Junior Units of Study
February Semester
GEOS 1001 Earth, Environment and Society
GEOS 1901 Earth, Environment and Society (Advanced)
July Semester
GEOS 1002 Introduction to Geography
GEOS 1902 Introduction to Geography (Advanced)
GEOS 1003 Introduction to Geology
GEOS 1903 Introduction to Geology (Advanced)
GEOL 1501 Engineering Geology
Students are encouraged to commence their studies of Geography, Geology & Geophysics, Environmental Studies or Marine Science by enrolling in GEOS 1001 (Earth, Environment and Society). This Unit of Study provides an overarching introduction to issues and themes taught across the School of Geosciences. In the second (July) semester, Geography students should enroll in GEOS 1002 (Introduction to Geography); Geology & Geophysics students need to enroll in GEOS 1003 (Introduction to Geology). Entry into any of these units of study does not require any prior knowledge.
Students please note: The prerequisite Unit of Study for entry into the Intermediate core Geology Unit of Study, GEOS 2114 Volcanoes, Hot Rocks and Minerals is GEOS 1003. It is recommended however, that students take both GEOS 1001 and GEOS 1003 if they wish to enrol in Intermediate Geology Units of Study.
Advanced Units of Study
Advanced units have the same objectives as the standard unit and are suitable for students who wish to pursue aspects of the subject in greater depth. Entry is restricted and selection is made from the applicants on the basis of their performance to date. Students that elect to take these units will participate in alternatives to some aspects of the standard unit and will be required to pursue independent work to meet unit objectives. These units may be taken as part of the BSc (Advanced).
February Semester
GEOS1001 Earth, Environment & Society
GEOS1901 Earth, Environment & Society (Advanced)
A/Prof Bill Pritchard, Edwina Tanner, Dr Jody Webster
Session: February
Classes: 2 lec, 2 prac per week
Prerequisites: none
Prohibitions: GEOS 1901, GEOG 1001, GEOG 1002, GEOL 1001, GEOL 1002, GEOL 1902
Assessment: One 2hr exam, 2000w essay, field and prac reports. Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as for GEOS 1001, but will be required to carry out more challenging practical assignments.
This Unit of Study examines interactions between the physical Earth and the activities of its growing population of human inhabitants. Several themes will be explored to provide students with an overview of the way that the earth’s physical systems have come into being and how they function. Firstly, past geological events will be used illustrate how habitats and ecosystems respond to environmental crises. Secondly, models of environmental and climate change will be examined. Thirdly, the requirements of growing human populations and their ecological footprints will be investigated. These three themes will then be integrated to enable students to think critically about the key issues facing the future of the planet, and provide a foundation for future studies in geography and geology.
Course Outline (pdf)
July Semester
GEOS1002 Introduction to Geography
GEOS1902 Introduction to Geography (Advanced)
Dr Kurt Iveson, Deanne Hickey
Session: July
Classes: 2 lec, 2 hour prac per week
Prerequisites: none
Prohibitions: GEOS1902, GEOG1001, GEOG1002
Assessment: One 2 hr exam, one 2000 word essay, 5 practical reports. Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as for GEOS1002, but will be required to carry out more challenging practical assignments.
This Unit of Study provides an introductory geographical analysis of the ways in which places and landscapes are produced. The Unit focuses on both the physical and human processes that generate spatial variation and difference, as well as tracing the interactions between these processes. The Unit will begin with an investigation of Earth’s surface features, exploring the distribution of landforms across Earth and interpreting their evolutionary histories. Several landscapes will be examined including those formed by rivers, wind, oceans and glaciers. But physical landscapes evolve under the influence of and affect human operations. Therefore, the Unit of Study will also consider the political, economic, cultural and urban geographies which shape contemporary global society. Each of these themes will be discussed with reference to key examples, in order to consider the ways in which the various processes (both physical and human) interact in the shaping of places. The Unit of Study will also include short field trips to localities surrounding the university to observe processes of spatial change and conflict. The Unit of Study is designed to attract and interest students who wish to pursue geography as a major within their undergraduate degree, but also has relevance to students who wish to consider the way geographers understand the contemporary world.
GEOS1003 Introduction to Geology
GEOS1903 Introduction to Geology (Advanced)
Dr Tom Hubble, Prof Geoff Clarke
Session: July
Classes: 2 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 3 hour prac/week
Prerequisites:
Prohibitions: GEOL1002, GEOL1902
Assessment: 2hr exam, prac reports, field report.
The aim of this Unit of Study is to examine the chemical and physical processes involved in mineral formation, the interior of the Earth, surface features, sedimentary environments, volcanoes, and metamorphism. Lectures and laboratory sessions on mountain building processes and the formation of mineral deposits will lead to an understanding of the forces controlling the geology of our planet. Processes such as weathering, erosion and nature of sedimentary environments are related to the origin of the Australian landscape. In addition to laboratory classes there is a two-day excursion to the western Blue Mountains and Lithgow to examine geological objects in their setting.
The recommended text is Hamblin & Christiansen (2001) Earth’s Dynamic Systems, 9th Edition, Prentice Hall. This book can be purchased from the Co-op Bookshop.
Course Outline (pdf)
GEOL1501 - Engineering Geology
Dr Tom Hubble
Session: Semester 2
Classes: 39 hrs lec, 26 hrs lab. Field excursions in the Sydney region, as appropriate.
Prohibitions: GEOL 1002
Assumed Knowledge: no previous knowledge of Geology assumed
Prerequisites: Junior core Unit of Study for the degree in Civil Engineering, unless the Units of Study GEOL 1001 and GEOL 1002 have been completed. Intermediate core Unit of Study for the degree in Project Engineering and Management (Civil).
Course objectives: To introduce basic geology to civil engineering students.
Expected outcomes: Students should develop an appreciation of geologic processes as they influence civil engineering works and acquire knowledge of the most important rocks and minerals and be able to identify them.
Syllabus summary: Geological concepts relevant to civil engineering and the building environment. Introduction to minerals; igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, their occurrence, formation and significance. General introduction to physical geology and geomorphology, structural geology, plate tectonics, and hydrogeology. Associated laboratory work on minerals, rocks and mapping.
Textbooks: T West, Geology Applied to Engineering; or A Holmes, Principles of Physical Geology 4th Edition