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Geochronology and Thermochronology (GEOL90028)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
May - Dual-Delivery
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The course covers the basic principles of Ar-Ar, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, U-Pb (conventional Pb-Pb, U-Pb, SHRIMP, LA-ICPMS, CHIME), Lu-Hf and Re-Os, as well as fission track and (U-Th)/He thermochronology. The application of these geochronology/thermochronology and isotopic tracing methods to a variety of geological problems will be presented. Afternoon sessions will be devoted to pracs (calculating ages, meaning of errors, plotting data e.g. isochrons, U-Pb plots, histograms using the computer package ISOPLOT and modelling thermal histories).

Intended learning outcomes

Completion of this subject will:

  • Equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise appropriate for post-graduate research in the field;
  • Equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise enabling them to take their place as professional geologists in industry or government organisations; and
  • Provide students with the confidence and competence to employ geochemical and/or geochronological data to determine the relationships between magmatism, metamorphism, deformation and sedimentation.

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Exercise critical judgement;
  • Undertake rigorous and independent thinking;
  • Adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks;
  • Develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills;
  • Interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature; and
  • Work as part of a team.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites


Corequisites


Non-allowed subjects


Recommended background knowledge

A knowledge of third-year geology is strongly recommended, along with a working knowledge of Excel.

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: 24 January 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two practical exercises (3 hours each)

  • 6 hours
1 Weeks after the end of teaching40%

Exam, taken on the last day of the teaching period

  • 3 hours (of work required)
End of the teaching period60%

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Dates & times

  • May
    CoordinatorSamuel Boone
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hoursTotal of 40 contact hours over 5 days: x4hrs lectures & x4hrs practicals per day
    Total time commitment75 hours
    Teaching period16 May 2022 to 20 May 2022
    Last self-enrol date17 May 2022
    Census date17 May 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail19 May 2022
    Assessment period ends20 May 2022

    May contact information

    samuel.boone@unimelb.edu.au

Additional delivery details

This subject is taught through the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences: https://vieps.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Geoscience
    CourseMaster of Science (Earth Sciences)
    Informal specialisationEarth Sciences
  • 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: 24 January 2023