Field Geology (GEOL30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Off Campus
Overview
| Availability | July - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Develop and apply basic risk assessment and safe fieldwork strategies as they apply to rural or remote field work.
- Develop field plans and testable hypotheses for investigating geological field problems using existing scientific literature and remote sensing imagery.
- Describe and interpret a range of geological features in rocks (such as sedimentary structures, folds, joints, faults, veins and tectonic fabrics) at the macro- and meso-scale and how these can be used to develop tectonic models
- 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 documentation and interpretation of field geological relationships at different spatial scales
- Construct geological maps and cross-sections from field and remote sensing imagery to express geological structures in map view and in three dimensions
- Identify geohazards using geological mapping and inform decision-making related to environmental, engineering, and resource development industries and Earth sustainability concepts
- 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
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following 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: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL20002 | Investigating Earth's Structure | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| EVSC20008 | Earth's Surface Processes | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOL20003 | Building Earth: Rocks, Minerals, Magmas | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| GEOL30002 | Tectonics and Geophysics | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
Pre-field trip literature review
| Due prior to commencement of trip | 20% |
Iterative geological map and working base maps
| During the field excursion | 20% |
Single day map
| During the field excursion | 10% |
Geological cross-section
| During the field excursion | 10% |
Final geological map and report
| 2 Weeks after the end of teaching | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- July - Off Campus
Coordinator Mark Quigley Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours 9 days of fieldwork (8 hours per day) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 14 July 2025 to 24 July 2025 Last self-enrol date 11 July 2025 Census date 25 July 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 1 August 2025 Assessment period ends 8 August 2025 July 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.
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in field activities.
Students should consult the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences website for field trip dates, associated costs and safety requirements: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips
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.
- Incidental costs
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geoscience 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