GEOL357-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020

Topics in New Zealand Geology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2020
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 24 July 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 25 September 2020

Description

This course examines New Zealand geology in a regional and global context of tectonics, climate, and oceanographic events. Topics covered will include tectonics, resources and the geological development of New Zealand. The course aims to develop student’s research, presentation and written communication, and geological synthesis skills, and to build an understanding of New Zealand geology relevant to our future. This course is seen as a capstone course for BSc students, and useful preparation for those going on to postgraduate study.

This course examines New Zealand geology in a regional and global context of tectonics, climate, and oceanographic events. The lectures aim to provide a broad basis of related scientific framework on a general scale as well as place New Zealand into the global context. Students will draw on their existing knowledge of geology to examine and assess key questions in New Zealand geology. Students will also complete an individual literature based research project at improving presentation and scientific writing skills.

Topics covered will include tectonics, resources, and the geological development of New Zealand and will be covered in discrete modules through the course, and students will be expected to complete reading assignments associated with lectures. The course aims to develop student’s research, written and oral communication and geological synthesis skills, and to build an understanding of New Zealand geology relevant to our future.

Learning Outcomes

  • Goal of the Course
    Students should gain an understanding on the major geological processes that shaped New Zealand through a discussion of the tectonic development at convergent and divergent plate margins and be able to critically assess and utilize geological evidence and place New Zealand into a global context.


    Learning Outcomes
    Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
  • Evaluate the tectonic evolution of New Zealand and the role of plate boundary dynamics
  • Evaluate selected Cenozoic palaeoclimate events and their likely causes, and explain their expression in New Zealand rocks  
  • Articulate aspects of the petroleum characteristics of New Zealand basins
  • Interpret, critically assess aspects of New Zealand resource geology
  • Prepare and present poster and extended abstract on an individual topic as preparation for future tasks in the workforce or during postgraduate studies
  • Evaluate the scientific literature and its contribution to advancement of science.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Any 45 points at 200 level from GEOL.

Timetable Note

Week #   Week starting  Lectures           Labs TBC

29     13th July     Introduction CMR No lab
30     20th July     NZ Basement terranes CMR Library research session
31     27th July     NZ Basement terranes CMR ASC 1 – Poster development
32     3rd Aug       Palaeogene/Neogene development of New Zealand CMR ASC 2 – Writing skills
33     10th Aug     Chatham Rise phosphorite and glauconite CMR   Poster presentation (10%)
34     17th Aug     Pliocene to recent palaeoseismic records CMR   No lab - extended abstract due (10%)
SEMESTER BREAK
37      7th Sept     To be confirmed        KNB   No lab
38     14th Sept     To be confirmed KNB   No lab - topical paper review 1 due (10%)
39      21st Sept    Hikurangi Margin JRP No lab
40     27th Sept     Hikurangi Margin JRP No lab - topical paper review 2 due (10%)
41      5th Oct       Pacific Arc ARN No lab
42     12th Oct       Pacific Arc ARN No lab - topical paper review 3 due (10%)

Course Coordinator / Lecturers

Catherine Reid and Alex Nichols

Lecturers

Jarg Pettinga and Kari Bassett

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Research Poster 10%
Extended abstract 10%
NZ topical paper review 1 10%
NZ topical paper review 2 10%
NZ topical paper review 3 10%
Final examination 50%


In the first half of the course internal assessment in GEOL357 is based around an individual literature based research project which will be presented both as a poster (10% of course assessment) and an extended abstract (total 10% of course assessment). In the second half students will be given a geological research topic relevant to New Zealand, complete a literature search, and provide a brief summary, and justification, of the two papers they feel are the most significant to the advancement of the field.

Assessment Name                         Weighting                    Due Date
Research poster & presentation        10%                          Week 33 (during lab time)
Extended abstract                           10%                           End Week 34
NZ topical paper review 1                10%                          End Week 38
NZ topical paper review 2                10%                          End Week 40
NZ topical paper review 3                10%                          End Week 42
Final exam                                       50%                          In year-end exam period

Textbooks / Resources

Course reading
Weekly reading to be advised and students are expected to complete this reading in their own time. The lecture material and the provided reading will be assessed through written essays in the final formal exam

Notes

Timetable
Lectures: one lecture per week
Practicals: 2.5 hour tutorial or practical sessions as timetabled (see weekly planner)

Prerequisites
45 points from GEOL240-246. GEOL351 and GEOL352 are highly recommended.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $900.00

International fee $4,250.00

* 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.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL357 Occurrences

  • GEOL357-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020