Geology courses

Postgraduate Student Adviser (Geology and Applied Geology)

Doctor Julie Rowland
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 87412
Email: j.rowland@auckland.ac.nz


Postgraduate Student Adviser (Geophysics)

Doctor Barry Brennan
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88809
Email: b.brennan@auckland.ac.nz


Timetable information

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Students will consider multiple ways of knowing and understanding research in a broader context and in relation to disciplinary specific examples. Students will be challenged to critically analyse ways of understanding and thinking and use this knowledge to: assemble and represent information, perform analyses and predict outcomes, validate or critique the process, and communicate or question findings.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: TBA
Format: weekly lectures and tutorials
Points: 15
Assessment: 100 % coursework
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this course is required for the following programmes: Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Geographical Information Science, Geology and Applied Geology
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This field based course provides hands-on experience in outcrop mapping, geomorphic mapping and simple field testing of rocks and soils for geotechnical purposes. A variety of rock masses and soil masses in the Auckland region will be mapped during 8 days of fieldwork. Two days of tutorial follows. You will be able to develop the art of observation and description, draw engineering geological models and recognise and map geotechnical hazards.

This course is taught in: Summer Semester, City Campus (SS C)

Coordinator: Nick Richards
Format: this course runs from 31 January-10 February inclusive; and is largely taught as a non-residential field course
Points: 15
Assessment: entirely based on the field mapping assignments
Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 372
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes

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Geothermal systems are dynamic and of vital significance to national energy requirements. The course overviews the geologic, hydrologic and geochemical features of geothermal systems with emphasis on those occurring in New Zealand. Topics include the geologic setting of geothermal fields, exploration, heat and mass transfer, fluid compositions and boiling and mixing, geology of reservoirs, fluid/mineral equilibria, alteration and reservoir geothermometry.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Paul Hoskin
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus a 4-dayfield trip (14-17 September)
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes

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Introduction to contemporary methods used to identify and assess natural hazards, and the techniques used for the probabilistic forecasting, spatial representation and communication of hazards. The course also explores the relationship between hazard information, risk mitigation and emergency management. There will be a strong focus on case studies.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Jan Lindsay
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus one 4-day field trip (25-28 April)
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology, Applied Geology and Geography programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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New Zealand is an ideal location in which to investigate the interplay between tectonics and geomorphic processes. This will be demonstrated by combining relevant cases studies and field practise whereby students will develop skills in report writing and handling of some of the data, literature and tools necessary to conduct field research in active tectonics and landform generation.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Julie Rowland
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus a 3-5 day field trip - timing to be negotiated
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOG 743, GEOLOGY 712, GEOLOGY 773
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology, Applied Geology and Geography programmes
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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Paleontological data are used in hydrocarbon exploration, resource assessment, sequence stratigraphy, sedimentary basin analysis, dating/correlation of rocks, and evaluation of global biodiversity, paleobiogeography, and life’s evolution. This course examines fossils as research tools to decipher past biology, events and environments (Archean to Quaternary in age).

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Kathy Campbell
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework, 40% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology programme
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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Advanced teaching in geochemistry, that relates to mineral deposits, and examines case histories of ore deposits, to allow critical assessment of recent advances in research that underpins understanding of ore deposits.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Jeff Mauk
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus two 2-day field trips
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 302
Restriction: GEOLOGY 742
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology programme
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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Understanding how and why volcanoes erupt from magma processes in mantle to eruption at the surface. All tectonic settings and explosive and effusive processes are examined. Volcanic hazards and resource exploration in volcanic terrain is also covered.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Phil Shane
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Restriction: GEOLOGY 751
Programme: this is one of the core options for the Geology programme
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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An integrated account of aspects of advanced sedimentology from sediment source to sink. Critical examination of recent and ongoing, pure and applied, research into the dynamics of sedimentary environments and their recognition in the ancient record.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Lorna Strachan
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week, plus two 2-hour labs
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: no formal prerequisite, but knowledge of sedimentology and sedimentary processes at the level covered in GEOL 202 and/or GEOG 201 will be assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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Application of analysis techniques routinely used in engineering geology. Topics covered in this course include slope stability, rock fall assessment, landslide runout, groundwater seepage, and stresses around underground openings. Attendance is required at two half-day fieldtrips.

This course is taught in: First Semester, City Campus (S1 C)

Coordinator: Marc-Andre Brideau
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week and one 1-hour lab per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: no formal prerequisite but knowledge of engineering geology and practical methods at the level of GEOLOGY 372 will be assumed
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology and Applied Geology programmes
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This course will provide an understanding of the principals and applications of physical and chemical hydrogeology in the environment. The course is structured around understanding the conceptual linkage of groundwater to geology, and acquiring the information needed to solve these problems using analytical and numerical models.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 C)

Coordinator: Barry O'Connor
Format: one 2-hour lecture per week plus laboratories
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisites: none
Programme: this is one of the core options for both the Geology programme.
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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