This intensive field course aims to provide students with advanced understanding of modern and fossil carbonate environments, and the role of biological processes in reef building and erosion. It complements EMSC6023 Marine Biogeochemistry and is for students seeking a profession in the marine science, environmental science or geochemistry. Several days will be spent at a coral reef location investigating a modern reefal setting, fossil reef depositional environments and relevant biological processes. Activities will include both advanced lectures and field surveys.
This course has a limited enrolment and permission is required to enrol in this course. Please register interest by emailing the course convener or student.admin.rses@anu.edu.au (it is advisable to to this before the end of semester 1).
NOTE: Graduate students will attend joint classes with undergraduates, but will be assessed under a different scheme, which will require a greater level of conceptual understanding.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify, understand and map different environments and bio-zones on a carbonate reef platform.
- Apply field techniques used to characterize and assess carbonate reef ecosystems.
- Produce detailed maps of the reef flat.
- Critique the history of deposition of carbonate reef platforms over Holocene time.
- Gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to measure carbonate chemistry in the field.
- Demonstrate understanding and interpretation of a spectrum of coral reef biological processes.
- Appraise and contrast the major issues facing the future of carbonate reef ecosystems and the strategies that may be used to address these threats.
Research-Led Teaching
In the field you will undertake mapping a coral reef flat area and undertake a research project specific to One Tree Island in the Great Barrier Reef.
Field Trips
Course will take place on One Tree Island
Additional Course Costs
Students must pay $800 to attend the course. Payment can be made via Scienceshop .
Examination Material or equipment
Exam on the island.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
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 | Mapping, research and lectures on One Tree Island. The intensive face-to-face component will take place in December or January. Some assessment tasks are due in Mid January. |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|
Oral Presentation of research project on One Tree Island | 10 % | 2,5,6,7 |
Exam on island | 30 % | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
Research Project Report | 30 % | 1,2,3 |
Map of coral reef flat area | 30 % | 1,2,3 |
* 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:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
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 Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
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.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 2,5,6,7
Oral Presentation of research project on One Tree Island
Present a description of your research project and any results
Due while on the island
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Exam on island
Exam on Island based on lectures on the Island.
Due while on the island
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Research Project Report
Standard report describing research project, why important, results, discussion, conclusion and what next.
Due in mid January. Check Wattle for details.
Assessment Task 4
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
Map of coral reef flat area
Produce a detailed map of the reef flat area of One Tree Island highlighting organisms and zones of the reef flat.
Due in mid January. Check Wattle for details.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to 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 be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, 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 Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
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) 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
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, 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
There will be a response via Wattle or students can pick up in person.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.
Resubmission of Assignments
Not permitted
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).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
![]() |
|
|||
Research InterestsCoral reefs, geochemistry, radiocarbon, environmental studies |
AsPr Stewart Fallon
![]() |
|
Instructor
![]() |
|
|||
Research Interests |
Prof Michael Ellwood
![]() |
|
Instructor
![]() |
|
|||
Research Interests |
Prof Nerilie Abram
![]() |
|