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The course examines the dynamic interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere determine the natural conditions of Earth at all spatial and temporal scales.
Dynamic interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere determine the natural conditions of Earth at all spatial and temporal scales. These interactions cycle matter and energy through the earth system via coupled chemical and physical processes. In short, GEOL245 explores how Earth works as a system. Understanding the processes that link significant chemical and physical changes in the earth system through time is a core component of modern geological science.This course covers the fundamental chemical and physical processes at work within the earth system through a combination of knowledge-based and applied teaching approaches. Lectures will both transfer knowledge and engage students in case studies. Laboratory exercises will apply lecture material to a variety of physical, chemical, and numerical problems. Topics to be covered include: biogeochemistry; hydrology & hydrogeology; low temperature geochemistry; environmental geology; geochronology.Timetable:Lectures - Three 1 hour lectures per week: schedule to be advisedLaboratories - 1 lab (2.5 hours) per week – schedule to be advised
Goal of the Course:This course seeks to provide students with fundamental knowledge and understanding of the processes at work within the Earth system on a variety of spatial and temporal scales.Learning Outcomes:Students successfully completing GEOL245 will: Know fundamental chemical reactions occurring in the Earth system. Know the processes that define the global biogeochemical cycles. Know how to calculate absolute ages using geochronologic methods. Understand the physical processes governing the transport of water through surface and subsurface systems. Understand how changes in one component of the Earth system will impact other components of the Earth system.
(1) GEOL111, and (2) GEOL113 or GEOL115
Travis Horton
There are no required textbooks for this course. However, you will be required to read assigned material posted on-line and/or placed on-reserve in the central library as indicated by your course instructors. Your final examination will assess your understanding of these assigned readings.
Library portal
Relationship to other coursesGEOL245 is required for entry into GEOL338 and is highly recommended for students completing a BSc with an Environmental Science endorsement.
Marks and GradesThe Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:100 – 90 A+ 74 – 70 B 54 – 50 C-89 – 85 A 69 – 65 B- 49 – 40 D84 – 80 A- 64 – 60 C+ Below 40 E79 – 75 B+ 59 – 55 C The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.Late WorkIt is the policy for this course that late work is not accepted. Or, late work should be accompanied with a detailed explanation of 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-end and holidays. Academic LiaisonChristopher Oze (room 329, HUchristopher.oze@canterbury.ac.nzUH, is in charge of liaison with students in geology courses. Each year level will appoint a student representative(s) to the liaison committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to the Academic Liaison or the student rep about any problems or concerns that you might have.Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities should speak with someone at Disability Resource Service. Their office is room 317 in the Rutherford Building. Phone: 364 2350 (or ext. 6350), email: disabilities@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 names 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. Reconsideration of GradesStudents should, in the first instance, speak to the course co-ordinator about their marks. If they cannot reach an agreeable solution, students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Students can appeal any decision made on their final grade. You can apply at the Registry to appeal the final grade within 4 weeks of the end of the semester. Be aware that there are time limits for each step of the appeals process. 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 the Department of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test.
Week # - Week starting - Lectures - Lecturer - Labs 29 - 11th July - Chemistry of the Earth System - TWH - Course project planning30 - 18th July - Hydrosphere - TWH - Hydrologic Mass Balance31 - 25th July - Pedosphere - TWH - Hydrologic Mass Balance - assessment32 - 1st Aug - Biosphere - TWH - Campus Streams33 - 8th Aug - Atmosphere - TWH - Campus Stream - assessment34 - 15th Aug - Earth’s Climate System - TWH - Course Projects35 - 22th Aug - SEMESTER BREAK 36 - 29th Aug - SEMESTER BREAK 37 - 5th Sept - Surface Water Systems - TWH - Course Projects38 - 12th Sept - Groundwater Systems - TWH - Course Projects39 - 19th Sept - Acid Mine/Rock Drainage - TWH - Acid Mine Drainage40 - 26th Sept - Mining and the Environment - TWH - Acid Mine Drainage - assessment41 - 3rd Oct - Geochronology - TWH - Course Project Presentations42 - 10th Oct - Earth System Interactions - TWH - Course Project Presentations
The topics coved by this course are:• Biogeochemistry• Low-Temperature Geochemistry• Hydrology• Hydrogeology• Aqueous Geochemistry• Geochronology
Domestic fee $832.00
International fee $3,638.00
* 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.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.
For further information see Geological Sciences .