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Advanced Field Geology (GEOL90053)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
July - Off Campus
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This subject will provide students the opportunity to develop skills in field geology that are highly valued in the environmental, resource development, engineering, and mining industries. Students will learn to identify minerals, rocks, sediments, structures, and geomorphic features in the field and using remote sensing imagery, and to express them through geological maps, cross-sections and reports. Students will learn how to collate and interpret diverse geological observations and to use these data to develop models of geological histories across multiple time-scales. Students will gain a rich understanding of how geological mapping and other field methods can be used to inform decision-making across a wide array of contemporary challenges, including hazard identification, risk reduction, and sustaining future Earth. 

Intended learning outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate advanced risk assessment and safe fieldwork strategies as they apply to rural or remote field work
  • Describe and interpret a range of geological features in rocks (such as stratigraphic relationships, sedimentary structures, folds, joints, faults, veins and tectonic fabrics) at the macro- and meso-scale
  • Formulate geological field plans and testable hypotheses for investigating geological field problems using advanced knowledge of scientific literature and remote sensing imagery
  • Interpret complex 3D geology in the field, such as that which might arise from folding, faulting, fluid flow, intrusions and other processes that influence the relative positions and characteristics of rocks
  • Use advanced skills in detailed geological mapping including measuring stratigraphic sections, documentation and interpretation of field geological relationships at different spatial scales
  • Construct detailed geological maps and cross-sections from field and remote sensing imagery to expressdistinguish geological structures in map view and in three dimensions
  • Employ advanced skills in mineral and rock identification in a field setting
  • Explain the geology and tectonic evolution of a specified region and interpret it in a global context through comparison with contemporary and ancient analogues

Generic skills

  • Creative thinking in developing solutions to diverse geological problems
  • Developing feasible operative plans and testable hypotheses in complex field and geological settings 
  • Working and communicating within a team environment
  • Enhancing written and oral communication skills
  • Thinking critically and conceptualising complex and abstract ideas
  • Developing skills relevant to preparing technical written reports and maps
  • Developing time management skills needed to meet assessment deadlines

Last updated: 19 November 2025