GEOS 3101/3801: Earth's Structure and Evolution

GEOS 3101 Earth's Structure and Evolution (6cp)
GEOS 3801 Earth's Structure and Evolution (Advanced) (6cp)
Dr Patrice Rey and Prof Geoff Clarke

Session: February
Prerequisites: GEOS 2114/2914 and GEOS 2124/2924; or 24 credit points of Intermediate Science Units of Study and GEOS 1003 with permission of the Head of School
Prohibitions: GEOS 3801, GEOS 3003/3903, GEOS 3004/3904, GEOS 3006/3906, GEOS 3017/3917
Classes: Two 1 hour lectures and one 3 hour tutorial/practical class per week.
Assessment: one 2 hour exam, practical and field reports

The Earth’s crust and upper mantle, or lithosphere, are a consequence of dynamic and thermal processes operating since the beginning of the Archaean. This Unit focuses on information and techniques that enable an understanding of these processes. The main topics presented in this Unit include: the formation and evolution of oceanic and continental lithosphere; structural deformation, magmatism and metamorphism at plate boundaries; and the mesoscopic and microscopic analysis of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Practical classes are designed to enable students to be competently and independently identify the common crystalline rocks in hand-specimen; and to gather and interpret the structural field data which enables the determination of the structural style and deformational history presented in particular tectonic settings. The concepts and content presented in this Unit are generally considered to be essential knowledge for geologists and geophysicists and provide a conceptual framework for their professional practice. Students wishing to specialize in the field and become professional geologists will normally need to expand upon the knowledge gained from this Unit and either complete an honours project or progress to postgraduate coursework in this field.

Course Outline (pdf)