Course outline
Code: ENS103
Title: Earth’s Surface Processes
Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Teaching Session: Semester 1
Year: 2017
Course Coordinator: Peter Davies Email: [email protected]
Course Moderator: Neil Tindale
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
Studies related to planet Earth impact most aspects of modern life. They are fundamental not only to the
field of Earth Science but also to environmental science, ecology, environmental management and natural
resource management. In this course you are introduced to the various environmental systems at the
Earth's surface, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. This course emphasises
problem solving by helping you develop scientific reasoning skills and apply them to the investigation of
natural surficial environments.
1.2








Course content
The Earth System and Geological time
Principles of stratigraphy
Geological processes at Earth’s surface
Plate tectonics: fundamental concepts, focussing on plate margins
Rocks and rock-forming minerals
Geological evolution of the Sunshine Coast region
Physical, geochemical and biological characteristics of sediments
Soils: their formation, sampling and laboratory analysis
2.
Unit value
12 units
Version: Semester 1 2017
Recfind File Number: F15587
Page 2
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
On successful completion of this course
you should be able to:
You will be assessed on the
learning outcome in task/s:
1. Demonstrate and apply theoretical and
practical knowledge of geological
processes and principles to regional and
global contexts
1. Activities workbook
3. Catchment soil report
2. Use practical techniques and templates
to collect and organise geological
information e.g. observation, sampling,
laboratory testing, recording
1. Activities workbook
2. Point Arkwright field report
3. Catchment soil report
Knowledgeable
3. Solve problems in Earth Science by:
 Analysing and interpreting geological
information
 Integrating findings to identify rocks
and soils, and constructing geological
histories supported by evidence, e.g.
diagrams, maps, calculations,
observations
4. Communicate in scientific writing
(workbook, reports)
1. Activities workbook
2. Point Arkwright field report
3. Catchment soil report
Critical and creative thinkers
Empowered
1. Activities workbook
2. Point Arkwright field report
3. Catchment soil report
Empowered
4.
Completing these tasks
successfully will contribute
to you becoming:
Knowledgeable
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Nil
4.2
Pre-requisites
Nil
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
Nil
4.5
Nil
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional)
Page 3
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
5.2
Assessment tasks
Task
No.
ENS103
Assessment Tasks
Individual
or Group
1
Activities
workbook
Individual
Weighting
%
30%
2
Point Arkwright
field report
Catchment soil
report
Individual
Group
3
What is the
duration / length?
When should I
submit?
Where should
I submit it?
End week of each
activity; commences
Week 1
End Week 8
In Class
30%
50 - 100 words per
activity: total 500
words
2000 words
40%
2500 words
End Week 13
SafeAssign
SafeAssign
100%
Assessment Task 1: Practical and tutorial activities workbook
Goal:
Product:
Format:
To apply knowledge of geological processes and principles in practical ways and develop laboratory
and problem solving skills.
Activities workbook
The workbook records activities done during tutorials and practical sessions and is 30% of your
assessment.
(a) Laboratory Sessions wks 1,2,5,6,7 (20%)
1. Your tutor will set you problem-solving activities related to the material covered in the lectures
and supported by the relevant chapters of the text book (total of 5 geological scenarios). Solving
these problems provides you with practice for those you do in the final examination.
2. You discuss the problems during tutorials and write your final 50 -100- word solution on one or
two pages in your workbook.
3. Each solution requires evidence to support it, e.g. diagrams, maps, calculations.
(b) Laboratory Sessions 3 and 4 (10%)
1. In each of the Weeks 3-4, you will participate in practical sessions in which you systematically
observe, describe and record information about rocks in the workbook templates. You also learn
how to accurately identify and classify rocks, and analyse data about them.
2. In the rock practicals, you describe and classify 10 common rock types from the Sunshine Coast
and hinterland regions. You use a tabular format and approximately 50 words per rock sample. This
includes (where possible) recording the minerals that constitute them.
Criteria
Written feedback will be provided on the information you record in your workbook.
1. demonstrate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge of geological processes and
principles to regional and global contexts
2. use practical techniques and templates to collect and organise geological information, e.g.
observing, sampling, laboratory testing, describing, recording, classifying
3. solve problems in Earth Science by:
 analysing and interpreting geological information
Page 4
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
 integrating your findings to identify rocks and soils, and constructing geological histories
supported by evidence, e.g. diagrams, maps, calculations, observations
4.communicate in scientific writing in the form of a workbook (terminology, units, labeling of
diagrams, English expression
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Organisation
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
Assessment Task 2: Point Arkwright field report
Goal:
To apply practical and problem solving skills to construct a geological history of a local field area and
present this in the form of a report.
Product: Field report
Format:
1. You are required to write a report of approximately 2000 words on the geological features, rock
types, and geological evolution of the rock platform exposed northwards for about 500 metres
from Point Arkwright.
2. Details of the format for the report will be provided in class. It comprises two parts:
 Part A : a record of your systematic observations
 Part B: your interpretation of the geological history in a step-by-step manner commencing
with the oldest geological processes that occurred, progressing through to the processes that
are occurring now.
3. Note that because this study provides an introduction to several different aspects of geology,
considerable guidance and explanation are provided about the geological features that can be
observed i.e. the rock types; the manner in which they have formed; the original sedimentary
depositional environment; igneous activity and deformation that occurred after the sediments
hardened; current weathering and erosional processes.
Substantial web-based information is provided via the course Blackboard site (comprising maps, field
locations, photographs, diagrams, descriptions, and explanations) so that you can revisit the field
study virtually.
