Sedimentary Geology and Hydrogeology (GEOL30003)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Earth’s sediments record over 4 billion years of environmental evolution and host our modern societies’ water resources. This subject gives a broad introduction to the sedimentary record of Earth’s history as well as groundwater systems in sedimentary aquifers. Topics covered include facies analysis and petrology of carbonate, terrigenous and chemical sediments; techniques used in stratigraphic analysis; sedimentary geochemistry and its applications; post-depositional processes, including diagenesis and weathering, that alter rocks after their formation; chemical interactions between minerals and groundwater in weathered rocks and weathering products; application of sedimentary geology to understanding sediment-hosted resources; characterisation of surface and groundwater systems; rock properties affecting groundwater flow; water balance; groundwater resource assessment; and groundwater supported ecosystems.
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Explain the history and evolution of the Earth's surface processes and assess the evidence used to develop this history
- Evaluate and interpret stratigraphy and basin analysis, and their applications
- Synthesize evidence to explain the atmospheric evolution of the Earth and its effect on sedimentary systems, climate and the evolution of life
- Describe and interpret modern and ancient sedimentary rocks
- Describe the processes responsible for sedimentary basin development, including subsidence and uplift mechanisms
- Apply skills for measuring and describing stratigraphic sections in the field or in the laboratory
- Describe the principles of groundwater flow
- Identify the factors controlling groundwater budgets and groundwater resources
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Think critically and conceptualise complex and abstract ideas
- Effectively manage time and workload
- Exercise critical judgement
- Undertake rigorous and independent thinking
- Adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks
- Prepare and present written presentations
- Interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVSC20008 | Earth's Surface Processes | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOL20002 | Investigating Earth's Structure | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOL20003 | Building Earth: Rocks, Minerals, Magmas | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ERTH20002 | Environmental Geoscience | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-GEOSC Master of Geoscience
OR
By arrangement with subject coordinators
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Short quiz
| Week 5 | 10% |
Individual practical work report
| Week 3 | 10% |
Practical Examination
| Week 8 | 20% |
Written test
| Week 11 | 15% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 45% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Ashleigh Hood Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x three hour practical class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geoscience Course Master of Environmental Science Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Geology Informal specialisation Geology Informal specialisation Geology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- 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 (Production)
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 4 March 2025