Students

EESC2150 – Mass extinctions and the hidden history of Earth

2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convener, Lecturer
Olivier Alard
Lecturer
Stefan Loehr
Lecturer
John Alroy
Lecturer
Tracy Rushmer
Lecturer (Field only)
Simon George
Lecturer (Field only)
Nathan Daczko
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
EESC1150 (or GEOS112 or GEOS1110 or GEOS125 or GEOS1120 or GEOS126 or GEOS1130)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

252 million years ago life on our planet was nearly exterminated: 96% of marine life and over 70% of terrestrial life went extinct. The causes for this mass extinction are still debated. In this unit we explore the geological history of this event. You will visit the site of the extinction boundary on a field trip and develop geological skills to understand the paleoenvironment and Earth processes that were changing at this time. You will interrogate continental reconstructions to uncover why there were glaciers near Sydney in the Permian and delve into the mantle to understand volcanoes, large igneous provinces and their devastating hazards. You will discuss how and why the magnetic field was changing at this time and investigate sediments and geochemistry to understand the link between Earth's interior and the surface. Through this analysis, we will try to understand one of the biggest questions in Earth Science: what caused the Permo-Triassic mass extinction? You will develop your skills in field work and geological mapping, rock and mineral identification in hand samples and under the microscope, viewing and probing global datasets and continent reconstructions, analysing geochemical data, and synthesising data to address scientific questions. This is a topical elective for those interested in how geoscience informs current and future environmental crises.

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:

  • ULO3: integrate scientific data from multiple sources to solve real-world problems and effectively communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts.
  • ULO1: observe, understand and record geological information in the field to map rocks and structures and interpret geological history including mass extinctions.
  • ULO2: identify and analyse common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks to deduce how they formed.
  • ULO4: develop team work, problem solving and project management skills to assess geological settings in Earth's past.

General Assessment Information

ssessment 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. 

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
Weekly Quizzes 15% No every week
Final exam 40% No Week 14
Literature Review 20% No 30/08/2021
Field Report 25% No 27/09/202

Weekly Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: every week
Weighting: 15%

 

Short weekly quizzes that test knowledge of lecture and workshop material and may be online or in class. See iLearn for a detailed list of quizzes in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • integrate scientific data from multiple sources to solve real-world problems and effectively communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts.
  • identify and analyse common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks to deduce how they formed.

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: Week 14
Weighting: 40%

 

Final examination that requires the application of skills and knowledge developed in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • integrate scientific data from multiple sources to solve real-world problems and effectively communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts.
  • identify and analyse common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks to deduce how they formed.

Literature Review

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 30/08/2021
Weighting: 20%

 

A summary, interpretation or an evaluation of research findings in a field of study. See iLearn for details of the literature review.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • integrate scientific data from multiple sources to solve real-world problems and effectively communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts.

Field Report

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 27/09/202
Weighting: 25%

 

A report comprising multiple components that may include preparation for going in the field, field-based tasks and analysis of data collected in the field. See iLearn for details.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • integrate scientific data from multiple sources to solve real-world problems and effectively communicate scientific information to experts and non-experts.
  • observe, understand and record geological information in the field to map rocks and structures and interpret geological history including mass extinctions.
  • identify and analyse common sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks to deduce how they formed.
  • develop team work, problem solving and project management skills to assess geological settings in Earth's past.

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

11 Workshops of 3h + Reading Assignement (≈1.5h/week)

Fieldwork: 5-day field trip (including 32 hours face to face teaching)

Unit iLearn

This unit has an iLearn page that can be accessed through ilearn.mq.edu.au. It contains important information and other materials relating to the unit, including details and links for assessments.

Communication

The unit iLearn is the primary way that we communicate with you. Please check it regularly for announcements and posts. You are encouraged to use the Discussion Board on iLearn to post questions and generate discussion with other students. Please only email the convenor with private matters – all other questions should be posted on iLearn.

Unit Organisation

This unit is delivered in weekly topics.  The organisation of these is outlined in a detailed unit schedule which is available on iLearn.

Classes

The class timetable for this unit can be found through the Timetable portal.

Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Echo360. See the Instructions on how to log in to iLearn and the iLearn quick guides for students which will help you:

  • Getting started - Find out how to navigate and familiarise yourself with the iLearn environment
  • Activities - Learn how to effectively complete the activities required of you in iLearn
  • Assignments and Gradebook - Find out how to submit assessments and view your grades using iLearn
  • Online study tips - Studying online is a unique experience, learn how to navigate it here
  • Discussion forums - Explore the different types, and features of discussion forums in iLearn
  • Lecture recordings - Find out how to access lectures online, as well as the features available to you

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:

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 2021.01 of the Handbook