Presentation of Written Reports

Since most of what you learn is tested in written form, it is essential that you learn to write effectively. You are required to research, prepare and write the research abstracts, the case study and field trip reports. Organisation is the key to achieving this, and the following steps should assist you.

Preparation of reports:

1. Determine what is required in the case study report. Make sure you understand each word used to ensure that you are writing to the topic set, not to one of your own invention.
2. Read the relevant unit material and generate a list of key words, which will help you locate other references in the Library. Do this early. Remember that reference books may be hard to find if you leave your library research too late.
3. When taking notes from a reference always note the bibliographical information and Call Number. If you write down a quotation, take a note of the page it was on. There is nothing more frustrating than having to look back through a book for one sentence.

The Drafts (at least one — more probably two or three)

1. Keep referring back to the question — have you strayed from the topic?
2. Single sentences or paragraphs should not express too many ideas. A logical development of your theme should be the aim throughout the essay.
3. In your initial draft, do not worry too much about the word limit. It is a simple matter to cut extraneous or repetitive material in subsequent rewrites — in fact this should be your aim.
4. Support your statements with facts and references.
5. References: quotations should be used only if the point being made is vital to your argument and if you could not express it better yourself.

Formatting

1. All typed text submitted for case studies is to be 12 point font at 1.5 line spacing. Margins should be approximately 2cm. Place your name and student number in the header and number each page.
2. Page limits should be strictly adhered to.
3. In all that you hand in, marks will be given for “communication”; that is how effectively you communicate your ideas. This will include how well your text/maps/profiles/sketches convey your concepts, and how well written your report is (including correct use of English and of referencing procedures).

* All text-based assessments are to be submitted electronically (via Turnitin) 

* Students must keep a copy of their reports.

Desired Standards

Extensions

Extensions for reports and workshop submissions will be given only for illness or misadventure, which must be supported by documentation and a written request. This request should also indicate the extension period required.

For Tasks 10% or above - No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 5% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 10% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.

Feedback

Feedback on assessment tasks is given in this unit in the following ways:

1) Our primary mode of assessment feedback: the assessment marker will present overall feedback to the class, at either a lecture or in a tutorial, on what aspects of the assignment were done best and where improvement is needed in general.

2) Scoring full marks for a given component indicates that you did exceptionally well. Alternatively, scoring poorly in a component strongly suggests it required further work.

3) Students are strongly encouraged to seek further feedback (at the time it is given or by making an appointment with the assessment marker) if they are unsure of any aspect of the feedback or if they want further feedback.

4) In the instance of scoring very poorly overall, you will be provided with written feedback on the assignment indicating where you could improve.

This unit on the origin and geological evolution of Australia and its plate margins.  During this unit we will explore the geology of Australia from Archaean cratonic shields to Proterozoic fold belts and sedimentary basins of the western two-thirds of Australia. Discover the immense continental growth during the Phanerozoic evolution of the eastern margin of Australia.  We will have a guest lecturer Dr. Dick Glen, a former Principal Research Scientist at the Geological Survey of NSW, who will also lead a weekend field trip to the Goulburn area (Lachlan Orogen field trip). You will also learn about the main concepts of U-Pb geochronology and explore appropriate computer tools to solve problems related to geochronology.

This unit integrates projects, lectures and laboratory classes to develop theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to map, describe and interpret rocks in the field and laboratory. Field studies involve ground-based observations of rock types, rock structures and the relationship between geology and topography. 

Contacts and Communication

Convenors:  A/Prof. Nathan Daczko (nathan.daczko@mq.edu.au) and Dr. Elena Belousova (elena.belousova@mq.edu.au)

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), Macquarie University.

EPS Admin (if Convenors are not available): E7A/12 Wally's Walk, Level 3, Office 317 or 318, phone 02 9850 8426 or 02 9850 8373

Other staff teaching on unit and guest lecturers:

Dr Bruce Schaefer                           EPS, E5B 204

bruce.schaefer@mq.edu.au               Ph: 9859 8368   

Dr Dick Glen (visiting lecturer)

geology.rg@gmail.com                      Mobile: 04128 16437

If sending email, please include GEOS272 in the subject line.

We will communicate to you mainly through your student email account/iLearn at Macquarie University. Please make sure you check this email at least weekly.

Late Enrolments

If you enrol late in the unit, you will have already missed one or more lectures. It is your responsibility to catch up. Also, you will still be expected to submit all assignments within the remaining time.

Lectures, availability of lecture material and attendance requirements

It is the policy in this unit to encourage students to attend one lecture and one practical per week, and make their own notes from the lectures. It is expected that many of the lectures will be interactive, with questions and answers throughout. Lectures will be recorded using Echo 360, and files of the lecture graphics will also be made available through iLearn. These will be particularly useful for revision purposes. Note that Class Quizzes will be given during practicals or lectures, so do not miss them! (External students will have online access to their quizzes).

Hours

This is a 3 credit point unit. It is anticipated that you will spend >9 hours per week involved with the unit, including the 5-hour class contact time per week. It is particularly important that you spend plenty of time preparing the four major assignments: Research Topic Abstract, Narrabeen Field Report, Geological History Assignment and Video Presentation.

Set Textbook and Background Reading

• Text Book by Robert Henderson and David Johnson "The Geology of Australia", 3rd Edition, ISBN: 978-1-107-43241-3 OR alternatively Text Book by David Johnson, James Cook University, “The Geology of Australia”, 2nd Edition, 2009, ISBN: 9780521767415
• There is no set textbook for the structural and metamorphic geology components
• Background notes from Prof. Geoff Clarke, University of Sydney (will be available on iLearn)
• You will need access to iLearn for quizzes and unit resources: Unit Guide, lectures and practicals
• You will use computers in some practicals
• You will need to be able to access books and journal papers in the library
• You will be exposed to a variety of materials and concepts in the practicals 

LECTURE AND PRACTICAL SCHEDULE: GEOS 272 The Geology of Australia: Global Perspectives   

Semester 2. Lecture: Tuesday 9-11am 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - 264 Tutorial Rm;  Practicals: Friday 1-4 pm 11WW 210

What has changed?

Approximately half of this unit now integrates projects, lectures and laboratory classes to develop theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to map, describe and interpret rocks in the field and laboratory.  It will focus more on field studies, including rock structures, map reading, stratigraphy, unconformities and the relationship between geology and topography, along with the detailed description of metamorphic rocks and microstructures.