Criteria
1. use practical techniques and templates to collect and organise geological information, e.g.
observation, recording, sketching
2. solve problems in Earth Science by:
 analysing and interpreting critical geological information (structures, field relationships, relative
timing of events)
 integrating your findings to interpret the ancient environments and construct a geological
history for the visited site supported by evidence, e.g. key findings, diagrams, maps, calculations
3.communicate in scientific writing in the form of a report (Part A and B structure, English
expression, terminology, presentation)
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Communication
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
Page 5
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
Assessment Task 3: Final soil report
Goal:
Product:
Format:
To work in groups to produce a soil report that integrates information collected about soil and
sediment samples taken from the length and breadth of the Mooloolah River catchment
Final Soil Report
1. You work in a group of four to write a scientific report that uses class data from the
analysis of soil samples taken from the Mooloolah River catchment.
2. The samples have been analysed and described during the practical sessions, using different
analytical techniques. You are provided with the class results for each sample. You are to
integrate all the results to create a class dataset (e.g. in a spreadsheet or in tables).
3. The report is to be in the standard format of Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
(i) Introduction
(ii) Methods- describe the analytical techniques that you have applied to the samples.
(iii) Results- present the integrated results from the practical sessions and generate a cohesive
model of the surficial stratigraphy of the Mooloolah River catchment.
(iv) Discussion- focus on the lithological, geochemical and biological characteristics of the
soil / sediment samples and variations in these factors
You are awarded a group grade with a peer assessment component that judges your collaboration
in the group using an algorithm (see BlackBoard)
Criteria
1. demonstrate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge of soil geological processes and
principles to a local context
2. use practical techniques and templates to organise geological information into a dataset
3. solve problems in Earth Science by:
 analyzing and interpreting the class dataset
 integrating these data to construct a stratigraphic soil map supported by evidence, e.g.
diagrams, maps, calculations, observations
4.communicate in scientific writing in the form of a group report (report structure, English
expression, terminology, presentation of soil map – labels, stratigraphic map conventions, font
size)
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Collaboration
Introductory
Problem solving
Introductory
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
Blackboard
As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You
are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements,
course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through
Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus on oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks.
Safe Assign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Page 6
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a)
The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b)
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c)
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
1 x 2 hour lecture per week; 1 x 2 hour lab per week
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 1 each year
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
What key concepts/content
will I learn?
Earth Systems, introduction to
geology
Geological time
2
Fundamental components of
plate tectonics
Divergent, convergent, and
transform plate margins;
hotspots
3
The rock cycle
Principles of stratigraphy
4
Mineralogy and structural
Composition of Earth’s surface
5
Earth’s surface and upper
crustal environments and
processes: Volcanoes and
Folding
What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study Activities
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Tutorial: problem-solving
activity
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Tutorial: problem-solving
activity
Textbook: Marshak, S. Earth:
Portrait of a Planet 5th Ed
Text chapter: Journey to the
centre of the Earth
Text chapter: Plate Tectonics
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Tutorial: Problem-solving
activity
Text chapter: The rock cycle
Text chapters: Patterns in
nature: minerals
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Tutorial: Problem-solving
activity
Text chapters: Volcanic
eruptions,
Page 7
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
Teaching
Week /
Module
6
What key concepts/content
will I learn?
Earth’s surface environments:
The Atmosphere and the
Hydrologic Cycle
What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study Activities
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Practical (rocks and minerals)
Point Arkwright field study:
interpreting ancient
environments from
information recorded in
outcrops on the rock
platform
Lectures related to textbook
readings
Practical (rocks and minerals)
Text chapters: Ever changing
landscapes and the
hydrologic cycle
7
Earth Surface Processes: The
cryosphere, Ice Ages, Sea
Level and Climate Change
8
Geological features of the
Sunshine Coast region and
hinterland; geological
evolution of the region
(including the Quaternary
evolution of the Sunshine
Coast coastal plain
Lectures related to readings
Practical (soil samples)
Willlmott W 2007. Rocks and
Landscapes of the Sunshine
Coast
2nd Edition.
9
Palaeoenvironmental
reconstruction of Quaternary
environments: morphological,
geochemical, and biological
evidence
Lectures related to readings
Practical (soil samples)
10
Weathering; introduction to
soils
Soils in the environment
Soil profile processes
Soil classification
Lectures related to readings
Practical (soil samples)
Lowe JJ and Walker MJC
1994.
Reconstructing Quaternary
Environments. Longman.
Prothero D 1990. Interpreting
the Stratigraphic Record.
Freeman.
Textbook: Marshak, S.
Text chapters: Sediments and
soils
11
Soil forming and development
processes as dynamic systems
(pedogenesis)
Lectures related to readings
Practical (soil samples)
12
Lectures related to readings
Soil biological processes and
the carbon and nitrogen cycles Practical (soil samples)
13
Environmental and
anthropogenic impacts on soil
processes
Acid sulphate soils
Lectures related to readings
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
Text chapters: Glaciers and
ice ages, Global change in the
Earth system.
Charman PEV and Murphy
BW (Editors) 2007. Soils:
Their properties and
management, 3rd edition,
Oxford University Press.
Gerrard J 2000. Fundamentals
of Soils, Routledge.
(As for Week 11)
(As for Week 11)
Page 8
Course Outline: ENS103 Earth’s Surface Processes, Materials and Soils
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below:
Author
Marshak, S.
7.2
Year
2015
Title
Earth: Portrait of a Planet 5th Ed.
Publisher
W.W. Norton and Co.
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
Nil
7.4
Risk management
Health and safety risks associated with this course are those related to working in science laboratories and
in the field. Before commencing any learning activities in the laboratory or in the field, you will be required
to successfully complete (a) a laboratory induction program, and (b) a field induction program.
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance to all
students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To
book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student [email protected]
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
General enquiries
In person:
 Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C
 USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1)
 USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
 USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: [email protected]