Undergraduate Units

GEOS112    The Planet Earth (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof George, Dr Flood, Dr Beggs, Dr Hesse

This unit is taught in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Geography (Environmental Science).

This is a unit recommended for all environmental scientists, geologists, geographers, biologists and others seeking an integrated view of the Planet Earth. The unit deals with the Earth as a dynamic system, tracing both the origins and workings of the solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere. The Earth's internal structure and tectonic processes (earthquakes, volcanism and plate movements), climate systems, climate variability and change, landforms, surface processes and the role of the biosphere are investigated. Models for the genesis of life are considered and patterns of evolution and extinction are traced through fossils and other evidence. Wherever possible, interactions (for example between landscape and climate, atmosphere and life, plate movements and landforms) are examined to develop a unified model of the global system. Special lectures are included to illustrate the human significance of the models examined.

GEOS125     Earth Dynamics (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Afonso 

When Offered: D2, X2
External students:  check session dates for on campus sessions and fieldwork dates.

Discover how the solid Earth works - investigate the dynamic link between plate tectonics and Earth evolution. This introductory unit is suitable for all students including those wanting to try a natural science. It explores the composition and structure of our planet and the dynamic processes that change our environment. Students become skilled at geoscience techniques that permit detailed study of the Earth and explore via case studies modern sedimentary environments; volcanoes and volcanic hazards; and economic geology. The unit provides a background in geoscience for further studies in geology, geophysics, geography, museum studies, geomorphology, soils, astronomy and environmental science; and insights into Earth materials and their relationship to the environment for students of economics, physics, archaeology, chemistry, biology, marine science and education. This unit involves eye-opening field trips in tutorial classes around campus and a day trip across the Blue Mountains.

GEOS126     Marine Geoscience  (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof Rushmer

This unit introduces students to the marine environment through study of the oceans, past and present. From the perspective of a marine scientist this unit considers: aspects of the geological history and dynamics of the oceans; recent techniques for probing the ocean’s depths; physical oceanographic processes; ocean circulation patterns; depositional environments, marine environments supporting life; long term global climate change; and human interactions with the marine environment. The unit includes practical exercieses including a boat trip to investigate sediment in a local estuary.

200 Level

GEOS204 Life, the Universe and Everything (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof George

This is a broad based interdisciplinary science unit which aims to present a non-technical overview of recent ideas in science. Many of these ideas relate to astrobiology, which is about the origin of life on Earth and the possibility of finding life elsewhere in the universe. The presentation is suitable for students without any science background. The unit presents an integrated view of science across a broad range of disciplines (geoscience, biology, cosmology, chemistry); looks at some of the 'big questions' (such as the origin of the Universe; What is Life?;  Are We Alone?; and early Earth Environments); and presents science as it is actually done, not just as a set of facts. Unit assessment is weighted towards three assignments and weekly assessed practicals, with just 30% on an exam.
This unit was ELS204 in 2007, and utilises some material from the 2003-2007 GEOS309 Astrobiology unit.
Further information on GEOS204 can be found here.

GEOS205     Introduction to Geophysics (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Lackie

Lectures in this unit cover, at an introductory level, some of the important geophysicsl 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 geophysicsl 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.

GEOS206     Marine Depositional Environments (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Flood

This unit builds the skills needed to understand geological processes and products of modern and ancient marine environments. The unit examines sedimentary and volcanic processes and their products; evidence of present day hydrothermal alteration and metamorphism of the oceanic lithosphere; and the formation of ore deposits in marine rocks. Emphasis is placed on reconstruction of ancient environments using lithological, geometrical and palaeotological data. There is a five day field trip to the New South Wales south coast.

GEOS207    Field and Laboratory Studies in Geoscience (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof Daczko

This unit integrates projects, lectures and laboratory classes to develop the theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience needed to map, describe and interpret rocks in the field and the laboratory. Field studies involve remote sensing methods, conventional air photo interpretation and ground-based observations of rock types, rock structures and the relationship between geology and topography. Laboratory studies include the preparation of materials for optical and x-ray diffraction studies and the identification of minerals using these methods.

