EMSC8011 Earth Materials: Crystal Structures, Defect Microstructures and Mechanical Behaviour

Offered By	Research School of Earth Sciences
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Earth and Marine Science
Offered in	Autumn Session, 2011
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This course will give an introduction to the physical behaviour of minerals and rocks at pressure and temperatures encountered in the Earth’s interior. Topics include: The stability of major rock-forming minerals and the connection between their crystal structure and their physical properties will be explored. Microscopic defects and grain boundary regions will be discussed because they control the mechanical behaviour of the planet as observed on all scales. A further focus will be the concepts of stress and strain and their relationships to elasticity, strength and rheology of earth materials. During the course different techniques will be presented in theory and practice to show how geological materials and their behaviour can be characterized and tested in the laboratory.
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 SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation.
Areas of Interest	Earth and Marine Sciences
Eligibility	Bachelor degree; with first year Maths.
Requisite Statement	Maths to a first year level.
Academic Contact	Prof Ian Jackson

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.