• Class Number 4879
  • Term Code 2930
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • AsPr Meghan Miller
  • LECTURER
    • AsPr David Heslop
    • AsPr Meghan Miller
  • DEMONSTRATOR
    • Thomas Duvernay
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 25/02/2019
  • Class End Date 31/05/2019
  • Census Date 31/03/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 04/03/2019
SELT Survey Results

Geophysics is crucial in our understanding of Earth's history, structure and physical conditions. This course will provide a practical introduction to Global Geophysics with an emphasis on Earth's internal and surface processes. Global Geophysics will bring together the structure and dynamics of the Earth in terms of processes varying on scales from the microscopic to the whole planet. Topics will include; plate tectonic theory, earthquakes, seismic waves, heat transport, mantle convection, magnetic and gravity fields, deep Earth structure, geophysical data analysis, and deformation of the solid Earth.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
  1. Describe the broad-scale structure of the whole Earth.
  2. Explain a range of geophysical processes that act from the Earth’s deep interior to surface.
  3. Discuss how seismic waves travel through the Earth and compare how they are transmitted, reflected and refracted.
  4. Appraise the theory of plate tectonics and explain its foundation in geophysical observations.
  5. Explain the basic configurations of plate tectonic boundaries and their development through time.
  6. Analyse geophysical data to reconstruct large-scale geological processes.
  7. Communicate the ideas underlying geophysical processes in an effective and accessible way.

Research-Led Teaching

There will be numerous opportunities for research-led teaching in the course, including the examination of recent research articles and reports (and their data) as part of the poster assignment, as well the opportunity for independent study. 

A list of recommended textbooks will be provided in class and placed on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

·      Written comments and results on submitted assessment pieces (practical and poster presentation and lightning talk).

·      Verbal feedback to the class, small groups or individuals. ?

  • Other methods as required. 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
2 Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
3 Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
4 Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical Exam on Plate Tectonics Module
5 Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
6 Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
7 Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
8 Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical Exam on Earth Structure Module
9 Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical
10 Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical
11 Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical Exam on Geohazards Module
12 Lectures and review Poster Conference in Practical

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Exam on Plate Tectonics 25 % 18/03/2019 22/03/2019 2, 4, 5, 7
Exam on Earth Structure 25 % 29/04/2019 03/05/2019 1, 2, 3, 7
Exam on Geohazards 25 % 20/05/2019 24/05/2019 2, 6, 7
Class poster presentation 25 % 28/05/2019 31/05/2019 7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in the practicals, the exams on each modules, the class poster conference in the final practical, and poster lightening talk are required.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held. Students should consult the course wattle site for the date, time and location of the exams.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 18/03/2019
Return of Assessment: 22/03/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2, 4, 5, 7

Exam on Plate Tectonics

In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.


The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 29/04/2019
Return of Assessment: 03/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 7

Exam on Earth Structure

In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.


The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 3

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 20/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 24/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2, 6, 7

Exam on Geohazards

 In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.


The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 4

Value: 25 %
Due Date: 28/05/2019
Return of Assessment: 31/05/2019
Learning Outcomes: 7

Class poster presentation

The poster presentation in class with comprise of a 3-minute lightning talk, creation of a conference style poster, presentation of the poster, lead and participate in discussion about your poster and your classmate posters.


The date range is an general indication of week in which the presentation will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the presentation.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned through Wattle as annotated pdf files on request.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

AsPr Meghan Miller
261253037
meghan.miller@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


  • structural seismology
  • tectonophysics
  • subduction zone processes
  • cratonic structure and evolution
  • field-based observational seismology

AsPr Meghan Miller

AsPr David Heslop
61253122
david.heslop@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


AsPr David Heslop

AsPr Meghan Miller
261253037
meghan.miller@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


AsPr Meghan Miller

Thomas Duvernay
thomas.duvernay@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Thomas Duvernay

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions