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.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO):

Students who undertake the HPO will be required to demonstrate extended knowledge and greater depth of technical analysis and evaluation within written assessments.

• Students taking the extension-type HPO will be offered extra material on Wattle to support completion of one additional question with greater complexity within the Wattle Quizzes and one additional written question with greater complexity within each report. This will make up 5% of the written assessment.
• The HPO is open to all students. To opt-in, students must attempt all additional questions and can opt-out at any point, e.g., through subsequent non-attempts of the additional questions.
• Students undertaking the HPO will engage with LO3, LO4, and LO6 in greater depth.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe the broad-scale structure of the whole Earth.
2. Explain a range of geophysical processes that act from the Earth’s deep interior to surface.
3. Discuss how seismic waves travel through the Earth and compare how they are transmitted, reflected and refracted.
4. Appraise the theory of plate tectonics and explain its foundation in geophysical observations.
5. Explain the basic 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.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

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

Written comments and results on submitted assessment pieces via Wattle Quizzes 

Additional written comments on practicals, the 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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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.

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	Assessment 1 Due
4	Module 1 – Plate tectonics:  Lectures and one practical	Assessment 7 (part 1) Due
5	Module 2 – Earth structure:  Lectures and one practical	Assessment 2 Due; Assessment 7 (part 2) Due
6	Module 2 – Earth structure:  Lectures and one practical
7	Module 2 – Earth structure:  Lectures and one practical	Assessment 3 Due; Assessment 7 (part 3) Due
8	Module 2 – Earth structure:  Lectures and one practical
9	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical	Assessment 4 Due;
10	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical	Assessment 7 (part 4) Due
11	Module 3 - Geohazards: Lectures and one practical	Assessment 5 Due
12	Lectures and review	Assessment 6 Due; Assessment 7 (part 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9) Due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Assessment 1: Plate Tectonics Practical based assessments (12%)	12 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2, 4, 5, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 2: Plate Tectonics Practical based assessments (12%)	12 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2, 4, 5, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 3: Earth Structure Practical-based assessments (12%)	12 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1, 2, 3, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 4: Earth Structure Practical-based assessments (12%)	12 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1, 2, 3, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 5: Geohazards (12%)	12 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2, 6, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 6: Geohazards (6%)	6 %	<em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2, 6, 7</em>&nbsp;
Assessment 7: Poster Conference (total 34%)	34 %	2, 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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

Assessment 1: Plate Tectonics Practical based assessments (12%)

Plate Tectonics Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 2

Assessment 2: Plate Tectonics Practical based assessments (12%)

Plate Tectonics Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 3

Assessment 3: Earth Structure Practical-based assessments (12%)

Earth Structure Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 4

Assessment 4: Earth Structure Practical-based assessments (12%)

Earth Structure Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 5

Assessment 5: Geohazards (12%)

Geohazards Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 6

Assessment 6: Geohazards (6%)

Geohazards Practical-based assessments. Details / weightings to be discussed and agreed in lecture 1, week 1.

Assessment Task 7

Assessment 7: Poster Conference (total 34%)

Poster Example to discuss in practical in week 4 – due week 4 at 12pm (before Practical) 

Poster Topic with the primary short-format journal article – due week 5 (Practical) (2%) 

Poster Topic (possibly revised) & 2 more journal articles – due week 7 (Practical) (2%) 

Poster Design Template – due week 7 (Practical) (1%) 

Poster Submission – week 12 at 12pm on Monday (10%) 

Lightning Talk Practice + Peer-to-Peer Assessments – week 12 (Lecture 1) (2%) 

Lightning Talk – week 12 (Lecture 2) (5%) 

Poster Presentation – week 12 (Practical) (10%) 

Peer-to-Peer Assessments of Posters – week 12 at 5pm Friday (2%) 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for the Poster Submission.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned through Wattle, in hard copy for assessments, or 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 Access 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