Geology stage III courses

GEOLOGY 301 Advance Field Geology is compulsory for all students taking a Geology major. In addition several Stage III Geology courses include their own specialised field excursions. These are compulsory and are closely integrated into the practical work of the course. You must obtain a pass in both the practical section and the written final exam to pass each course as a whole.

Please note: A BSc major in geology with the minimum requirement of 75 points at the Stage III level is not sufficient for entry into Honours. Students advancing to BSc (Hons) need to have at least 90 points at Stage III. At least 45 of these points must be from courses required by the Geology major. The other points can be from any Stage III science courses and do not have to be geology courses. Many students include Stage III courses from other Departments (Including Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics).

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

Introduction to advanced field techniques and photogeology. Students will be required to undertake a variety of field studies and produce field reports and geological maps of selected areas. This is an advanced field course that builds on the skills developed in GEOLOGY 201 and is compulsory for students intending to major in Geology. The course involves 9 days in the field. The trip involves significant time spent walking and working out of doors and this requires moderate levels of fitness. Assessment for the course is on the basis of class exercises, field maps and reports.

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

Coordinator: Lorna Strachan
Format: 8 days in the field (18 and 25 January); note: this field trip has a limit of 35 students, in the case of significantly higher enrolments, it is possible another stream may be offered, please see the course homepage for details
Points: 15
Assessment: 100% coursework
Prerequisites: GEOLOGY 201 and 30 points from GEOLOGY 202 - GEOLOGY 204

Course homepage

This course provides a basic introduction into the chemistry and physics of fluids in the shallow crust. Lecture topics on chemical aspects include fluid Inclusions, stable isotopes, fluid-mineral equilibria, phase diagrams, and geothermal systems. Lecture topics on physical aspects focus on hydrogeology, with emphasis on storage, flow and flux of groundwater, aquifer properties, well hydraulics, coastal aquifers and groundwater contamination. The main aim is to introduce concepts and methodologies used to understand the subsurface distribution and behaviour of aqueous solutions.

**This course is not being offered in 2012

This course aims to explain and illustrate the collection, analysis and interpretation of paleoenvironmental, paleontological, physical and chemical data from marine and continental sediments that have accumulated through geologic time. Students will acquire skills needed to enable them to interpret a range of paleoclimatic, paleoecologic and paleoenvironmental data, as well as gain critical insight into current understanding of environmental change and the evolutionary adaptions of organisms to these changes.

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

Coordinator: Paul Augustinus
Format: three 1 hour lectures and 2 hours of laboratories per week, plus one or two 1 day field trips
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: any 30 Points at Stage II in Geology, Geography or Biological Sciences plus an understanding equivalent to GEOLOGY 202 will be assumed
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This course provides an integrated account of the igneous and metamorphic processes that take place in the earth's upper mantle and crust. It focuses on the processes that are active in magmatic systems, the rocks that result from intrusive igneous activity, the metamorphic processes and rocks of the crust, and on the volcanic processes that occur at the earth’s surface.

This course is taught in: Second Semester, City Campus (S2 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: GEOLOGY 203
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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This course introduces the theory of plate tectonics and its application to understanding the architecture of continental plate boundaries and their evolution through time. Aspects of structural geology, geophysics and basin studies are integrated in this course to provide a strong foundation for understanding large-scale geodynamic processes.

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

Coordinator: Julie Rowland
Format: one 2 hour lecture and 2 hours of laboratories per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: GEOLOGY 204
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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This course provides an introduction to mineral deposits and environmental geology. The lecture portion provides an overview of the geologic setting and nature of metallic mineral deposits, coal, petroleum and industrial minerals. The lectures also describe the environmental impacts of mining. The laboratory work offers a "hands-on" opportunity to learn more about the materials that are discussed in the lectures. This course is essential for anyone considering a career in exploration or mining, and strongly recommended for anyone considering a career in environmental geology.
(Photo on right: Nick Wiessing)

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

Coordinator: Jeff Mauk
Format: two 1 hour lectures and 3 hours of laboratories per week; plus a one day field class
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework, 50% final examination
Preparation: GEOLOGY 301
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the methods of applied geophysics including seismic, gravity, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic, radiometric, radar and GPS. You will cover the principles and applications of these methods and gain practical experience of data acquisition, processing and interpretation. Examples of the application of geophysics to a wide variety of geological problems will be given. The emphasis of the course is on application and interpretation rather than theory. It provides a broad coverage of applied geophysics for both Geology and Physics students. About 2-3 days of fieldwork are included in the course.

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

Coordinator: Ingo Pecher
Format: two 1 hour lectures and 2 hours of laboratories per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 60% coursework (laboratories and fieldwork), 40% final examination
Prerequisites: 15 Points from GEOLOGY 204 or PHYSICS 230; note an understanding of basic maths at the level covered in MATHS 102 & basic Geology at the level covered in any Stage I course will be assumed
Timetable S1 C: Check SSO

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Introduction to fundamentals in soil and rock mechanics and their application to engineering projects. Discussion of natural hazards and their implications on infrastructure design. Practical exercises in field mapping, core logging, aerial photograph interpretation, and basic laboratory tests.

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

Coordinator: Marc-Andre Brideau
Format: three 1 hour lectures and 2 hours of laboratories per week; plus one-day field classes
Points: 15
Assessment: 50% coursework (based on field and laboratory exercises), 50% final examination
Prerequisite: Either GEOLOGY 201 or CIVIL 220
Timetable S2 C: Check SSO

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Modules selected from GEOLOGY 302-305 combined with other material relevant to the selected modules as prescribed by the Director of the School and taken either from other courses in geology or as directed special studies.

Coordinator: TBA
Points: 15
Restriction: GEOLOGY 302, GEOLOGY 303, GEOLOGY 304 and GEOLOGY 305
Prerequisite: Permission of the Director

This course comprises two parts; in solid earth geophysics aspects of the gravitational field, the rotation and figure of the earth, seismology and the internal structure of the earth, the earth's internal heat, the geomagnetic field, paleomagnetism and geodynamics are covered. In the applied geophysics part, the theory and principles of the key geophysical methods are covered. Practical work includes laboratory experiments, computer-based data processing and interpretation, and the critical assessment of geophysical data. Geology students are strongly advised to take GEOLOGY 361 in addition to this course. Courses GEOLOGY 361 and GEOPHYS 330 together provide a solid grounding in applied geophysics for both geology and physics students and are essential for students intending to further their studies in applied geophysics.

Note: this is a joint Geology - Physics course.

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

Coordinator: Barry Brennan
Format: two 1 hour lectures and 3 hours of laboratories per week
Points: 15
Assessment: 10% coursework, 40% practical, 50% final examination
Prerequisite: no formal prerequisite, but it will be assumed that students have either passed PHYSICS 213 and PHYSICS 230, plus completed 15 points in Geology; or have completed GEOLOGY 204 and either MATHS 150 or PHYSICS 111, plus another 15 points in Physics
Timetable: Check SSO

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