Courses & Units
Earth's Surface KEA208
Compulsory 5 day excursion in the week before the start of semester.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered about the tale that can be told by a grain of sand? Or why some volcanoes erupt violently and others effusively? Learn how to unlock the secrets held in minerals and rocks in KEA208. After an introduction to Earth Sciences in KEA101 and KEA102, this unit offers you the opportunity to delve further into geological processes that occur at and near the Earth’s surface. There is a particular emphasis on the minerals and processes that form sedimentary and volcanic rocks. You will also be introduced to the petrographic microscope as a means of identifying and studying Earth materials at the microscale and to remote sensing as a means of mapping and interpreting the geology and geological history of the Earth's surface. This 12.5% unit also includes a five-day pre-semester trip on the scenic east coast of Tasmania, which provides an opportunity to hone your geological field skills.
Summary
Unit name | Earth's Surface |
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Unit code | KEA208 |
Credit points | 12.5 |
College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
Discipline | Earth Sciences |
Coordinator | Professor Sebastien Meffre |
Available as an elective? | Yes |
Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
Level | Intermediate |
Availability
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.
Key Dates
Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
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Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Identify minerals, mineral groups and textures in rocks formed at and near the Earth’s surface from their optical and physical properties in order to classify and differentiate rock types
- Deduce the formation processes and settings for a range of sedimentary and volcanic rocks based on their mineralogy and texture
- Appraise geoscientific information and surface/near-surface geological processes at a range of scales
Fee Information
The 2024 Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) rates are still being finalised by the Government and we will update the domestic fee information as soon as we have more details.
Requisites
Prerequisites
KEA101 AND KEA102Teaching
Teaching Pattern | Online pre-recorded lectures (2hrs per week), 12 x 3-hr lab work weekly throughout semester 1, 5 days of field work before semester 1 |
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Assessment | Excursion Report (10%)|Field Trip (15%)|Quizzes (15%)|Final exam (30%)|Practicals (30%) |
Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
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Recommended | Recommended text for excursion: | Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.