GEOS226     Introduction to Field Geology (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof George

This is a field based unit with strong emphasis on observation and the development of mapping and generic field skills. Working in small groups students produce local and regional geological maps to reveal past environments and show how these environments change through time. This involves the study of both natural outcrops and coloured air photographs of the region, complemented by computers using state of the art  software.

GEOS251     Minerals, Energy and the Environment (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Schaefer

This is a general education unit that introduces students to the technical, social, economic and environmental aspects that lie behind the production and use of mineral and energy resources in Australia and the rest of the world. The end products of these resources are familiar to us as steel for cars, aluminium for pots and pans, crude oil for petrol and coal for electricity. Nowadays, we have to consider acid rain, greenhouse effect, heavy metal pollution, oil spills, radiation, land degradation and land rights. Scarcity and resource exhaustion are also concerns. We demand and accept the goods and services provided by the minerals industries, including the increased wealth resulting from mineral exports, yet increasingly oppose the development of the resources that produce these goods. This does not mean that opposition to development is necessarily bad, or that development is necessarily good. What it does mean is that it is important to look at the broad picture rather than concentrate on a particular, narrow facet of the ‘non renewable’ resource industries.

GEOS272 Geology of Australia - Global Perspectives (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof Rushmer

Investigate interdisciplinary perspectives on the origin and geological evolution of Australia and its plate margins. The Australian continent comprises practically all rock types from over 3.8 billion years of Earth’s history. 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. Place the spectacular diversity of Australian geology into a global perspective by exploring the active plate margins around the Australian tectonic plate.

300 Level

GEOS305    Environmental and Groundwater Geophysics (Unit Outline)     3cp    (resting in 2012)
Unit info

Staff contact: Dr Lackie

This unit looks at the application of geophysical techniques (seismic, electrical, potential field) to environmental, engineering and ground water problems. Practical work includes exercises in the reduction and interpretation of data. The field excursion gives students an appreciation of the practical application, problems and limitations of the techniques studied during the unit.

GEOS306     Exploration Geophysics     3cp    (available in 2012)
Unit info

Staff contact: Dr Lackie

This unit explores the application of geophysical techniques to exploration for minerals and petroleum. Topics include potential field, induced polarisation, electromagnetic, seismic reflection and radiometric methods. Generally, emphasis is placed on the applications and relative merits of the various methods for particular aspects of exploration, rather than on rigorous theoretical treatment. Practical work includes laboratory exercises in the reduction, plotting and interpretation of geophysicsl data, followed by case history studies. Field data collection using several methods is undertaken during the field excursion.

GEOS307    Field Geology and Mapping (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof Daczko

This unit aims to integrate stratigraphic, sedimentological, structural, igneous, metamorphic, remote sensing and tectonic field studies in a varied terrain. It provides extended experience in geological mapping, particularly in photo-geological techniques and study of local to regional relationships.This fieldwork involves significant walking for which a reasonable level of physical fitness is required.

GEOS309 Liquid Fuels and Energy Security (Unit Outline)     3cp    (resting in 2012)
Staff contact: A/Prof George

Fossil Fuels-especially oil and gas-are a major and key component of Australia's energy supply, but have significant impacts on our environment. To refine the balance between fossil fuel exploitation and negative impacts on our environment, it is important to understand how oil and gas are formed, how they are discovered and recovered, and how they can be utilised in less environmentally harmful ways. This unit combines geological and geophysical approaches to investigate exploration and production methods for crude oil, natural gas, and coal bed methane with a major focus on basin analysis- the key to understanding these processes. The key components of the petroleum system from source rocks formation through generation, expulsion, migration, accumulation and alteration in reservoirs will be studied, as will mechanisms for oil and gas production from conventional and unconventional reservoirs. Similar technologies are also utilised for geosequestration of CO2 from burning coal ('clean coal'), and the opportunities for this in Australia are assessed. There will also be a module on peak oil and Australia's energy outlook and security.

GEOS337    Geochemical Applications and Techniques (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof. Pearson

This is an introduction to the various analytical techniques used in inorganic geochemistry to determine the major element, trace element and isotopic composition of rocks and their constituent minerals. Advances in instrumentation and the development of new procedures has led to the acquisition of more complete data from individual samples and the more rapid processing of samples has resulted in the generation of large datasets. An emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamentals of the analytical techniques to remove the ‘black-box’ aura and to develop a basic working knowledge of the principles and procedures used in the evaluation and manipulation of geochemical data. Topics covered include a review of bulk analytical methods and microbeam techniques: X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry (including laser ablation microanalysis), thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. Class work comprises lectures, tutorials, computer practicals and laboratory/instrument practicals.

