GEOLOGY 3008 - Geophysics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

Geophysicists are employed in a wide range of industries, including petroleum and mineral exploration, groundwater, contaminants and salinity evaluation, state and government geological surveys, defence science and academic research. This course provides the background for a career in solid-earth, exploration and environmental geophysics. It is split into three sections: (i) seismic methods (ii) electromagnetic methods and (iii) potential field methods (mainly gravity and magnetics). In each section, we start with the underlying mathematical basis and examine applications at global, exploration and environmental scales. The course also involves methods of geophysical data analysis, modelling, visualisation and interpretation through a series of computer laboratories. Students will be introduced to career options through industry visits and involvement with the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The course is aimed at students from a range of numerate scientific backgrounds including geoscience, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer sciences.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOLOGY 3008
Course	Geophysics III
Coordinating Unit	School of Physical Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	MATHS 1013 or equivalent
Assumed Knowledge	GEOLOGY 1000 or PHYSICS 1100 & PHYSICS 1200 or PHYSICS 1101 & PHYSICS 1201
Assessment	Assignments, quizzes, exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Derrick Hasterok

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

A succcessful student in this course should be able to:
1	demonstrate proficiency in common practical skills in geophysics;
2	describe the difference between a potential field, diffusive field, and a wave field;
3	explain how geophysics is used to predict rock chemistry and/or mineralogy;
4	discuss advantages and limitations to various geophysical methods with respect to sensitivities and geologic conditions;
5	discuss the differences between the oceanic and continental lithospheres in a variety of geophysical contexts;
6	discuss the assumptions applied to Maxwell’s equations and the conditions under which they apply that result in fundamentally different geophysical phenomena;
7	predict the geophysical response to simplified geological structures;
8	develop relationships for characteristic temporal and spatial scales from more complex mathematical relationships;
9	design an appropriate set of geophysical surveys to investigate a potential subsurface target.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1-9
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	3-9
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	1
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Notes will be provided via MyUni

Recommended Resources

Additional sources for recommended reading may be provided by lecturers on an as-needed basis.

Texts upon which the lecture notes are loosely based:

*Feynman Lectures on Physics, volumes I and II, R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton, and M. Sands
(basic introduction to the math and physical principles presented in plain English)

Potential Theory in Gravity & Magnetic Applications, R.J. Blakely
(basic potential theory and specific applications to gravity and magnetics)

*Fundamentals of Geophysics, W. Lowrie
(overview of many concepts)

Electromagnetic Methods in Applied Geophysics: Volume 2, Application, Parts A and B, M.N. Nabighian (Ed.) (specific applications of EM theory)

References denoted * are available in the Barr Smith library.

Online Learning
It is important that all students maintain active communication throughout the course. The primary communication pathways from the course staff to students are email and MyUni for course-related announcements, teaching material and additional resources.

The University’s online learning management system, MyUni, will be used to provide students with a variety of learning resources, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Lecture notes
- Lecture recordings
- Problem sets and solutions
- Online Tutorials
- Practical exercises
- Links to other websites that may assist learning, such as maths help
ALL assignments, practicals, and learning resources will be provided electronically. No printed copies will be supplied.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures will derive and discuss fundamental geophysical concepts and their relationship to geologic structures and petrologic variations.

Problem sets with short answer and quantitative exercises give students the opportunity to practice their knowledge of content and apply fundamental concepts covered in lectures. Completed outside of normal class hours, the problem sets will allow students to set their own pace.

Online Tutorials will cover quantitative background concepts that students enrolled in the course may lack or require as review. Tutorials will be delivered as a short introductory video, example worked problems, and self-directed problems meant to provide experience and build confidence. The focus is specifically on improving mathematical skills and knowledge of physical concepts necessary to understand lectures and complete problem sets.
Practicals will provide action- or computer-based activities that stress application of geophysical concepts and synthesis with geological and petrological knowledge through computer exercises and group work.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students should expect an average of 12 hours per week (including non-contact time).

The course comprises approximately two lectures and weekly practicals/problem sets (to be completed outside normal class hours). The three units of the course will be tested in class through three unit quizzes and a final exam.

Learning Activities Summary

The course content includes the following:

Physical Properties and geophysical equations (week 1)

Unit 1: Potential Fields (weeks 2 to 5)
gravity, magnetostatics, steady-state heat flow

Unit 2: Diffusion (weeks 6 to 9, no class in week 7)
transient heat flow, Maxwell’s equations, time-domain electromagnetics, frequency-domain electromagnetics

Unit 3: Waves (weeks 10 to 12)
seismology, ground penetrating radar

Weekly take-home problem sets will review lecture materials. Unit quizzes will test knowledge of key concepts and provide mid-term feedback. Biweekly tutorials will cover basic background concepts. Biweekly laboratories will involve problem solving using paper and computer methods.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Percentage	Redemm	Hurdle	Learning Outcome
Weekly problem sets (10)	Summative	30%	No	No	1-8
Practicals	Formative	0%		No	3-5, 7-9
Tutorials	Formative	0%		No	1, 6, 8
Unit quizzes (3)	Summative	30%	No	No	Unit 1: 1-5, 7,8 Unit 2: 3-8 Unit 3: 2-4, 7,8
Final exam	Summative	40%	Yes	No	1-9

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled Geophysics practical sessions. The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on this hands-on experience and practice. Therefore, missing any practical class in a semester without an allowed absence will result
in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course.

Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a class by submitting the application form, with appropriate supporting documentation, to the Course Co-ordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current-students/forms/savs-allowed-leaveofabsence-tute-prac.pdf

Assessment Detail

Practicals and Problem sets: (30% of total course grade)

Practicals will be used to reinforce and expand upon quantitative concepts discussed in lecture. Students will complete quantitative and computer based exercises and may work in groups to complete tasks. Portions and/or extension of these exercises will be included as part of the take home problem sets.

Weekly take-home problem sets will be due one week from assigned date and will cover material from the week in which they are assigned. Problem sets will include 4 to 10 short answer questions and/or quantitative exercises and should take approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete. Each problem must be attempted and submitted individually. Each problem set will be marked for degree of attempt and one to two questions marked for accuracy and quality. Students will receive feedback one week later.

Tutorials: (0% of total course grade)

Tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to improve quantitative skills required to understand course material and complete problem sets.

Quizzes: (30% of total course grade)

There will be three, 40-minute quizzes worth 10% each. Quizzes will cover material covered in the course notes, lectures, and practicals. Quizzes will consist of short answer and simple qualitative and quantitative exercises. Unit quizzes will be held at the start of the proceeding unit at the start of the practical/tutorial. Students will receive feedback one week later.

Final exam: (40% of total course grade)

A 2-hour end-of-semester oral examination will summatively assess understanding of the course material. The exam will consist of short answer and quantitative exercises.

Submission

Submission of Assigned Work

Take-home problem sets must be returned by 5:00 pm of the due date.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks

Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension tothe Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritizing of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current

Late Submission of Assessment

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks willbe applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approvedextension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator