EMSC6014 Surficial Processes, Source to Sink

Offered By	Research School of Earth Sciences
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Earth and Marine Science
Offered in	First Semester, 2011 and First Semester, 2012
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This course will cover: The weathering of rocks, and the development of Regolith. Development of soils. Sediments, cations and anions will be tracked into various depositional environments, from rivers, to deserts, to marginal marine environments to the deep sea. Fundamental concepts for deciphering depositional environments such as sedimentary textures and structures. Treatment of modern Stratigraphic disciplines: Lithostratigraphy, Magnetostratigraphy, Seismic Stratigraphy, Chronostratigraphy and Geologic Time. Laboratory: Practical work will be designed to help students recognise sedimentary structures in hand specimen and microscopic thin section. Students will be taught to recognise depositional environments in the field during a field trip to the NSW South Coast. Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates (EMSC2014) but will be assessed separately. including a requirment to co do a research paper.
Learning Outcomes	1. Observe and compare sedimentary depositional environments from outcrops, drill cores and diagrams. 2. Apply stratigraphic methods to analyse the evolution of past environments . 3. Explain the basic principles, chemical and physical processess at the surface of the Earth. 4. Describe the debates and history of the early thinkers in Geology and explain how that has influenced modern Earth Science. 5. Recognise and examine fundamental weathering processes.
Indicative Assessment	PG Assessment will be based on: Theory Exam (50%, LO 1-5) Laboratory and field work reports (30%, LO 1 - 3 & 5) Research paper (20%, LO 1 - 3 & 5) UG Assessment will be based on: Laboratory and field work reports (50%, LO 1 - 3 & 5) Examination (50%, LO 1-5)
Workload	3 hours of lectures, 2 hours of laboratory per week, total 65 contact hours.
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. and TransitionalTransitional courses are designed for students from a broad range of backgrounds and learning achievements, which provide for the acquisition of generic skills; or an informed understanding of contemporary issues; or fundamental knowledge for transition to Advanced or Specialist courses.
Areas of Interest	Earth and Marine Sciences
Eligibility	Bachelor degree; with either first year Geology or first year Chemistry.
Requisite Statement	Bachelor degree including Earth Science/Geology or Chemistry to a first year level Incompatible with EMSC2014
Recommended Courses	Bachelor degree including Earth Science/Geology or Chemistry to a first year level
Technology Requirements	Online course materials
Programs	Master of Archaeological Science
Academic Contact	Bradley Opdyke and Bradley.Opdyke@anu.edu.au

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.