GEOLOGY 3023 - Geophysics IIIB: Electromagnetics and Seismology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

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 investigates diffusive and wave-based geophysical techniques, covering topics in earthquake seismology, active seismic techniques, and time-domain and frequency-domain electromagnetics. 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. The course is aimed at students from a range of numerate scientific backgrounds including geoscience, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer sciences.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	GEOLOGY 3023
Course	Geophysics IIIB: Electromagnetics and Seismology
Coordinating Unit	School of Physical Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	GEOLOGY 3022 or MATHS 1013 or SACE Stage 2 Specialist Maths or equivalent, GEOLOGY 2515 or (PHYSICS 1100 & PHYSICS 1200) or (PHYSICS 1101 & PHYSICS 1201)
Incompatible	GEOLOGY 3008
Assumed Knowledge	GEOLOGY 1100 or GEOLOGY 1300
Assessment	Problem sets, practical reports and unit tests

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Derrick Hasterok

Graham Heinson and Derrick Hasterok

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student in this course should be able to:

1	Discuss both quantitatively and conceptually how electromagnetic and seismic fields are modified by differences in rock composition and/or structure and determine how these effects are manifest in the responses of fields at Earth’s surface;
2	Discuss the assumptions applied to geophysical equations and the conditions under which they apply to electromagnetic and seismic phenomena;
3	Analyse complex mathematical relationships to determine characteristic temporal and spatial scales of electromagnetic and seismic anomalies;
4	Develop mathematical and computer skills to interrogate data and model the geophysical fields; and
5	Work together in groups to create, process and analyse experimental data

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)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	4, 5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1-5
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	1, 3, 4, 5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	5

Learning Resources

Online Learning

Wolfram Alpha is a useful resource for checking answers, or helping take derivatives and integrals.

Believe it or not, Wikipedia is generally an excellent source for relatively understandable math resources.

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.

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.

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.

Workload

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

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision.

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Schedule
BASICS OF GEOPHYSIS
Week 1	The Diffusion and Wave Equations
UNIT 1: ELECTROMAGNETICS
Week 2	Maxwell's Equations Electrical Resistivity/Conductivity and Rocks
Week 3	Time-domain electromagnetics
Week 4	Frequency-domain electromagnetics (1-D) Frequency-domain electromagnetics (1, 2-D)
Week 5	Phase Tensors Induced Polarization
	UNIT 2: SEISMICS AND SEISMOLOGY
Week 6	Ground Penetrating Radar Seismic Wave equation
BREAK
Week 7	Midterm exam Earthquakes, Focal Mechanisms and Seismic Cycle
Week 8	Seismic Velocity and Rocks Reflection seismics
Week 9	Refraction seismics Receiver Functions and Anisotropy
Week 10	Tomography Surface Waves and Ambient Noise
MODERN GEOPHYSICS
Week 11	Data Processing Data Processing
Week 12	Inverse theory Inverse theory
Week 13	Review

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	Weighting	Hurdle	Learning Outcome Assessed	Due
Online tutorials	Formative	0	No	1-3	fortnightly
Practicals	Formative & Summative	30	No	1-5	fortnightly
Problem sets	Formative & Summative	30	No	1-3	fortnightly
Unit tests	Summative	40	No	1-3	Weeks 4,9, 13

Assessment Detail

Practicals and problem sets will run in alternate weeks.

Practicals: (30% of total course grade)
Practicals will focus on reinforcing and expanding upon quantitative concepts discussed in lecture through lab and/or computer-based
exercises where students work in groups to complete a practical exercise. Work will be assessed via a practical reports that includes additional post-practical exercises. The reports will be due one week from assigned date. Students will receive feedback approximately one week later. The marks for practicals will be determined by 5% online peer assessment, 10% group results, and 15% post-practical exercises.

Problem sets: (30% of total course grade)
Problems sets will focus on reinforcing and expanding upon quantitative concepts discussed in lecture through predominantly mathematical derivations and back-of-the-envelope estimates. Problem sets should take approximately 8 hours to complete. Each problem must be attempted and submitted individually although some discussion between students is encouraged. Students will receive feedback approximately one week later.

Online 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.

Unit Tests: (40% of total course grade)
There will be three, 90-minute tests worth 13.3% each. Tests will cover material covered in the course notes, lectures, and practicals. Quizzes will consist of short answer and simple qualitative and quantitative exercises. Unit tests will be held approximately one week following the completion of a unit. Students will receive feedback approximately one week later.

Submission

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 to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/

Late submission of assessments
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 will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension 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