Outline

Overview

The Earth's environments are continuously disrupted by astronomical, geological, and anthropogenic processes acting at various temporal and spatial scales. Understanding the rise, decline and resilience of past life-forms and environments is key to assessing the future sustainability of our environment and the ecosystems it supports (cf. UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15). In this unit of study, you will develop a deeper understanding of Earth as a life-support system and will learn how the Earth's rich and changing biodiversity through time is used, in conjunction with other methods, to timestamp the 4.5-billion-year history of our planet. You will discover how the Earth's sediments are record-keepers of environmental and biological change and how tectonic processes and the landscapes they create can shape Earth's climate, and enhance the resilience of species to climate change. You will learn the techniques to document and interpret past environments and past geological settings by integrating and interpreting multi-dimensional datasets including fossils, stratigraphy, and structural data. During a week-long field geological excursion (near Yass), you will be exposed to an ancient reef system disrupted by geological processes associated with a long-lived subduction zone, which will sharpen your observation skills and 3D geological thinking.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	24 credit points of 1000-level units of study, including (GEOS1003 or GEOS1903) and (GEOS2114 or GEOS2914)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOL2123 or GEOL2124 or GEOS2924
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Adriana Dutkiewicz, adriana.dutkiewicz@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Patrice Rey, patrice.rey@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Adriana Dutkiewicz, adriana.dutkiewicz@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 ?	Written Exam for Module 2 & 3 Written Exam for Module 2 & 3	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task Online quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	3%	Week 02	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical assignment #1 (Weeks 1-2, Module 1) Assignment	8%	Week 03	4 hrs in class + about 2 hrs of homework	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person written or creative task	Summative Exam Module 1 In-class Written Summative Exam - Module 1	10%	Week 04	50 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical assignment #2 (Week 3-4, Module 1) Assignment	8%	Week 05	4 hrs in class + about 2 hrs of homework	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical assignment #3 (Weeks 5-6, Module 2) Assignment	8%	Week 07	4 hrs in class + about 2 hrs of homework	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Field excursion Fieldwork skills assessment	18%	Week 10	Five days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical #4 (Weeks 7-8, Module 2) Assignment	8%	Week 11	4 hrs in class + about 2 hrs of homework	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Practical assignment #5 (Weeks 10-11, Module 3) Assignment	7%	Week 12	4 hrs in class + about 2 hrs of homework	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

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

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
Mid-semester break	Geological Mapping (Mid-semester break)	Field trip (40 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to fossils	Lecture (1 hr)
	Evolution of complex life	Lecture (1 hr)
	Fossils - Taphonomy and Taxonomy	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 02	Ancient reef world	Lecture (1 hr)
	Shelly fossils	Lecture (1 hr)
	Fossils - Yass fossils	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 03	Stratigraphy	Lecture (1 hr)
	Lithostratigraphy	Lecture (1 hr)
	Relative and absolute dating of rocks	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 04	Geochronology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Magnetostratigraphy	Lecture (1 hr)
	Small exam + Relative and absolute dating of rocks cont.	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 05	Fractures and faults	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Stereonet for 3D geometrical analysis	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 06	Forces, tractions and stresses	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Paleostress analysis	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 07	Folds and fold systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	The magic of structural contours ...	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 08	Preparation for Yass and alternative	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Back then when all began ...	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Paper discussion	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 11	Earth's early environmental conditions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Paper discussion	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 12	The primitive Earth's geodynamics and early life	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Paper discussion	Science laboratory (2 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance to lectures and practicals is compulsory unless there is a clash with other UoS, or unless special consideration has been granted. Students must come to the lecture and practical prepared by reading the lecture notes and completing any pre-lecture/pre-practical activities.

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.

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 and apply concepts of stratigraphy and geochronology to geological sequences.
LO2. Recognise major fossil groups, their evolution and significance for understanding the rise and decline of past life-forms, ecosystems and environments.
LO3. Understand mountain building processes and document geological environments through 3D mapping techniques integrating paleontological, stratigraphy and structural data, to understand past geological events and their environmental consequences.
LO4. Recognize and explain how the Earth is in a constant state of change through the action of coupled environmental, biological and geological processes.
LO5. In the field or in the lab, source and analyse information, assess its reliability and significance, become adept at extracting patterns from noisy datasets.
LO6. Communicate scientific information appropriately, both orally and through written work.
LO7. Engage in teamwork for scientific investigations and for the process of learning.
LO8. Develop a sense of responsibility, ethical behaviour and independence as a learner and as a scientist.

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.

An Early Feedback Task has been added which will allow for revision and testing of knowledge early on in the course. The course has also had a 2-hr review and exam preparation session added that will better prepare students for their final summative exam during the formal exam period.

Additional information

Additional costs

Information on the field trip, including costs and logistical details will be available on the Canvas site in the first two weeks of semester.

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

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GEOS2124: Earth's History and the Biosphere

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links