Postgraduate Units
GEOS800 Earth Science Project
4
postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1, D2, X2
A 5,000-word paper, students to contact a supervisor. The subject
matter may take the form of a review of the literature, or of an
individual investigation, or both. A written report of the content
must be presented in a style suitable for publication or a seminar
presentation given.
GEOS802 FieldTechniques in Geoscience
3 postgraduate
credit points
A
field-based
unit with a strong emphasis on the observation
and delineation of rock units using simple mapping techniques.
The concepts
of depositional
environments,
rock succession
and rock deformation
will be developed during small group tutorials.
A final report
will include
a discussion
on the tectonic
evolution of
the area covered
by the field
mapping.
GEOS803 Minerals
and Energy
in a Global
Environment
4 postgraduate credit points
Introduces
issues that underlie supply and
utilisation of mineral and energy
resources. While we expect the
end products will be available,
we often oppose the basis of their
development. It is important to
examine the broader picture. This
unit examines many interrelated
aspects, covering resource availability,
consumption patterns, environmental
impacts, and government policies
and constraints.
GEOS804 Advanced
Field
Mapping
4
postgraduate credit points
Introduces
field geological and geophysical
techniques required to map
and understand multiply deformed
metamorphic terrains. The 9-day
field trip in Broken Hill is
held during the Winter Vacation.
The field trip focuses on mapping
in a terrain, where the locally
well-preserved stratigraphic
relationships may have been
obscured by intense, or multiple,
deformation and metamorphic
events.
GEOS805 Advanced
Structure
and
Metamorphism
5
postgraduate credit points
This
unit considers processes by which
rocks become deformed and metamorphosed. Practical
work includes kinematic analysis
of brittle and ductile structures,
superposed folding, deformation
and metamorphic textures, metamorphic
mineral assemblages, etc. A
field trip provides experience
in unraveling the history of
complex rocks and practice in
detailed outcrop analysis.
GEOS806 Studies
in Environmental
Geology
5
postgraduate credit points
The
unit covers the interaction of
people and the geological environment
including urban and resource
geology, and geologic hazards.
Projects are based on work-place
scenarios including preparing
tenders, data analysis and report
writing using industry standard
styles. One includes data collection
at a field site. The lecture
program includes invited speakers
from industry.
GEOS807 Problems in Sedimentary Geology (Talent, Mawson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1, X2
Prereq: special permission and/or Coreq: GEOS902 and GEOS903. Recommended
that intending students have already taken GEOS900 and GEOS854; GEOS397
are useful additional units.
A field-based unit for postgraduate palaeobiology students, focused
on discrimination of communities in the field mapping of these as
parts of sedimentary units, and measurement, collection and logging
of stratigraphic sections as a basis for preliminary biozonation
on macro faunas preparatory to advanced laboratory work that could
form part of dissertations.
GEOS809 Geophysics Laboratory Project (Geophysics staff)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1, X2
An approved laboratory or computer project in an area of geophysics.
Completion of the project must be accompanied by a report written
in a style suitable for publication.
GEOS813 Geophysics Reading Project (Geophysics staff)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1, X2
An approved reading project in an advanced topic from an area of
geophysics. A presentation of a seminar and written report are required
on completion of this project.
GEOS815 Principles of Deformation (Durney)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: even years only, by arrangement
The physical principles underlying deformation of rocks applied to
concepts and analysis of various types of geological structure. Stress,
strain, progressive deformation and material properties as tensor
quantities. Fracture patterns and shear zones. Finite deformation
in two dimensions; problems of distortion of primary structures,
GEOS816 Geophysics (Lackie)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1
Exclusions: GEOS268.
For students without previous formal studies in geophysics but a
quantitative inclination.
The collection and interpretation of gravity, magnetic, seismic,
and electrical data; the use of these methods in assembling the currently
held view of the earth's structure, and their use in geophysicsl
exploration. Off-campus field work may be undertaken.
GEOS818 Volcanic Geology (Dadd)
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1, odd years only,
Modern (Cenozoic) magmatic environments of the Pacific as a key to
reconstruction of ancient magmatic environments. Field work and literature
research form the basis for description and interpretation of the
active magmatic environments of New Zealand and assessment of their
relevance to reconstruction of Palaeozoic volcanic-plutonic terrains
in eastern New South Wales.
GEOS821 Earth Science (Daczko)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: E1, D2, X2
This unit is for students without previous formal studies in geology.
Topics include: the dynamic links between internal and surface features
of the earth, in terms of plate tectonics and the rock cycle, and
the dependence of the environment on these geological cycles. This
unit provides an introduction to earth sciences suitable for students
of geosciences and environmental and life sciences and law. Short
field trips provide practical experience.
GEOS827 Tectonics of the Earth
5
postgraduate credit points
Integrated
geophysical, petrological and
stratigraphic methodologies are
used to explore the tectonics
of the Earth. Recent advances
in the understanding of the structure,
composition and history of the
lithosphere, asthenosphere and
mantle are presented. Continental
reconstructions through time
as inferred from geophysical,
palaeomagnetic, and geological
evidence are discussed.
GEOS828 Palaeoenvironmental and Biostratigraphic Solutions
4 postgraduate credit points
Using
fossils to elucidate problems
concerning palaeotemperature,
palaeobathymetry, changes in
vegetation and biodiversity,
biotopes, and biofacies; fossils
as proxies for climate change;
principles of chronologic alignment
and isotopic signatures. Especially
useful for students interested
in the environment, biology,
Quaternary geology, palaeontology
or geology. Optional fieldwork
with a researcher in the Centre.
GEOS829 Geophysical data Processing
4 postgraduate credit points
A
variety of computer software
packages, that are being utilised
by mining and exploration companies,
are used to process and interpret
geophysical data. The unit
will investigate potential
field (magnetic and gravity),
electrical and seismic datasets.
This unit will be more an applied
than a theoretical offering.
GEOS832 Ore Deposit Environments (Jackson)
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D2, X2 , odd years only.
Ore deposits of the world are studied and their tectonic setting,
stratigraphic and structural control, palaeogeographic setting, depositional
environment, rock associations and geochemical associations, together
with geothermometric, stable isotopic and other pertinent data are
interpreted. Exploration parameters for the various classes of ore
deposits are considered in assignments and seminars.
GEOS835 Geomechanics (Durney)
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered: odd years only.
Prereq: Basic studies in mathematics or physics; major studies in
earth sciences, engineering or pedology. For students without previous
formal work or studies in soil or rock mechanics.
The mechanical behaviour of soil and rock materials is studied from
the engineering geology and geomorphological viewpoints. Application
to problems in mining and civil engineering work. Composition, engineering
properties and classification of soils and rock materials; modification
and stabilisation. Elementary elastic theory; stress and strain analysis
methods, common stability problems.
GEOS844 Applied Palaeontology (Brock)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1, D2, X2
Prereq: GEOS821 or 3 cr pts in biology.
Application of palaeontology to the solving of stratigraphic, palaeobiologic,
and environmental problems; practical introduction to procedures
in micropalaeontological laboratories.
GEOS854 Environments of the Lithosphere (Flood, Dadd)
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1 annually and X1 in odd years only.
Exclusions: GEOS260. Prereq: GEOS821 or equivalent.
Processes and products of modern and ancient marine environments.
GEOS855 Earth Systems Evolution (Flood, Mawson, Brock)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered D2, X2
Exclusions: GEOS272; no prerequisites.
Interdisciplinary perspectives on the origin and evolution of the
Earth, especially the changing web of interrelationships between
the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere
and from this back-drop, consideration of current environmental concerns
in a way that will help participants make informed decisions no matter
what those decisions might be.
GEOS856 Coral Reef Environments (Talent, Mawson, Brock)
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered X1 in even years only.
Exclusions: GEOS424. Prereq: basic earth sciences, biology or palaeontology.
Reefs as dynamic systems: process of formation, biodiversity, symbiosis,
recruitment, bioturbation and bioerosion, interaction of the biota
of the reef, management of reefs, response to global warming and
changing patterns of carbonate buildups through time
GEOS858 Environmental Geophysics (Lackie)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D2, X2 odd years only
Exclusions: GEOS305, GEOS315. Prereq: GEOS816 or equivalent
Seismology, seismic refraction, potential field and electrical methods
and geophysical well-logging with an emphasis on applications to
engineering site and groundwater investigation and pollution monitoring.
Off-campus fieldwork will be undertaken.
GEOS874 Geophysical Prospecting (Lackie)
4 pg credit points
Offered: D2, X2, even years only
Exclusions: GEOS306, GEOS316. Prereq: GEOS816 or equivalent.
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. Off-campus
fieldwork will be undertaken.
GEOS875 Structural Petrology (Durney)
4 pg credit points
Offered: D2.
Prereq: GEOS900 and GEOS832
Interpretation of microstructures and preferred orientation in terms
of deformation mechanisms, recovery and recrystallisation processes.
Principles governing the chronological analysis of multiply deformed
rocks. Mechanisms and thermodynamic aspects of solution, deposition
and fluid-rock interaction during deformation, with emphasis on syntectonic
veining, progressive deformation, incremental strain analysis and
cleavage development.
GEOS876 Advanced Geochemical Applications and Techniques (Jackson,
Pearson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1
Exclusions: GEOS437.
Prereq: GEOS854 or CMBS208.
This course provides "hands-on" training and operation
of state-of-the-art instrumentation used in inorganic geochemical
analysis to determine major element, trace element and isotopic composition
of rocks and minerals. The unit comprises lectures, group instrument
instruction and individual projects. The project includes planning
the analytical strategy, data collection, data presentation and interpretation.
GEOS891 MSc Dissertation
16 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1, D2, X2
Students to contact their program supervisor. .
Dissertation for MSc coursework candidates that must be a substantial
research project on a chosen topic. The student will analyse his/her
own data and will compare his/her findings to literature results
on this topic.
GEOS899 Geoscience Research Topic
12 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1, D2, X2
Students to contact the lecturer concerned.
This unit will allow the student to demonstrate the successful application
of knowledge gained from formal units and literature to an area of
specialised research. The student may be assigned an individual supervisor
depending upon the area of the topic.
GEOS900 Geoscience in the Field and Laboratory
5 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D2
Develop skills needed to map, describe and interpret rocks in the
field and laboratory. Techniques include microscopy, x-ray diffraction,
x-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe, geoscience computing and
the construction and interpretation of maps. Practical experience
in the application of these techniques is gained through three case
studies, including one involving sophisticated data collection in
the field, where you become proficient in modern geoscientific skills.
GEOS901 Problems in Earth Sciences (Mawson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1, V2, D2, X2
A project/assignment orientated unit based on solving a problem or
a series of problems of earth science-related problems in the field
and /or laboratory. These may also include topics in the museums
or the philosophy of science relating to the earth sciences. Topics
will be designed according to student background and program of studies.
GEOS902 Palaeoecoology and Palaeobiogeography (Mawson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1
The interplay of palaeontology, geology, ecology, ecology and evolution.
Marine, freshwater and terrestrial fossil assemblages with special
emphasis on reef environments, communities and the concept of 'community
evolution'. Principals and purpose of palaeobiogeographic studies
incorporating both theory and practice.
GEOS903 Case Studies in Palaeobiology (Mawson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1
A series of case studies based on current palaeobiologic research
with special reference to the form and function of extinct invertebrates
groups, palaeoengineering and approaches to physiology and behaviour
of extinct vertebrates.
GEOS904 Evolutionary Trends and Taxonomic Determinations (Mawson)
4 postgraduate credit points
Offered: D1, X1
Identification of various fossil groups, for example, brachiopods,
trilobites, bivalves, echinoderms, using traditional phylogenetic
classification compared to computer-generated keys. Evolutionary
trends in various stratigraphically import groups is considered.
Hands on experience in collecting, preparing and identifying fossil
material.
GEOS905 Introduction to Coral Reefs (Mawson)
3 postgraduate credit points
Offered: X1
The dynamics of coral reefs, their genesis and structure. Reefs of
the past and problems of the present. The unit involves a 9-day field
excursion to Heron Island