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Tectonics & Geodynamics (GEOL30002)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Email: mclarens@unimelb.edu.au
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 (Early-Start) |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject covers geological processes involved in large-scale tectonics and introduces advanced topics in structural and metamorphic geology. The subject will begin with a one-week pre-semester field trip to East Gippsland, where students will develop their geological mapping and structural analysis skills. Lecture topics include the structure and composition of the Earth; plates defined in terms of the thermal and rheological structure of the outer part of the Earth; isostasy; stress and strain in the crust and lithosphere; structural and metamorphic processes in orogenic belts, their origin and their relationship to continental amalgamation and fragmentation; intraplate deformation; deformation mechanisms; shear zone processes; the analysis of poly-deformed terranes and high grade metamorphic processes including partial melting and melt loss.
The field trip will take place in the weeks immediately prior to the normal commencement of classes for Semester 1. The estimated cost of the field trip is $380 and payment options can be found at http://ecommerce.science.unimelb.edu.au/product.asp?pID=73&cID=19&c=241822. Price may vary slightly at time of field trip.
Intended learning outcomes
- Understand health and safety principles and develop basic risk assessment strategies for field work
- Document and interpret complex 3D geology in the field, such as that which might arise from orogenesis, poly-deformation and/or high-grade metamorphism
- Construct cross-sections through regions of complex structural and metamorphic history
- Explain at least one model for the origin of the gross structure of planet Earth
- Explain the role of the stress field in controlling the motion of the lithospheric plates
- Describe the controls on the way in which temperature varies within the Earth and how these variations relate to deformation, metamorphism and magmatism
- Explain the geodynamic controls on basin formation and relate these to sedimentation, basin inversion and basin preservation
- Evaluate extreme metamorphic events (such as ultra high pressure and ultra high temperature conditions) within the plate tectonic framework
- Explain the dynamic linkages between deformation and metamorphism during orogenesis
- Document in writing and present to your peers an advanced synthesis of the geodynamics of at least one region of Earth
Generic skills
Undertake rigorous and independent thinking
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
GEOL20002 | Structural and Metamorphic Geology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Subjects selected from:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
GEOL20003 | Earth Composition, Minerals and Magmas | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOL20004 | Field Mapping and Sedimentary Geology | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
ERTH20001 | Dangerous Earth | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOL20001 | Geology of Southeast Australia | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A written field report and a geological map (15% for map and 15% for report)
| two weeks after the field exercise | 30% |
One practical exercise
| Two weeks following the respective practical class | 10% |
A survey of a geodynamics literature topic due in week 10 of the semester
| Week 10 | 30% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 30% |
Hurdle requirement: students must make an oral presentation of their geodynamics literature survey topic in a lecture period during week 10 or 11 of the semester, feedback is provided but marks are not allocated. | N/A |
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Principal coordinator Sandra Mclaren Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x two hour lecture per week; 1 x two hour of practical class per week for six weeks; and five days of fieldwork Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 16 February 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 28 February 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
Email: mclarens@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
1 week pre-semester field excursion will be held within the teaching period shown.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Previously known as 625-301 Strutural Geology and Geodynamics (prior to 2010)
Special Requirements: Geological hammer, hand lens and magnet. Students should consult the Earth Sciences web-site for dates, charges for excursions, accommodation and food and other information including safety requirements.
Costs: Costs will be levied for fieldwork components. Details will be available on the school webpage prior to commencement of the semester
- Incidental costs
Field trip costs including: travel, accommodation and food of approximatley $380. Please note that the price listed is indicative and students will be advised of the exact price closer to the field trip date.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geoscience Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Geology Informal specialisation Geology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Geology Major Geology Breadth Track Earth's Structure - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 27 April 2024