GEOS 343    Magmas, Ores and Geochemistry (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Schaefer

This unit explores the behaviour and evolution of silicate magmas and aqueous fluids in both the crust and mantle is developed. We use examples of mafic/ultramafic and intermediate-silicic magmatic rock associations and their associated fluids and ore deposits to investigate the geochemistry and petrology of magmatic systems. Such associations are investigated from a deposit scale to a mantle-domain scale. Physical attributes of magma-fluid systems and isotopes are considered as petrogenetic and exploration tools. Important ore deposits in sedimentary basins are also considered. Practical work involves geochemical databases with microscopic investigation of key magmatic suites, and fieldwork involving examples of magmatic processes suites may be undertaken.

GEOS344    Structural and Metamorphic Geology (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: A/Prof. Daczko

This unit considers the processes by which rocks become deformed and altered in response to physical conditions in the Earth’s crust, such as stress, geothermal gradient and burial-history. Scales range from microscopic to regional. Practical work comprises exercises on geometrical and kinematic analysis of brittle and ductile structures, superposed folding, reconstruction of large structures, deformational and metamorphic textures, metamorphic mineral assemblages, and laboratory and project work on metamorphic and structural styles in different tectonic environments (convergent, wrench and extensional).

GEOS345    Data and Image Processing in Geophysics and Exploration (Unit Outline)     3cp
Unit login

Staff contact: Dr Lackie

Offered: D2
Prereq: 30cp in GEOS units including GEOS268(P); 3cp in COMP units or permission of Dean of Division
This unit aims to provide familiarity with a variety of computer software packages that are currently being used by mining and exploration companies. The unit will be more an applied than a theoretical offering.

GEOS373    Volcanic Geology Fieldwork  (Unit Outline)  (available in VACN 2013 for February 2013) 3cp
Staff contact: Prof Turner

Modern magmatic environments of the Pacific Rim are the key to reconstruction of the circum-Pacific. Fieldwork and literature research form the foundation of the description and interpretation of the modern magmatic environments of New Zealand and assessment of their relevance to reconstruction of Paleozoic and Mesozoic volcanic-plutonic terrains in eastern Australia. Fieldwork is conducted in New Zealand during February (odd years).

GEOS375    Environmental Geology    3cp
Staff contact: Dr Handley

This unit deals with the interaction of people and the geological environment, including issues arising from people's occupation and exploitation of the Earth. The unit covers both urban and resource geology, and geologic hazards. Students will work on three projects based on realistic work-place scenarios including preparing tenders, data analysis and report writing using industry standard styles. One project will involve collection of data at a field site. The lecture program will include invited speakers from industry and government.

GEOS384    Earth and Planetary Sciences Special Interest Seminar     3cp
Staff contact: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Staff

In this unit a choice of seminars may be offered, each specialising in a particular area of interest in geology or geophysics. The areas are based upon patterns of staff and/or student interest. Students are asked to note that University Regulations state that no unit taken under the same code number can be counted more than once for credit towards a degree; accordingly they must take care to select only the most appropriate of the topics on offer. Students wishing to enter this unit are required to check with advisers about topics on offer prior to enrolling.

GEOS385     Global Tectonics (Unit Outline)     3cp
Staff contact: Dr Lackie

In this unit, integrated geophysical, petrological and stratigraphic methodologies are used to explore global tectonics. Recent advances in the understanding of the structure, composition and history of the lithosphere and the asthenosphere are presented. Continental reconstructions through time as inferred from geophysicsl, palaeomagnetic, palaeontological and geological evidence are discussed. Plate tectonics, supercycles and recent developments in the understanding of mantle/lithosphere dynamics are applied to the billion year tectonic history of Australia and its neighbours in Gondwaland.

There is more information about Postgraduate Unit descriptions and Postgraduate coursework and research degrees in the Postgraduate pages

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