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This course will concentrate on the geochemical aspects of igneous petrology. At every stage we will be seeking to discover what magma chemistry can tell us about the nature of igneous processes and the relationships between igneous rocks. Following coverage of "core material" we will discuss particular igneous processes, the petrogenesis of certain rock suites and select some of the "hot topics" in igneous petrology.
This course will concentrate on the geochemical aspects of igneous petrology. We will examine how geochemical data are collected, evaluated, interpreted and presented, and using real geochemical datasets we will discover what magma chemistry can tell us about the nature of igneous processes and the relationships between igneous rocks.In weekly seminars we will discuss some of the ‘hot topics’ in igneous petrology, outline techniques used to measure geochemical data and how to tackle the marked assignments. Students will also be shown the sample preparation and analytical facilities available in the Department, for possible use in their Honours’ and Master’s theses. Marked assignments will include problem sets where the students have to manipulate, describe and interpret geochemical datasets in terms of igneous processes, a poster presentation on a subject preferably related to their chosen Honours’ or Master’s thesis topic, and finally an illustrated report in the style of a journal article presenting, describing and interpreting an existing geochemical dataset, applying what they have learnt throughout the course.An understanding of chemistry, mathematics, mineralogy and some experience of using Excel or an alternative spreadsheet and graphing program is recommended.
1) Realise the importance of geochemistry and igneous petrology to all aspects of geology.2) Choose the appropriate geochemical techniques to test geological hypotheses.3) Manipulate and interpret geochemical data to understand igneous processes.4) Discuss the benefits and limitations of geological interpretations based on geochemical data.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Provisional schedule for 2018 Week - Date - SEMINAR (2 hours) - ASSIGNMENTS8 - 20th Feb - Introduction and recap - Problem Set 1: Major and trace element variations9 - 27th Feb - Sample preparation and XRF at UC (RS) - Problem Set 2: Mineral analyses10 - 6th Mar - Measuring major and trace elements - Problem Set 3: Mineral-melt thermometry11 - 13th Mar - Analysing minerals Poster and oral presentation preparation12 - 20th Mar - How to prepare posters and abstracts, discussion - Poster and oral presentation preparation 13 - 27th Mar - Poster and oral presentations - Research report assignment set for term 2 MID-SEMESTER BREAK 17 - 24th Apr - Geochemical databases Problem Set 4: Geochemical databases18 - 1st May - Measuring isotopes Problem Set 5: Using isotopes in dating and igneous rock petrogenesis19 - 8th May - Analysing and understanding volatiles in magmas, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy at UC - Problem Set 6: Understanding volatile behaviour in magmas20 - 15th May - Discussion - Research report21 - 22nd May - Research report - Research report22 - 29th May - Research report - Research report
Alex Nichols
Rob Spiers
Assessment40% Problem Sets and Class Participation (throughout Terms 1 and 2)30% Poster, abstract and 3-minute oral presentation (presented end of Term 1)30% Research Report (due end of Term 2)Attendance of the seminar period is mandatory in order to pass the course.Please bring a laptop with Excel, a calculator and a Periodic Table to every seminar.
Deer, W. A. , Howie, R. A., Zussman, J; An introduction to the rock-forming minerals ; 2nd ed.; Longman Scientific & Technical ; Wiley, 1992.
Gill R; Modern Analytical Geochemistry ; Longman, 1997.
Rollinson, Hugh R.1949-; Using geochemical data : evaluation, presentation, interpretation ; Longman Scientific & Technical ; Copublished in the U.S. with J. Wiley & Sons, 1993.
Winter, John D.1948-; An introduction to igneous and metamorphic petrology ; Prentice Hall, 2001.
Journal articles will be assigned to students to help prepare their posters, and students will also be expected to explore the literature themselves to fully answer the problem sets and to support their research report.
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Pre-requisitesSubject to approval of the Head of Department.
Marks and GradesThe Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:100 – 90 A+ 75 – 79 B+ 60 – 64 C+89 – 85 A 70 – 74 B 55 – 59 C84 – 80 A- 65 – 69 B- 50 – 54 C- Below 50 D/EThe Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.Late WorkLate work should be accompanied with a short note explaining why the work is late. The work will be marked and marks will be subtracted for each day the work is late. Days late include week-ends and holidays.Aegrotat ApplicationsIf you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other critical circumstances has prevented you from completing an item of assessment or affected your performance, you should complete an aegrotat application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service. This should be within seven days of the due date for the required work or the date of the examination. In the case of illness or injury, medical consultation should normally have taken place shortly before or within 24 hours after the due date for the required work, or the date of the test or examination. For further details on aegrotat applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook. You have the right to appeal any decision made, including aegrotat decisions.Missing of TestsIn rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test. In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator or the Head of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test, unless the situation is covered by the aegrotat regulations.Reconsideration of Grades• Grades for individual items of coursework may be reassessed, and in the first instance students should speak with the course coordinator. If an agreeable solution cannot be reached students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Reconsideration should normally be requested within 4 weeks of the test or the return of the item of assessment.• Grade reconsideration for courses as a whole can be obtained by applying to the Registry within 4 weeks of the date of publication of the final results. Students should refer to UC Calendar under general course and examination regulations for details of the appeal process.Academic LiaisonTom Brookman and Tim Stahl currently share the Chairperson role on the Postgraduate Liaison Committee. A student representative is appointed to the Liaison Committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to Tom, Tim or the student representative about any problems or concerns that you might have.Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should speak with someone at the Disability Resource Service. Inquire in the first instance at Level 3 Rutherford Building Email: disability@canterbury.ac.nzPolicy on Dishonest PracticePlagiarism, collusion, copying and ghost writing are unacceptable and dishonest practices. • Plagiarism is the presentation of any material (text, data, figures or drawings, on any medium including computer files) from any other source without clear and adequate acknowledgement of the source.• Collusion is the presentation of work performed in conjunction with another person or persons, but submitted as if it has been completed only by the named author(s). • Copying is the use of material (in any medium, including computer files) produced by another person(s) with or without their knowledge and approval.• Ghost writing is the use of another person(s) (with or without payment) to prepare all or part of an item submitted for assessment. In cases where dishonest practice is involved in tests or other work submitted for credit, the student will be referred to the University Proctor. The instructor may choose to not mark the work.
Domestic fee $1,013.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Earth and Environment .