Outline

Overview

This unit has the same objectives as GEOS1003 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 ATAR or UAI and/or their university performance at the time of enrolment. Students that 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. This unit may be taken as part of the BSc (Advanced).

Unit details and rules

Unit code	GEOS1903
Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	GEOS1003 or GEOL1002 or GEOL1902
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	(ATAR 90 or above) or equivalent
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Vasileios Chatzaras, vasileios.chatzaras@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Utpal Singh, utpal.singh@sydney.edu.au
	Jonathon Leonard, jonathon.leonard@sydney.edu.au
	Kelsie Dadd, kelsie.dadd@sydney.edu.au
	Eric Wang, eric.wang1@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vasileios Chatzaras, vasileios.chatzaras@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Sara Moron Polanco, sara.moronpolanco@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Short Answers - Complete Questions and Map Problems	35%	Formal exam period	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Practical assignments Completion and submission of four practical assignments during the unit.	16%	Multiple weeks	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	On-line Quizzes Four short on-line multiple choice quizzes	14%	Multiple weeks	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Field trip Sydney Basin Geology (in-person) Self-. directed excursion (online).	10%	Week 10	One day
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Rock Identification quiz See assessment summary	20%	Week 13	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Practical participation and attendance See assessment summary	0%	Weekly	2.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Pre-practical quizzes See assessment summary	5%	Weekly	Unlimited - Successful at 100% score
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	On-line self-test quizzes Online Canvas quiz	0%	Weekly	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Pre-practical quizzes – 5% (Weekly): Completion of online multiple-choice questions is required before attending practical classes. Each quiz will be based on the week’s practical exercise provided in the Practical Manual. Unlimited attempts are availble for each quiz. Each of the 10 quizzes contributes 0.5% to your final mark (10 x 0.5% = 5% of the total marks for the unit). Each quiz will be considered succesfully completed when a score of 100% is reached. Any score less than 100% is worth of 0%.
Practical attendance and participation: Practical attendance and participation is based on the completion of the weekly worksheets. Worksheets should be completed during class and checked by your tutors. Feedback will be provided during the practical as appropriate.
Practical assignments – 16% (Weeks 3, 5, 8, 12): The four compulsory assignments will consist of activities and questions that need to be completed during the corresponding practical classes. Each of the four assignments will contribute 4% to your final mark (4 x 4% = 16% of the total marks for the unit).
On-Line Quizzes – 14% (Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12): The fourcompulsory on-line quizzes will be presented via Canvas and will test your understanding of the material presented in lectures and practical classes. They will usually consist of ten multiple-choice or short answer questions and test your knowledge of material presented in the preceding weeks’ lectures and practical classes. Each of the four quizzes will contribute 3.5% to your final mark (4 x 3.5% = 14% of the total marks for the unit). Note that they may include questions that test your rock identification skills and/or your geological map skills.
Field trip – 10% (Week 10): An in-person field exercise and a self-directed remote aletrnative exercise requiring you to make geological observations and interpretations foccussed on the geology of Sydney Basin. This item will contribute 10% to your final mark.
Rock ID quiz – 20% (Week 13): During the practical classes of week 13 all students are required to sit a Rock ID quiz. This test will focus on the identification and description of a set of unknown geological samples (rocks / minerals). This item will contribute 20% towards your final mark.
Final examination (35%): The final exam will be a three-hour exam comprised of questions requiring short answers and a geological map problem. The final examination will integrate lecture material and concepts together with the knowledge and understanding you acquired in practical classes. All material presented in both lectures and practical classes is potentially examinable in the final exam. The final exam contributes 35% of your final mark for this unit of study.
Self-test quizzes: Completion of these quizzes, which will be available on the Canvas Site, will not count towards your final mark. They are provided to assist students to understand the course content. It is in your interest to attempt this task as it will provide you with feedback on your progress in understanding the practical and lecture material.

More information for each of these assessment tasks can be found on the Unit’s Canvas Site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work awarded a high distinction grade will accurately answer the question in an impressive, compelling, or highly persuasive manner or is otherwise exceptional in some other way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work awarded a distinction grade will accurately answer the question in a convincing, confident manner or the answers are well written, with clear structure and cogent expression.
Credit	65 - 74	Work awarded a credit grade will answer appropriately and will be reasonably detailed. The answers are easily understood with both clear expression and structure if appropriate.
Pass	50 - 64	Work awarded a passing grade will have appropriate but superficial answer. The answers can be understood but may be poorly worded or somewhat flawed due to poor grammar, expression or structure.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For the Pre-practical quizzes, On-Line Quizzes, Rock ID quiz and Final examination, late submissions are prohibited and will receive a mark of zero. For the Practical Assignments and Field Trip Assignment, written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Earth Science - The Past and Future of our Planet	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Earth Science - The Past and Future of our Planet	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Common igneous minerals	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 02	Plate Tectonics - The Rock Cycle; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Plate Tectonics - The Rock Cycle	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Igneous rock textures	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 03	Igneous Rocks and Processes; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Igneous Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Classifying igneous rocks	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 04	Sedimentary Rocks and Processes; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Sedimentary Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Sedimentary rocks 1	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 05	Life Through the Ages; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Life through the Ages	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Sedimentary rocks 2	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 06	The Geological Map; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	The geological map	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Introduction to geological maps	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 07	Metamorphic Rocks and Processes; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Metamorphic Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Metamorphic Reactions and Rock Textures	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 08	Geological Structures; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Metamorphic Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Naming Metamorphic Rocks	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 09	Plate Tectonics and Natural Hazards; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Plate Tectonics and Natural Hazards	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Structures on Geological Maps and Cross Sections	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 10	Geology of Sydney Basin (in-person) and Self-Directed Field Experience (online)	Field trip (8 hr)
Week 11	Geological Histories and Past Environments; Pre-Recorded Lecture	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Geological Histories and Past Environments	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Fossils and Tectonics Exercise	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 12	Geology of Australia and the Sydney Area; Pre-Recorded Lectures	Independent study (1.5 hr)
	Geology of Australia and the Sydney Area	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Rock Identification Quiz Preparation	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 13	Review, Revision and Exam Preparation	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
Week 13	Practical Test - Rock Identification Quiz	Practical (1.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures

It is expected that students study the pre-recorded lecture material on their own time and attend the live lectorial oferred in-person and online. Core material in each lecture will be recorded and made available through eLearning. However, a portion of each lecture will involve interactions and/or group work, which may not ‘translate’ that well into the recorded state.

Practical Classes

Practical classes complement the lectures, and are compulsory. During most weeks of the semester there is a weekly, two and a half-hour practical class. If you cannot attend a class for any reason you should contact your tutor/demonstrator.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Recommended text: see Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand how geosciences can provide sustainable solutions to global challenges.
LO2. Develop appreciation of the significance of fossils and the longevity of the geologic record of biotic activity on the Earth.
LO3. Use the rock record to unravel geological history and understand the processes that have formed the Earth and currently modify the Earth’s physical features.
LO4. Understand the relationships between the different rocks systems (e.g., sedimentary, igneous, metamorphic).
LO5. Understand the relationship between plate tectonic processes and the occurrence of natural Earth hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunami.
LO6. Analyse and synthesise geological information to tackle a wide range of Earth Science issues.
LO7. Demonstrate written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In accordance to student feedback and the lecturers' observations, we made the following changes: 1) The number of practical submissions decreased from 10 to 4 and their weight increased from 10 to 16. 2) The weight of the online, self-directed quizzes decreased from 16 to 14. 3) Some of the practical activities have been updated.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GEOS1903: Earth Sci: Past and Future of our Planet (Adv)

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect