Courses & Units
Economic Geology KEA341
Introduction
Human society is highly dependent on the use of a wide range natural resources including metals. But how do Earth systems concentrate widely dispersed metals into deposits that can be economically mined? This unit explains how a wide variety of metalliferous ore deposits are formed, including the fundamental chemical and physical processes responsible for metal transport and deposition. Unit content encompasses the broader environments that engender these processes, with particular emphasis on the most economically important styles of base metal and gold deposits. Topics covered include ore forming processes, hydrothermal alteration and ore genesis of the major hydrothermal deposit types. Practical exercises using samples from many world-class ore deposits (from Tasmania, Australia and the rest of the world) enable students develop skills in mineralogy, geochemistry and paragenesis, and the interpretation of a wide variety of macro- and micro-scale textural features for a variety of ore deposit types. This unit is one of six 300-level Earth Science units available to students in the Earth Sciences major, and is highly recommended for students who intend to become professional geoscientists.
Summary
| Unit name | Economic Geology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KEA341 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
| Discipline | Earth Sciences |
| Coordinator | Professor David Cooke |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Advanced |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Describe, identify and interpret ore and alteration minerals, assemblages, associations, structures and textures at the macro- and micro-scale
- Develop and apply alteration and ore-related paragenetic sequences in studies of ore deposit genesis
- Discriminate ore systems using mineralogy, geochemistry and textural features
- Explain physical and chemical controls on metal transport and deposition in hydrothermal systems
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
KEA208 AND KEA209Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 2 x 1-hr tutorials, 1 x 3 hrs practical weekly (13 wks) |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Assessment Task 2. Ore microscopy quiz (10%)|Assessment Task 1. Economic geology practicals (20%)|Assessment Task 3. Student presentations (30%)|Assessment Task 4. Final Exam (40%) |
| 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. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
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