Overview
Discover Earth's past, explore its present, and help shape the future; learn about dynamic processes that shape our planet. Field trips around local Zealandia - Earth's youngest, most active continent.
This paper explores the dynamic processes that shape planet Earth. A broad overview of plate tectonics, Earth structure and natural hazards is followed by lectures on Earth materials, resources and the geological history of Zealandia. Throughout the paper, emphasis is placed on examples from New Zealand. Complementary lab sessions allow students to develop a range of essential practical skills. Fieldtrips are used to explore local geology and reinforce concepts from lectures and labs. This paper complements EAOS 111 and is essential for entry into Geology 200-level core courses.
About this paper
| Paper title | Dynamic Earth: A New Zealand Perspective |
|---|---|
| Subject | Geology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,141.35 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- geology@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about GEOL112
- Teaching staff
Co-ordinator: Dr Mike Palin
Teaching Fellow: Dr Sophie Briggs
Various academic staff from the Department of Geology- Paper Structure
The paper consists of lectures, laboratories and fieldtrips. Lectures cover four key themes:
- Geological relationships
- Earth materials and rock types
- Earth resources and hazards
- Earth history and geology of Zealandia
Laboratories focus on the development of essential practical skills in Geology.
Assessment is approximately an even split between internal (ongoing during the semester) and external (final exam).
- Teaching Arrangements
Four 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour laboratory per week.
Fieldwork: Three weekend day trips to Sandymount, the Dunedin Volcano and Brighton/Fairfield. One additional field trip in lab time to visit local landslides.- Textbooks
Recommended:
- Physical Geology First University of Saskatchewan Edition (v1, January 2019). https://openpress.usask.ca/physicalgeology
- A Continent on the Move: New Zealand Geoscience into the 21st Century. Graham, Ian (Chief Editor) 2008. Geological Society of New Zealand and GNS Science, Wellington. 388Earth.
- Course outline
GEOL 112 syllabus (previous syllabus indicative of content next time the paper is taught)
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of GEOL 112 students will:
- Understand and apply fundamental geological principles to a range of problems
- Understand the impact of the geosciences in a global and societal context
- Have developed knowledge of a diversity of subjects that form core topics in the geosciences
- Have developed knowledge of the geological and tectonic history of Zealandia
- Be able to analyse and creatively integrate diverse geological datasets
- Be able to identify and classify basic geological materials, including rocks, minerals, fossils, structures and landforms
- Be able to interpret and create topographic and geological maps at a proficient level
- Have an understanding of the principles of geological fieldwork and how fieldwork is carried out in a safe and socially acceptable manner
Timetable
Overview
Discover Earth's past, explore its present, and help shape the future; learn about dynamic processes that shape our planet. Field trips around local Zealandia - Earth's youngest, most active continent.
This paper introduces geological reasoning applied to current environmental and resource challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and natural hazards. To understand how Earth and humanity will respond to these challenges, we must look to past periods of global change captured by the geological record. Integrated field and laboratory investigations are used to inform understanding of the spatial and temporal scales of Earth processes, and the ways in which they shape Earth and our lives. This paper serves as an essential foundation for all natural and environmental sciences, and anyone wanting to make informed decisions about Earth and its resources.
About this paper
| Paper title | Dynamic Earth: A New Zealand Perspective |
|---|---|
| Subject | Geology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,173.30 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Schedule C
- Science
- Contact
- geology@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about GEOL112
- Teaching staff
Paper Coordinator: Dr Sophie Briggs
Various academic staff from the Department of Geology- Teaching Arrangements
Three 50-minute lectures and one 3-hour lab per week.
Three weekend full-day field trips are required (choice of Saturday or Sunday).
- Textbooks
Recommended:
- Physical Geology First University of Saskatchewan Edition (v1, January 2019). https://openpress.usask.ca/physicalgeology
- A Continent on the Move: New Zealand Geoscience into the 21st Century. Graham, Ian (Chief Editor) 2008. Geological Society of New Zealand and GNS Science, Wellington. 388Earth.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
After completing this paper you will be able to:
- Work with authentic spatial and temporal Earth science data from a variety of sources to generate and evaluate multiple working hypotheses
- Reconstruct past Earth processes using field observations and interpretations of the geologic record
- Integrate active Earth processes and geologic records of the past to make predictions about the future