Students

GEOS205 – Introduction to Geophysics

2018 – S2 External

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
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
3cp from GEOS units at 100 level
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Lectures in this unit cover, at an introductory level, some of the important geophysical approaches which are used by Earth scientists to explore and understand the Earth's interior. Included are the methods of collecting and interpreting gravity, magnetic, seismic and electrical data and their use in assembling the presently held picture of the crust, mantle and core. Practical classes involve reducing and interpreting geophysical data from both exploration and global problems. An excursion provides an opportunity to carry out a field survey and interpret the results in terms of geological structure and environmental aspects.

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:

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

General Assessment Information

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
Assignment 10% No TBA
Quizzes 14% No TBA
Field Report 26% No Week 13
Examination 50% No University Examination Period

Assignment

Due: TBA
Weighting: 10%

An assignment based on the practical work


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Quizzes

Due: TBA
Weighting: 14%

There will be three (3) Quizzes, each worth about 5% of the assessment. These will be held during the session, during week 4, week 8 and week 13. They will consist of short answer or multiple choice questions relating to the lecture material from the period preceding the quiz. Dates will be confirmed in class.


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

Field Report

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 26%

Performance at, and the report on the field excursion will be assessed, and make up 26% of the final mark. The due dates for external and internal students will be determined in consultation with students at the excursions.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%

There will be a two-hour final examination covering the material presented during the unit, and counting for 50% of the final mark. The examination will consist of a number of short answer questions on definitions and concepts, followed by an essay section requiring further description of concepts and theory.


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

Delivery and Resources

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

The textbook for the unit is MUSSETT and KHAN (Looking into the Earth, 2000). The textbook will be available from the COOP Bookshop. Copies of the PowerPoint’s shown in the lectures will be available on the unit’s WEB page. The recommended textbook is an excellent text for second year, but you can also consider some of the third year textbooks as well.

The texts you should first consider are DENTITH AND MUDGE  (Geophysics for the Mineral Exploration Geoscientist, 2014); SHARMA (Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, 1997) and REYNOLDS (An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, 1997), because they cover all the major geophysical topics, and are the recommended texts for the Exploration and Environmental Geophysics I (GEOS305) unit. They have the further advantage of consistently using the SI system of units.

In previous years we used a text by SHARMA (Geophysical Methods in Geology, 2nd Ed, 1986), but this is now out of print. SHARMA covers the global aspect of geophysics in more detail and is a useful reference to have if you can find a 2nd hand copy. In 1998, we used PARASNIS (Principles of Applied Geophysics, 5th Ed) but a change in publisher meant a massive increase in its cost.

However, it is a useful text to refer to if you can find a 2nd hand copy. Other useful texts to consider are; TELFORD ET AL (Exploration, fairly mathematical); KEAREY & BROOKS (Exploration, current 3rd year exploration text); FOWLER (Good solid-earth coverage, used in GEOS386); SLEEP & FUJITA (Solid-earth, more mathematical). The solid earth aspect of this unit is best covered in FOWLER. It is strongly recommended that you have access to a geophysical textbook, particularly if you are studying externally.

Technology Used and Required

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. As well, this site will access the on-line quizzes that will need to be completed during the Session.  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 GEOS205 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

Steve Hansen

L1

L2

Introduction

Wave motion  and seismic waves

How long does it take?

Week 2

 

Steve Hansen

L3

L4

Seismographs and Travel time curves

Earthquakes

Seismic waves

Week 3

 

Steve Hansen

Craig O’Neill

L5

L6

Seismic exploration

GPR

Earthquake

Interpretation

Week 4

 

Mark Lackie

L7

L8

Gravity: Fundamental principles

Reduction of gravity data

External Quiz 1

GPR & Refraction

Interpretation

Week 5

 

Mark Lackie

Craig O'Neill

L9

L10

Modelling and Interpretation of gravity data

Isostasy

Reduction of Gravity

Data

Week 6

 

Mark Lackie

L11

L12

Physics of magnetism

The Earth's magnetic field

Gridding

 & Isostasy

     

Residential Class

 

Week 7

 

Mark Lackie

L13

L14

Magnetic Surveying Techniques

Interpretation of magnetic data

*Gravity Modelling

     

Mid Semester Recess

 

 

Week 8

 

Kate Selway

L15

L16

Introduction to electrical methods

Methods of electrical surveying

External Quiz 2

Magnetic

Modelling

 

 

 

Possible Field Excursion

 

Week 9

 

Kate Selway

L17

L18

Induced Polarization,self potential

Electromagnetic exploration

Field data intro

*Three layer

Resistivity

 

 

 

***Field Excursio

 

Week 10

 

Mark Lackie

L19

L20

Palaeomagnetism

Reversals, geomagnetic time scale

 

*Field data

Compilation

Week 11

 

Mark Lackie

Craig O’Neill

L21

L22

Radiometric surveying

Geothermics

*Field data

Compilation

Week 12

 

Mark Lackie

L23

L24

GPS

Exploration Geophysics

*Field data

Compilation

Week 13

 

Craig O’Neill

L25

L26

Geophysics of  the Lithosphere

Satellite Geophysics

External Quiz 3

Field data

Compilation

 

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 shown in iLearn, 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.

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

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Quizzes
  • Field Report

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and

Assessment task

  • Field Report

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Quizzes
  • Field Report

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Quizzes
  • Examination

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Quizzes
  • Field Report

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Quizzes
  • Field Report

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

  • understanding of the basic concepts of geophysics;
  • gaining experience in operating geophysical equipment;
  • gaining experience in interpreting geophysical data;
  • gaining experience in modelling geophysical data;
  • understanding scientific methodology;
  • competence in accessing, using and synthesising appropriate information;
  • application of knowledge to solving problems and evaluating ideas and information; and
  • capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Field Report
  • Examination

Changes from Previous Offering

Updated assessment, schedule and delivery and resources.

2018: Updated assessment and schedule.