GEOL479-15S1 (C) Semester One 2015

Active Tectonics and Geomorphology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 23 February 2015
End Date: Sunday, 28 June 2015
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 8 March 2015
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 24 May 2015

Description

Active deformation is explored in this course, introducing the criteria by which active deformation can be identified and located. The emphasis is on the interaction between tectonic and other geomorphic processes in shaping the landscape and the way in which the nature of the underlying deformation can be identified and quantified from an analysis of topography.

This course explores the interactions between the tectonic forces that build topography and the surface processes that tend to destroy it. We will explore why the Earth’s surface has the shape that it does and how the nature of sub-surface deformation can be identified and quantified from an analysis of surface deposits and topography. Lectures will draw on the fields of structural geology, field mapping, seismology, geomorphology, geodesy, geophysics, and Quaternary dating techniques to understand the origin and evolution of landscapes in New Zealand and beyond. Assignments will include a 1 day field trip to the Greendale Fault rupture, three assignments, and an oral presentation. Several lectures will also focus on the scientific process, including the acquisition, manipulation, and presentation of scientific data and the designing and presenting original research plans.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students successfully completing this course will:
  • Have a general understanding of the interactions between tectonic and geomorphic processes, particularly the response to active folding and faulting.
  • Have a general knowledge of the range of techniques used to investigate active deformation processes.
  • Have some knowledge of techniques appropriate for dating active tectonic events and resulting landforms.
  • Acquire a basic understanding of hillslope processes and the various forcing factors driving the geomorphic responses
  • Be aware of current research trends.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Timetable Note

This course runs in 2-hour time slots once a week. Location to be confirmed.

Course Coordinator

For further information see School of Earth and Environment Head of Department

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Understanding earthquakes 30% Understanding earthquakes
Active faulting and geomorphology 30% Active faulting and geomorphology
Research proposal 25% Research proposal
Oral presentation of research proposal 10% Oral presentation of research proposal
Participation in group discussion 5% Participation in group discussion


Assignments will include a 1 day field trip to the Greendale Fault rupture, three assignments, and an oral presentation. Several lectures will also focus on the scientific process, including the acquisition, manipulation, and presentation of scientific data and the designing and presenting original research plans.

Course links

Library portal

Notes

Field trip dates and locations
Greendale Fault – to be advised.

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Marks and Grades
The Department of Geological Sciences uses the following scale to convert marks into grades:
100 – 90 A+ 75 – 79 B+ 60 – 64 C+
89 – 85 A 70 – 74 B 55 – 59 C
84 – 80 A- 65 – 69 B- 50 – 54 C-
Below 50 D/E
The Department of Geological Sciences reserves the right to adjust this mark/grade conversion, when deemed necessary.

Late Work
Late work should be accompanied with a short note explaining why the work is late. The work will be marked and marks will be subtracted for each day the work is late. Days late include week-ends and holidays.

Aegrotat Applications
If you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other critical circumstances has prevented you from completing an item of assessment or affected your performance, you should complete an aegrotat application form, available from the Registry or the Student Health and Counselling Service. This should be within seven days of the due date for the required work or the date of the examination. In the case of illness or injury, medical consultation should normally have taken place shortly before or within 24 hours after the due date for the required work, or the date of the test or examination. For further details on aegrotat applications, please refer to the Enrolment Handbook. You have the right to appeal any decision made, including aegrotat decisions.

Missing of Tests
In rare cases a student will not be able to sit a test. In such cases, the student should consult with the course co-ordinator or the Head of Geological Sciences to arrange alternative procedures. This must be done well in advance of the set date for the test, unless the situation is covered by the aegrotat regulations.

Reconsideration of Grades
• Grades for individual items of coursework may be reassessed, and in the first instance students should speak with the course coordinator. If an agreeable solution cannot be reached students should then speak to the Head of the Geological Sciences Department. Reconsideration should normally be requested within 4 weeks of the test or the return of the item of assessment.
• Grade reconsideration for courses as a whole can be obtained by applying to the Registry within 4 weeks of the date of publication of the final results. Students should refer to UC Calendar under general course and examination regulations for details of the appeal process.

Academic Liaison
Tom Brookman and Tim Stahl currently share the Chairperson role on the Postgraduate Liaison Committee. A student representative is appointed to the Liaison Committee at the start of the semester. Please feel free to talk to Tom, Tim or the student representative about any problems or concerns that you might have.

Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should speak with someone at the Disability Resource Service. Inquire in the first instance at Level 3 Rutherford Building  Email: disability@canterbury.ac.nz

Policy on Dishonest Practice
Plagiarism, collusion, copying and ghost writing are unacceptable and dishonest practices.
• Plagiarism is the presentation of any material (text, data, figures or drawings, on any medium including computer files) from any other source without clear and adequate acknowledgement of the source.
• Collusion is the presentation of work performed in conjunction with another person or persons, but submitted as if it has been completed only by the named author(s).  
• Copying is the use of material (in any medium, including computer files) produced by another person(s) with or without their knowledge and approval.
• Ghost writing is the use of another person(s) (with or without payment) to prepare all or part of an item submitted for assessment.  
In cases where dishonest practice is involved in tests or other work submitted for credit, the student will be referred to the University Proctor. The instructor may choose to not mark the work.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $976.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL479 Occurrences

  • GEOL479-15S1 (C) Semester One 2015