This course focuses on analytical methods and data science in Earth Sciences. It includes understanding types of instrumentation and other analytical techniques essential to the Earth Sciences, how to assess data quality, how to document and present results effectively, and how to use statistical and numerical techniques to interpret data quantitatively in Earth Sciences.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the theoretical and practical aspects of major analytical instrumentation (including electron microprobe, FTIR, XRF, XRD, mass spectrometery - ICPMS, TIMS, SIMS) used across the Earth Sciences in fields such as geochemistry, mineralogy, biogeochemistry, marine and climate science. The emphasis is on instrumentation and laboratories available to students at RSES.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different analytical techniques for different applications.
- Appraise the advantages and disadvantages of different analytical techniques for a research program.
- Undertake data assessment and quality control.
- Explain the requirements for data documentation and reporting in a professional context.
- Assess a suite of relevant statistical techniques and use them to evaluate data sets to assess quality of data needed to obtain specific goals.
- Communicate effectively a variety of data science tools as applicable to Earth Science research problems.
Indicative Assessment
- Students will complete classroom and independent work for assessment, including practicals, oral presentations and theory exams. Specifically: Theory exams - Best 2 of 3 exams. (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Practical exercises including problems and use of datasets designed to explore and illustrate basic principles of instrumentation and production of high quality data (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Oral and written presentation exploring a technique relevant to a student's desired research topic in more depth (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Practical exercise on application of statistical techniques to the evaluation of data sets and quality (50) [LO 3,5,6,7]
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Workload
65 hours of lectures and hands-on practicals. Approximately 65 hours of self study, based upon a combination of in-class assignments.
Inherent Requirements
Not yet determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Earth Sciences to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
An appropriate reading list will be provided during the course.
Assumed Knowledge
Basic knowledge of mathematics and chemistry.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4930 | 25 Feb 2019 | 04 Mar 2019 | 31 Mar 2019 | 31 May 2019 | In Person | View |