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

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS1003 or GEOL1002 or GEOL1902
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)	Puqing Li, puqing.li@sydney.edu.au
	Eric Wang, eric.wang1@sydney.edu.au
	Rafael Pinto Cherene Viana, rafael.cherene@sydney.edu.au
	ELNAZ HEIDARI, elnaz.heidari@sydney.edu.au
	Addison Tu, addison.tu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Dietmar Muller, dietmar.muller@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Maria Seton, maria.seton@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Short Answer Questions, Geological Problem, Geological Map; By-Hand	35%	Formal exam period	3 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Practical Exercises Active intellectual participation	0%	Ongoing	11 practicals of 150 minutes each	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 1 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 01 Due date: 06 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 Aug 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 2 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 02 Due date: 13 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Aug 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Summative Quiz 1 MCQs Early Feedback Quiz Weeks 1-3 lecture and practical material Canvas-based MCQ #EarlyFeedbacktask	3.5%	Week 03 Due date: 24 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Aug 2025	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 3 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 03 Due date: 20 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Aug 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 4 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 04 Due date: 27 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 27 Aug 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical Assignment 1 Completion of hands-on exercises during practical session	4%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 Aug 2025	2.5 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 5 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Sep 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 6 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 10 Sep 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Practical Assignment 2 Completion of hands-on exercises during practical session	4%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Sep 2025	2.5 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Summative Quiz 2 Weeks 4-6 lecture and practical material	3.5%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Sep 2025	30 minutes - 10 MCQs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 7 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 17 Sep 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 8 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Sep 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Practical Assignment 3 Completion of hands-on exercises during practical session	4%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Sep 2025	2.5 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 9 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 09 Due date: 08 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Oct 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Summative Quiz 3 Weeks 7-9 lecture and practical material	3.5%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Oct 2025	30 minutes - 10 MCQs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Pre-Practical Quiz 10 Short multiple-choice quiz	0.5%	Week 10 Due date: 15 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Oct 2025	Unlimited time and attempts	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Practical Assignment 4 Completion of hands-on exercises during practical session	4%	Week 11 Due date: 20 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 20 Oct 2025	2.5 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Fieldtrip Assignment Make detailed observations and answer guided questions during the Illawarra Coast field trip	10%	Week 12 Due date: 02 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 Nov 2025	8 hours	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical test ?	Rock Identification Test Identification and description of a set of unknown geological samples; By Hand	20%	Week 13	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Summative Quiz 4 Weeks 10-12 lecture and practical material	3.5%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Nov 2025	30 minutes - 10 MCQs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Lecture Attendance Attendance at class	0%	Weekly	Weekly lectures over 12 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Pre-practical quizzes – 5% (Weekly): Completion of online multiple-choice quizzes is required before attending practical classes. Each quiz will be based on the week’s 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 of 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 is monitored through the SRES system and by the completion of the weekly worksheets. Attendance is compulsory. 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, 7, 10): The four assignments will consist of activities and questions that need to be completed during thecorresponding practical classes. Each of the four assignments will contribute 4% to your final mark (4 x 4% = 16% of the total marks of the unit).
Summative Quizzes – 14% (Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12): The four compulsory 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. Each of the four quizzes will contribute 3.5% to your final mark (4 x 3.5% = 14% of the total mark of the unit). Note that they may include questions that test your rock identification skills and/or your geological map skills.
Field trip – 10% (Week 11): 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 the Sydney Basin. This assessment will contribute 10% to your final mark.
Rock ID test – 20% (Week 13): During the practical classes of week 13 all students are required to take a Rock ID test. 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.
Online evaluation 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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

In accordance with University policy, the following penalties apply to written work submitted after 11:59 PM on the due date: A deduction of 5% of the maximum possible mark will be applied for each calendar day the work is late. After 10 calendar days, a mark of zero will be awarded. This unit includes specific exceptions or supplementary rules, as outlined by the Unit Coordinator. No late submissions are permitted for the following assessments: Pre-Practical Quizzes, Summative Quizzes, Rock Identification Test, Final Examination. Late submissions for these tasks will automatically receive a mark of zero. For the Practical Assignments and Field Trip Assignment, the following applies: Written work submitted electronically after 11:59 PM on the due date is considered late. A penalty of 5% of the maximum possible mark per calendar day will be applied, up to a maximum of 10 days. The penalty is applied after the work is marked (i.e., the work is marked as usual, then the appropriate percentage is deducted). Work submitted more than 10 days late will receive a mark of zero. The marker may, but is not required to, provide feedback on work submitted more than 10 days late.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Importance of Earth Sciences & Mineral Evolution; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Importance of Earth Sciences & Mineral Evolution	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Common Minerals	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 02	Plate Tectonics - The Rock Cycle; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 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; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Igneous Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Igneous Rocks: Naming and Classification	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 04	Sedimentary Rocks and Processes; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Sedimentary Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Clastic Sedimentary Rocks	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 05	Life Through the Ages; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Life through the Ages	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Carbonate Sedimentary Rocks	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 06	Metamorphic Rocks and Processes; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Metamorphic Rocks and Processes	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Metamorphic Rocks - Reactions and Textures	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 07	Geological Structures; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Geological Structures	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Metamorphic Rocks - Naming and Classification	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 08	Geological Maps; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Geological Maps	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Rocks on Geological Maps and Cross Sections	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 09	Plate Tectonics and Natural Hazards; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Plate Tectonics and Natural Hazards	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Rocks and Structures on Geological Maps and Cross Sections	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 10	Geological Histories and Past Environments; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 hr)
	Geological Histories and Past Environments	Lecture and tutorial (1.5 hr)
	Fossils and Plate Tectonics	Practical (2.5 hr)
Week 11	Geology of the Sydney Basin	Field trip (8 hr)
Week 11	Geology of the Sydney Basin	Independent study (8 hr)
Week 12	Geology of Australia and the Sydney Area; Online Learning Material	Independent study (2 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

Online Learning Material

It is strongly recommended that students study the online and pre-recorded learning material on their own time (approximately 1-2 hours per week). Core material for each week will be recorded and made available through Canvas.

Lectorials

It is strongly recommended that students attend the weekly lectorials. The aim of the lectorias is to: (1) reinforce and consolidate knowledge acquired by the study of the online learning material, and (2) discuss student questions for the weekly online learning material.

Practicals

Students have to study the practical manual and complete the pre-practical quiz every week (approximately 1 hour per week in addition to the time allocated for the study of the online learning material). Practical classes complement the lectures, and attendance is compulsory. During most weeks of the semester there is a practical class of two and a half-hours duration. If you cannot attend a practical 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

Readings for this unit are online, publicly available resources that can be accessed via links provided on 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.

Considering the student feedback and the lecturers' observations from 2023, we made the following changes: 1) Clearly separate required from recommended unit content.

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
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

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

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

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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