University of Sydney Handbooks - 2016 Archive

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Table 2: Geoarchaeology

Table 2 lists optional majors available only to students in the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics).

Students in all other award courses and combined degrees, eg, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts, are not eligible for Table 2 majors.

Students in the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Science (Advanced) and the Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) wishing to complete a Table 2 major are still required to complete a minimum of one Table 1 major.

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session

Geoarchaeology

For a major in Geoarchaeology, the minimum requirement is 24 credit points from Senior units of study comprising:
(i) ARCA2639 and GEOS3103/3803, and
(ii) two units of study taken from ARCA2602, ARCA2635, SOIL3009.
Senior units of study
ARCA2602
Field Methods

This unit of study is not available in 2016

6    P 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology or (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089)
N ARPH3921
Semester 1
ARCA2635
Explanation and Theory in Archaeology
6    P 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology or (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089)
Semester 1
ARCA2639
Archaeological Principles and Practice
6    P 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology OR (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089)
N ARCA2601
Semester 1
GEOS3103
Environmental and Sedimentary Geology
6    A (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and GEOS2124
P ((GEOS2124 or GEOS2924) and (GEOS2111 or GEOS2911 or GEOS2114 or GEOS2914 or GEOS2113 or GEOS2913)), or ((GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and 24 credit points of Intermediate Science units of study)
N GEOS3803
Semester 2
GEOS3803
Environmental and Sedimentary Geology(Adv)
6    A (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and GEOS2124
P Distinctions in (GEOS2114 or GEOS2914) and (GEOS2124 or GEOS2924)
N GEOS3103


Prerequisites: Students who have a credit average for all Geoscience units may enrol in this unit with permission of the Head of School.
Semester 2
SOIL3009
Contemporary Field and Lab Soil Science
6    P SOIL2003
Semester 1

Geoarchaeology

For a major in Geoarchaeology, the minimum requirement is 24 credit points from Senior units of study comprising:
(i) ARCA2639 and GEOS3103/3803, and
(ii) two units of study taken from ARCA2602, ARCA2635, SOIL3009.
Senior units of study
ARCA2602 Field Methods

This unit of study is not available in 2016

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr workshop/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology or (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089) Prohibitions: ARPH3921 Assessment: 1x3000wd report/lab book (60%) and 1x1000wd class test (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is an essential introduction to the basic principles and skills involved in archaeological fieldwork. A special focus is on the practical aspects of archaeological research design, including sampling and survey strategies. The unit includes lectures and on-campus training in core survey techniques, including site descriptions and field-plans, tape and compass site recording and surveys using dumpy-level. The ethical and legal aspects of archaeological field investigations will also be considered.
ARCA2635 Explanation and Theory in Archaeology

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology or (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089) Assessment: 1x2500wd essay (50%), 1x1000wd in-class test (20%), 1x1000wd tutorial exercise (20%), tutorial participation (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit provides an introduction to theory and explanation in archaeology. By exploring changes in archaeological thought over time, in a historical context, students will come to better understand the diversity of contemporary archaeological practice and the various ways in which archaeologists seek to explain past societies. This unit is compulsory for all students majoring in Archaeology and creates the foundation for their senior studies.
ARCA2639 Archaeological Principles and Practice

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 Junior credit points of Archaeology OR (6 Junior credit points of Archaeology and ANHS1600 or ANHS1601 or ANTH1001 or ARHT1001 or HSTY1089) Prohibitions: ARCA2601 Assessment: 1x2500wd Essay (50%) and 2x2000wd class tests (2x25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This subject gives an introduction to some of the major principles and practices in archaeological research and interpretation. Topics will include archaeological research design, site formation processes, dating techniques and the basic principles behind archaeological laboratory processes and the classification and analysis of artefacts. It will also examine the quantification and interpretation of archaeological data and some of the ethical, legal and practical aspects of archaeological research.
GEOS3103 Environmental and Sedimentary Geology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Dan Penny (Coordinator), Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 3 hour tutorial/practical class per week Prerequisites: ((GEOS2124 or GEOS2924) and (GEOS2111 or GEOS2911 or GEOS2114 or GEOS2914 or GEOS2113 or GEOS2913)), or ((GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and 24 credit points of Intermediate Science units of study) Prohibitions: GEOS3803 Assumed knowledge: (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and GEOS2124 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, practical reports and quizes (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Sediments and sedimentary rocks cover most of the Earth's surface, record much of the Earth's geological and climatic history and host important resources such as petroleum, coal, water and mineral ores. The aim of this unit is to provide students with the skills required to examine, describe and interpret sediments and sedimentary rocks for a variety of different purposes. Specific foci of the unit will be the identification of the recent or ancient environment in which sedimentary materials were deposited, the environmental controls which produce sedimentary structures, and the processes that control the production, movement and storage of sediment bodies. On completion of this unit students will be familiar with the natural processes that produce and modify sediments across a range of environments at the Earth's surface, including fluvial, aeolian, lacustrine, marginal marine and deep marine environments. The various controls on the sedimentary record such as climate and sea-level change, as well as diagenesis and geochemical cycles will also be discussed. Practical exercises will require students to examine global datasets, and determine the properties and significance of sediments and sedimentary rocks. The course is relevant to students interested in petroleum or mineral exploration, environmental and engineering geology as well as marine geoscience.
Textbooks
Course notes will be available from the Copy Centre and an appropriate set of reference texts will be placed on special reserve in the library.
GEOS3803 Environmental and Sedimentary Geology(Adv)

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Dan Penny (Coordinator), Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 3 hour tutorial/practical class per week. Prerequisites: Distinctions in (GEOS2114 or GEOS2914) and (GEOS2124 or GEOS2924) Prohibitions: GEOS3103 Assumed knowledge: (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and GEOS2124 Assessment: One 2 hour exam, practical, field reports and quizzes (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Prerequisites: Students who have a credit average for all Geoscience units may enrol in this unit with permission of the Head of School.
This unit has the same objectives as GEOS3103 and is suitable for students who wish to pursue aspects of the subject in greater depth. Entry is restricted and selection is made from the applicants on the basis of their performance at the time of enrolment. Students who elect to take this unit will participate in alternatives to some aspects of the standard unit and will be required to pursue independent work to meet unit objectives. Specific details for this unit of study will be announced in meetings with students in week 1 of semester.
Textbooks
Course notes will be available from the Copy Centre and appropriate set of reference texts will be placed on special reserve in the library.
SOIL3009 Contemporary Field and Lab Soil Science

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Alex McBratney (Coordinator), A/Prof Balwant Singh, A/Prof. Stephen Cattle, A/Prof Budiman Minasny, Dr Damien Field Session: Semester 1 Classes: (2 lec, 2 prac or 1 lec, 3 prac )/wk, 6-day field excursion north-western NSW commencing 15 days prior to beginning of Semester 1 Prerequisites: SOIL2003 Assessment: 1 x viva voce exam (40%), soil physics written assessments (20%), soil chemistry written assessments (20%), soil judging (12%), pedology written assessments (8%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This is a theoretical and empirical unit providing specialised training in three important areas of contemporary soil science, namely pedology, soil chemistry and soil physics. The key concepts of these sub-disciplines will be outlined and strengthened by hands-on training in essential field and laboratory techniques. All of this is synthesized by placing it in the context of soil distribution and use in North-Western New South Wales. The unit is motivated by the teaching team's research in this locale. It builds on students, existing soil science knowledge gained in SOIL2003. After completion of the unit, students should be able to articulate the advantages and disadvantages of current field and laboratory techniques for gathering necessary soil information, and simultaneously recognise key concepts and principles that guide contemporary thought in soil science. Students will be able to synthesise soil information from a multiplicity of sources and have an appreciation of the cutting edge areas of soil management and research. By investigating the contemporary nature of key concepts, students will develop their skills in research and inquiry. Students will develop their communication skills through report writing and will also articulate an openness to new ways of thinking which augments intellectual autonomy. Teamwork and collaborative efforts are encouraged in this unit.
Textbooks
Textbooks: D. Hillel. 2004. Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics. Elsevier Science, San Diego, CA, USA, R. Schaetzl and S. Anderson 2005. Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA, D.L. Sparks 2003 Environmental Soil Chemistry (2nd edn). Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA