Geophysics is crucial in our understanding of Earth's history, structure and physical conditions. This course will provide a practical introduction to Global Geophysics with an emphasis on Earth's internal and surface processes. Global Geophysics will bring together the structure and dynamics of the Earth in terms of processes varying on scales from the microscopic to the whole planet. Topics will include; plate tectonic theory, earthquakes, seismic waves, heat transport, mantle convection, magnetic and gravity fields, deep Earth structure, geophysical data analysis, and deformation of the solid Earth.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the broad-scale structure of the whole Earth;
2. Critically analyse a range of geophysical processes that act from the Earth’s deep interior to surface;
3. Demonstrate and advanced understanding of how waves travel through the Earth and compare how theyare transmitted, reflected and refracted;
4. Evaluate the theory of plate tectonics and explain its foundation in geophysical observations;
5. Explain the configurations of plate tectonic boundaries and their development through time;
6. Analyse geophysical data to reconstruct large-scale geological processes
7. Communicate the ideas underlying geophysical processes in an effective and accessible way.

Research-Led Teaching

There will be numerous opportunities for research-led teaching in the course, including the examination of recent research articles and reports (and their data) as part of the poster assignment, as well the opportunity for independent study through the Python exercises in the practicals. 

Recommended Resources

A list of recommended textbooks and background information will be provided in class and placed on Wattle. These will also include, but not limited to, resources on Python, presenting scientific posters and lightning talks.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

·      Written comments and results on submitted assessment pieces (practical and poster presentation and lightning talk).

·      Verbal feedback to the class, small groups or individuals. ?

• Other methods as required. 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Most practicals will include exercises that use the programming language Python. No prior knowledge of Python or coding is required, but is advantageous.

Adjustments to delivery in 2020

Course delivery and assessment in 2020 was adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any information below that replaces what was published in the Class Summary for Semester 1, 2020 was approved by the Associate Dean Education (as is required after 10% commencement of a course). Where an activity or assessment is not referenced below, it remains unchanged.

Teaching Activities

• Lectures and Practicals were done on Zoom.
• Tutorials (optional) were held via Zoom after lectures.

Assessment

Adjustments were made to assignment due dates; for details see the course Wattle site.

• Practical Exercises were done through online platforms.
• Assessment Exams were done as Wattle quizzes.
• Lightning talks and poster conference were done via Zoom.
• Peer-to-peer assessment of posters was done through “Groups” in Zoom.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
2	Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
3	Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical
4	Module 1 – Plate tectonics: Lectures and one practical	Exam on Plate Tectonics Module
5	Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
6	Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
7	Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical
8	Module 2 – Earth structure: Lectures and one practical	Exam on Earth Structure Module
9	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical
10	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical
11	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical	Exam on Geohazards Module
12	Lectures and review	Poster Conference in Practical

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Exam on Plate Tectonics Module	25 %	20/03/2020	27/03/2020	2, 4, 5, 7
Exam on Earth Structure Module	25 %	01/05/2020	08/05/2020	1, 2, 3, 7
Exam on Geohazards Module	25 %	22/05/2020	29/05/2020	2, 6, 7
Class poster presentation	25 %	28/05/2020	05/06/2020	7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in the practicals, the exams on each modules, the class poster conference in the final practical, and poster lightning talk are required.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held. Students should consult the course wattle site for the date, time and location of the exams.

Assessment Task 1

Exam on Plate Tectonics Module

In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.

The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 2

Exam on Earth Structure Module

In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.

The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 3

Exam on Geohazards Module

 In session problem solving based on material presenting in lectures and prior practicals.

The date range is an general indication of week in which the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Assessment Task 4

Class poster presentation

The poster presentation in class with comprise of a 3-minute lightning talk, creation of a conference style poster, presentation of the poster, lead and participate in discussion about your poster and your classmates' posters.

The date range is an general indication of week in which the presentation will be held. Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the presentation.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned through Wattle as annotated pdf files on request.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students