Geology stage II courses

Course GEOLOGY 201 must be taken if you are intending to major in Geology. Note that Geophysics courses GEOLOGY 361 and GEOPHYS 330 assume an understanding of basic physics or mathematics; courses from other disciplines should be taken in your first or second year. CIVIL 221 - Geomechanics l may also be included as a Stage ll course and is relevant if you have an interest in mining or engineering geology. Geomechanics l, ll and lll are essential if you wish to take the postgraduate specialisation called Applied Geology.

Students with an interest in marine science are encouraged to take Marine 202: Principles of Marine Science.

If you need advice about planning your degree, speak to our Undergraduate Student Adviser:

Dr Barry O'Connor
Building 301, room 1009
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88638
Email: b.oconnor@auckland.ac.nz

This course is field-based at Port Waikato, introducing geological mapping and field geology. The first three days cover use of the compass, recognition and tracing of rock bodies in the field, identification of fossils as mapping aids, location of faults and recording of field observations. The following four days focus on geological mapping. Students live in the local school camp and traverse the area on foot and by bus to study rocks exposed on farms, in the bush and on the coast. It is essential that appropriate equipment is brought for safety and comfort; a basic list is given in Field Geology – A Handbook of Basic Techniques and Safety Practice (a textbook for the course), and also is detailed in CECIL.

This course is taught in: Summer School, City Campus (SS C); First Semester, City Campus (S1 C) .  The summer school offering is dependent on enrollment numbers

Coordinator SS: Paul Augustinus,
Format SS: one day of lectures and a lab on January 9, plus a 7-day field trip (10 -16 January)

Coordinator S1: Kathy Campbell
Format S1: one hour lecture and 2-hour lab plus a 7-day field trip (7-13 April)

Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisite: 30 points from GEOLOGY 101, GEOLOGY 102, GEOLOGY 103, GEOLOGY 104 or GEOLOGY 110
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This course explores the development of Earth from its molten beginnings to the dynamic planet that we live on today. The course is taught in two sections, first teaching students the principles and methods used in unravelling the history of the Earth, then using these tools to examine in detail the long and complex physical and organic 4.5 billion year history of our planet. Several key geologic techniques are developed throughout the course, each considered essential for anyone considering a career in geology. These include sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, paleontology and paleoecology. The course includes a one day field trip to a local area of geologic significance.

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

Coordinator: Dr Barry O'Connor
Format: three 1-hour lectures and one 3 hour laboratory per week; plus a one day field trip
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework (labs and assignments), 50% examination and essay
Prerequisite: 15 points from GEOLOGY 101 or GEOLOGY 104
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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This course has two components. Firstly it is concerned with practical aspects of the identification and description of common minerals and rocks. Emphasis is put on the use of the petrographic microscope and hand specimen techniques. Secondly lectures will be given concerning aspects of mineral structures, the classification of rocks, the interpretation of rock textures and rock forming processes.

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

Coordinator: Ian Smith
Format: three 1-hour lectures and 3 hours of laboratories per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: 15 points from GEOLOGY 101 or GEOLOGY 103
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This course contains structural geology and geophysics. It covers methods of structural geology, analysing sequences of deformation, stress, strain, folds, faults and fractures, structure of metamorphic rocks. The geophysics portion covers an introduction to methods of applied geophysics for geological exploration, geophysics of plate boundaries and lithosphere including earthquake seismology, heat flow and deep seismic profiling.

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

Coordinator: Julie Rowland
Format: three lectures and 3 hours of laboratories per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 101 or GEOLOGY 104
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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This course takes you on a 500 million year journey through time following the geologic development of New Zealand from its humble origins as the off-scrapings of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana to its present day form as a geologically dynamic land mass beset by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and massive erosion as a consequence of its location on the edge of the Earth’s largest tectonic plate. You will also discover how this turbulent geologic history has culminated in the unique biota of the New Zealand land mass. Included in the course is a one day field trip examining the often violent geologic history of the Auckland area.

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

Coordinator: Dr Barry O'Connor
Format: two 1-hour lectures per week, plus a one day field trip
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: any 75 Points completed
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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