between modern landforms and ancient rocks/depositional environments. This unit will focus on the reconstruction and interpretation of ancient palaeo-environments based on the analysis of sedimentary structures, stratigraphy, and fossils. The unit will include practical components as well as a fieldtrip to the New South Wales south coast. |
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: Identify the common types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic features, and use these to infer depositional environments
- ULO2: Deduce the depositional history from a stratigraphic sequence
- ULO3: Utilise specialised software and tools to interrogate samples or data sets to formulate internally consistent answers to scientific questions
- ULO4: Demonstrate the ability to observe and record information in the field in order to later report on field trip results
- ULO5: Examine and interpret the interactions between climate, circulation, tectonics, weathering, and sedimentary environments
- ULO6: Effectively and professionally communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts
General Assessment Information
Late Submissions
Any work received after the deadline will be marked down 10%, with an additional 5% each additional day (24 hrs) past the deadline. Extensions are only possible with instructor permission and requests must be made by email to the unit convenor before the assessment deadline.
Final Exam
If you apply for Disruption to Study for your final examination, you must make yourself available during the supplemental exam period. If you are not available at that time, there is no guarantee an additional examination time will be offered. Specific examination dates and times will be determined at a later date.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary Rock Identification | 15% | No | Week 6 |
| Weekly Quiz | 20% | No | Weeks 1 to 12 |
| Field Exam & Final Exam | 45% | No | Week 7 and Examination Period |
| Research Poster | 20% | No | Week 12 |
Sedimentary Rock Identification
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 15%
Report demonstrating student’s ability to characterise sedimentary rocks and interpret depositional environments (3 pages maximum)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the common types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic features, and use these to infer depositional environments
- Examine and interpret the interactions between climate, circulation, tectonics, weathering, and sedimentary environments
- Effectively and professionally communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts
Weekly Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Weeks 1 to 12
Weighting: 20%
Weekly quiz covering material from in class, practical and assigned readings
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the common types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic features, and use these to infer depositional environments
- Deduce the depositional history from a stratigraphic sequence
- Utilise specialised software and tools to interrogate samples or data sets to formulate internally consistent answers to scientific questions
- Examine and interpret the interactions between climate, circulation, tectonics, weathering, and sedimentary environments
Field Exam & Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: Week 7 and Examination Period
Weighting: 45%
The Field Exam (15%) comprising a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions in workshop following the fieldtrip (1 hour duration). The Final exam (30%) comprising a mix of multiple-choice and written questions cover all material covered in unit (2 hour duration, plus 10 minutes reading time).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the common types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic features, and use these to infer depositional environments
- Deduce the depositional history from a stratigraphic sequence
- Utilise specialised software and tools to interrogate samples or data sets to formulate internally consistent answers to scientific questions
- Demonstrate the ability to observe and record information in the field in order to later report on field trip results
- Examine and interpret the interactions between climate, circulation, tectonics, weathering, and sedimentary environments
- Effectively and professionally communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts
Research Poster
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 20%
Students will produce a poster synthesising their research findings on a given time period in Earth’s history
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify the common types of sedimentary rocks, sedimentary structures, stratigraphic features, and use these to infer depositional environments
- Deduce the depositional history from a stratigraphic sequence
- Utilise specialised software and tools to interrogate samples or data sets to formulate internally consistent answers to scientific questions
- Examine and interpret the interactions between climate, circulation, tectonics, weathering, and sedimentary environments
- Effectively and professionally communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Workshops
GEOS2130 utilises the workshop format, i.e. there are no separately timetables lectures and practicals. Rather there will be recorded online lectures you will be expected to be familiar with before coming to the workshops, alternatively in some weeks lecture and practical hands-on content will be blended in weekly workshops. Lecture slides for pre-recorded lectures and within-workshop 'mini-lectures' will be available on the iLearn page but lecture recordings will not be provided for the within-workshop 'mini-lectures'.
Students are expected to satisfactorily participate in a minimum of 10 (ten) of the 12 (twelve) weekly workshops. To monitor this attendance will be recorded, and workshop hand-outs will be collected and reviewed each week. Due to space and supplies limitations, you must participate in the workshop session you are enrolled in. Permission to attend a different workshop may be possible and will be evaluated on a case by case basis, but this permission must be approved by the unit convenor in advance. Laptop computers will be provided if required. Food and drink are not allowed in the practical room for safety reasons.
Field work
During this unit we will have a field trip to the NSW South Coast from April 6th through April 10th to study both modern and ancient marine depositional environments. As a vital part of the unit, participation in the field trip is compulsory. There is a fee associated with this field trip and the costs will be discussed during the first few weeks of the unit. Students will need to provide their own appropriate personal field gear (sturdy footwear, rain jacket, field notebook) and purchase food in addition to the field trip fee. Please contact one of your instructors immediately with any concerns.
Quizzes
A quiz will be posted on iLearn weekly (except in week 13). Quizzes will cover material from each workshop, lecture content as well as material covered in the assigned reading materials. Your two lowest marks will be dropped, each of the remaining 10 quizzes will count for 2% of your final mark.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook