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This course covers the application of micro- and macrofossil data in the interpretation of palaeoenvironments through laboratory and field projects; and covers aspects of biogeography, palaeoecology, taphonomy and bias in the fossil record in seminar based classes. An emphasis is placed on New Zealand examples.
This course will focus on the practical analysis and application of macro and microfossils in determining past environments and evolutionary patterns. It is recommended for all students interested in palaeontology, Quaternary Science or environmental management of rivers and estuaries. The first half of the course is a practical learning series where students collect and interpret field data. Students will gain field skills in core and sediment collection. In the laboratory students will learn to process, identify and interpret micropalaeontological data. In term 2 in seminar based classes students will be given articles to read and present as a short (10-15) topic review to the rest of the class. This will be followed by a whole class discussion of the week’s topic, as a means of developing critical assessment. Topics covered will include the concepts of taphonomy and time-averaging, and their influence on palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, and the evolution and biogeography of the NZ biota. Topics covered in these seminar sessions can be tailored to suit the interests of the class.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Provisional schedule for 2018 Week - Week starting - SEMINARS (2 hours) - LABS (3 hours)8 - 19th Feb - Class meeting and introduction9 - 26th Feb - Weekend field trip Sunday 25th and ID of foraminifera in sampled material10 - 5th March - ID of foraminifera in sampled material11 - 12th March - ID of foraminifera in sampled material12 - 19th March - ID of foraminifera in sampled material13 - 26th March - Data analysis (computer lab) SEMESTER BREAK 17 - 23rd April - Shell morphology - Completion of Avon-Heathcote material and report preparation (no class)18 - 30th April - Shell debates 19 - 7th May - Taphonomy & time averaging - Field trip Lower Waipara River (TBC May 12th varies from timetable)20 - 14th May - NZ biogeography 21 - 21st May - NZ biogeography 22 - 28th May - No class – exam prep
Catherine Reid
References will be given during class and students are expected read these as well as complete their own literature reviews to cover topics in preparation for the exam.
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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 $1,046.00
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 Geological Sciences .