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Geobiology: Fossils & Environments (GEOL30007)
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
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 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Geobiology involves the study of interactions between Earth’s geosphere and biosphere, and how these interactions impact or reflect environmental conditions. This subject includes the fields of geobiology, biomineralization, fossilization and palaeontology. This subject will survey the fundamental principles used in geobiology and palaeobiology, explain how biological processes influenced palaeoenvironmental conditions and controlled the evolution and preservation of geologically ancient lifeforms as fossils. This subject will demonstrate how fundamental knowledge of macroscopic fossils (dinosaurs and mammalian megafauna) and microscopic fossils (using their biogeochemistry, mineral and organic biomarkers) can be used to interpret past environments, faunal evolution, paleoclimates and paleoceanography, while also informing a wide range of problems in the energy, minerals and environmental industry sectors.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be to:
- Explain the history of life on Earth and the evidence used to infer this history;
- Identify, explain and interpret fossil distributions, and their applications;
- Explain the evolution of life on the Earth and its effect on environments, climate and oceans;
- Describe and interpret modern and ancient microfossils and macrofossils;
- Describe the controls on extinction on Earth and how these relate to the global environment;
- Apply skills for identifying and describing fossils in the field or in the laboratory;
- Document in writing an advanced synthesis of the use of at least one group of fossils.
Generic skills
The generic skills acquired in this subject include:
- learning how to approach scientific problems when there may be no clear and simple answer;
- tackling complex exercises within a team environment in the field and laboratory; and
- conducting experiments and observations in the laboratory environment.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ERTH10002 | Understanding Planet Earth | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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 |
---|---|---|
Practical component including: four short reading quizzes, approximately 250 words each due weeks 2, 4, 7 and 9(20%) and; two lab reports totalling approximately 1000 words due weeks 5 and 11 (40%) | From Week 2 to Week 11 | 60% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Additional details
Topics selected from assigned readings will be assessed in the reading quizzes and final examination.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Stephen Gallagher Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A total of 20 hours of lectures; 10 x three hour practicals; 2 x one day field trips Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
To be advised.
- 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.
Please note that there is a $100 course fee for this subject (lab materials and field trip costs)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science Course Master of Geoscience Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Geology Informal specialisation Geology Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Geology Major Geology - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024