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Overview

Completion of an independent geoscience research project

This paper allows students to develop their ability to work independently on a research project. A range of geological and transferable skills may be advanced, depending on the chosen project.
All students gain experience in literature research and report writing.
GEOL302 (or GEOL304) is a required paper for the BSc degree in Geology.

About this paper

Paper title Independent Project
Subject Geology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Full Year (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,318.20
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
72 200-level points from Science Schedule C including GEOL 251 and GEOL 252
Pre or Corequisite
GEOL 344
Restriction
GEOL 304
Schedule C
Science
Notes
(i) Students enrolled at the University of Otago for both semesters in a single year must enrol in GEOL 302 instead of GEOL 304. (ii)Students must be prepared to attend field trips outside of regular semester time.
Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Dr Sophie Briggs

All Geology staff are supervisors.

Paper Structure

Students choose a research project 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.

Teaching Arrangements
Some formal meetings will be scheduled around Health and Safety and other logistics. Students conduct their own independent fieldwork.
Textbooks

Recommended:

  • Edbrooke, S.W.; Heron, D.W.; Forsyth, P.J.; Jongens, R. (compilers) 2015 Geological map of New Zealand 1:1 000 000. Lower Hutt, N.Z.: GNS Science. GNS Science geological map 2.
    (2 maps (also available as a free web map service at http://data.gns.cri.nz/geology/)
  • Coe, A. (ed.); 2010. Geological Field Techniques. Wiley-Blackwell
  • 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.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
This paper is intended to develop a range of geological skills, including some of stratigraphy, mapping, structural geometry, facies analysis, petrography and library research. The report resulting from the independent project develops abilities in written communication and geological interpretation.
Assessment details

Assessment is 100% internal. There is no final exam. The final research project and associated work are assessed.

Overview

Completion of an independent geoscience research project

This paper allows students to develop their ability to work independently on a research project. A range of geological and transferable skills may be advanced, depending on the chosen project.

All students gain experience in literature research and report writing.

GEOL 302 (or GEOL 304) is a required paper for a BSc degree in Geology.

About this paper

Paper title Independent Project
Subject Geology
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Full Year (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
72 200-level points from Science Schedule C including GEOL 251 and GEOL 252
Pre or Corequisite
GEOL 344
Restriction
GEOL 304
Schedule C
Science
Notes
(i) Students enrolled at the University of Otago for both semesters in a single year must enrol in GEOL 302 instead of GEOL 304. (ii)Students must be prepared to attend field trips outside of regular semester time.
Contact

geology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Co-ordinator: Dr Sophie Briggs

All Geology staff are supervisors.

Paper Structure

Students choose a research project 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.

Teaching Arrangements

Some formal meetings will be scheduled around Health and Safety and other logistics. Students conduct their own independent fieldwork.

Textbooks

Recommended:

  • Edbrooke, S.W., Heron, D.W., Forsyth, P.J., & Jongens, R. (compilers). (2015). Geological map of New Zealand 1:1 000 000. Lower Hutt, New Zealand: GNS Science. GNS Science geological map 2.
    (Two maps; also available as a free web map service at https://data.gns.cri.nz/geology/.)
  • Coe, A.L. (Ed.). (2010). Geological Field Techniques. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Fry, N. (1991). The Field Description of Metamorphic Rocks. Wiley.
  • Jerram, D., & Petford, N. (2011). The Field Description of Igneous Rocks (2nd ed.). Wiley.
  • Lisle, R., Brabham, P., & Barnes, J. (2011). Basic Geological Mapping (5th ed.). Wiley.
  • McClay, K.R. (1991). The Mapping of Geological Structures. Wiley.
  • Tucker, M.E. (2011). Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Practical Guide (4th ed.). Wiley.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

This paper is intended to develop a range of geological skills, including some of stratigraphy, mapping, structural geometry, facies analysis, petrography and library research. The report resulting from the independent project develops abilities in written communication and geological interpretation.

Assessment details

Assessment is 100% internal. There is no final exam. The final research project and associated work are assessed.

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