GEOLOGY 3500 - Exploration Methods III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course will introduce a series of geological and geophysical techniques that can be applied to determine the physical characteristics of the Earth's lithosphere, with direct application to the detection and mapping of mineral and energy resources in three dimensions. We will take a generic view, that economic concentrations of mineral and energy resources are geological anomalies that are defined by extreme localised enrichments (of specific elements, minerals, liquids, gases or heat) and are recognisable by steep gradients in a range of measurable geophysical properties. The course will be divided into modules covering geophysical exploration techniques commonly used in minerals and energy exploration, (gravity, magnetic, electrical, electro-magnetic and seismic surveys). We will examine the theoretical basis of each technique, the methods of data collection, presentation and analysis, and appropriate, geologically constrained, interpretation of the data. Students will explore an industry style data base and softwares with the aim of developing an exploration and targeting model for hydrocarbon resources.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOLOGY 3500
Course	Exploration Methods III
Coordinating Unit	Earth Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	GEOLOGY 3017, GEOLOGY 2515 and GEOLOGY 3018
Assessment	Exam, practical exercises, tests

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Graham Heinson

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

This course aims to introduce students to the techniques used to measure and map geologic,
geophysical and geochemical characteristics of the lithosphere, with applications to mineral and energy exploration.

It also aims to provide students with the theoretical background to each technique (including its strengths and limitations), the methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation and an appreciation of the exploration scenarios in which each technique may apply.

The anticipated knowledge, skills and/or attitude to be developed by the student are:

Demonstrated knowledge of:

1	Demonstrated proficiency in common practical skills in resource exploration
2	The scientific basis of mineral, energy and natural resource exploration
3	The generic characteristics of economic mineral and energy resources – geological, geophysical and geochemical anomalism
4	The geophysical techniques (seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical and electro-magnetics)
5	The geochemical techniques (sampling media, sampling strategies, analytical techniques)
6	Field based data collection – sampling strategies
7	Demonstrated understanding of the importance of data quality – collection, analysis, processes techniques

最新糖心Vlog 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, 2, 3, 4, 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, 6, 7
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.	6, 7
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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	6
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.	6, 7

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course comprises:

Two lectures of 1 hour each per week
One practical of 4 hours per week
Two days field data acquisition timetabled during lecture/prac days

Workload

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

Lecture
2 hours of lecture and 1 hour preparation

Practicals
4 hours practical work most weeks
1 hour per week extra reading time and completing some practical exercises for assessment

Field work
Scheduled during lecture, practical sessions
3 hours per week extra reading and report writing from fieldwork

TOTAL HRS PER WEEK
Up to 6 contact hours
Up to 6 non-contact hours

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	The science and practice of mineral and energy exploration
week 2	Minerals and energy resources in the 最新糖心Vlogn setting
Week 3	Geochemical techniques
Week 4	Geochemical techniques
Week 5	Geochemical techniques
Week 6	Geophysical techniques
Week 7	Geophysical techniques
Week 8	Geophysical techniques
Week 9	Geophysical techniques
Week 10	Geophysical techniques
Week 11	Geophysical techniques
Week 12	Exploration case studies

The 最新糖心Vlog'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 of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes/No	Outcomes being assessed/achieved	Due date
Weekly tests (8 x 5%)	Summative & Formative	40%	No	1,2,3,4,5
Seismic Interpretation pracs and in-class tests	Summative & Formative	35%	No	1,2,3,4,7
Geophysics report	Summative	25%	No	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled practical sessions.

The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent on laboratory experience and practice. Therefore, missing any practical class in a semester will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course.

Students are able to apply for an allowed absence from a practical session for medical or compassionate reasons by submitting an absence form with appropriate supporting documentation to the course coordinator. Application forms can be downloaded from

Practicals missed due to medical or compassionate reasons must be made up (opportunity permitting; contact the course coordinator for details, as soon as possible to discuss options). All students who miss a practical will receive an email at their 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide student account with instructions on the action to be taken to organise a make-up practical.

Assessment Detail

Weekly Tests (8, each worth 5%):
A weekly test (on the previous weeks materials) will generally be given at the start of each lab class, and each will be worth 5% of the years marks.

Seismic interpretation (35%):
Practical exercises and quizzes will amount to 35% for the last 4 weeks of semester

Report (25 %):
The report is intended as a measure of summative knowledge of the course material in the first eight weeks.

Submission

Late Submission
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 .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog 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 最新糖心Vlog 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鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog 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

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