GEOL302 Independent Field Studies

Notices

• See field procedures relating to Health & Safety.
• See 302 Handbook 2013 March.pdf (updated march 2013) for more details about course content.

Purpose

This paper allows students to develop their ability to work independently on a field-based project. A range of geological skills are advanced, depending on the chosen project; these may be stratigraphy, mapping, facies analysis, petrography, structural analysis, geochemical or geophysical techniques. All students gain experience in library research and the report resulting from the independent project develops abilities in written communication and geological interpretation.

Content

Students choose a field-focused geological investigation in consultation with a staff member who has agreed to supervise them. The supervisor helps design the project, suggests appropriate background readings and methodologies, is available for consultation on field and laboratory work, and offers guidance on a first draft of the written report.

See 302 Handbook 2013 March.pdf (updated march 2013) for more details about course content.

Background requirements

Basic mapping, hand-specimen identification, and petrographic skills.

Teaching staff

All staff as supervisors.

Textbooks

• We recommend strongly that you buy the Geological Map of the South Island 1:1,000,000. This is sold by John Williams, Department of Geology.

• We recommend strongly that you buy:
  Coe, A. (ed.); 2010. Geological Field Techniques.  Wiley-Blackwell

• The following books are also useful:
  • Fry, N. The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks. Wiley.
  • Jerram, D. & Petford, N. The Field Description of Igneous Rocks. Wiley.
  • Lisle, R., Brabham, P & Barnes, J. Basic Geological Mapping. Wiley.
  • McClay, K.  Mapping of Geological Structures, Wiley.
  • Tucker, M.E. Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Practical Guide. Wiley.