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  3. Geochronology and Thermochronology

Geochronology and Thermochronology (GEOL90028)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
May - On Campus
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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 students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate discipline-specific expertise and skills appropriate at early-career professional level.
  • Develop concepts on the geological evolution of a given region based on chronological data.
  • Demonstrate competency in the use of 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: 6 February 2026