ERB221 Sedimentary Geology and Stratigraphy
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ERB221 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (ERB101 or ERB110) or admission to ST20 |
| Equivalent(s): | ERB203 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ERB221 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (ERB101 or ERB110) or admission to ST20 |
| Equivalent: | ERB203 |
Overview
Sedimentary rocks cover most the Earth's surface and are arranged into layers that record the planet's evolution over large periods of geological time. The study of sedimentary rocks (sedimentology) and sequences of layers in the Earth’s crust (stratigraphy) can help unravel sedimentary processes, depositional environments and the burial history of the rocks. This allows scientists to develop a detailed geological history of an area, including modern and ancient climate variations, landscape evolution and exploration for resources.
Sedimentology and stratigraphy are a fundamental part of the education of any earth scientist, and especially those who wish to be involved in energy and mineral resource exploration, water resource exploration, climate science and management and environmental geology, such as geo-sequestration of carbon, landscape remediation, soil science and investigation of extreme events (e.g., landslides, tsunami and storm surge).
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate the fundamental principles of sedimentary rock identification and stratigraphic correlation. Classify a collection of sedimentary rocks and determine the stratigraphic correlation between samples
- Analyse and evaluate ancient depositional environments as preserved in the geological record.
- Use real world examples to demonstrate the relationship between three-dimensional geological data and two dimensional maps and cross sections.
- Translate geological theory and data into professional standard reports for communication with industry.
Content
In this unit you will learn about the:
- Interpretation of ancient depositional environments based on sedimentary facies recognition, classification, occurrence, and spatial relationships.
- Relationship of facies to stratigraphy.
- Stratigraphic correlation (e.g., lithostratigraphic, chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic).
- Applications of stratigraphy to geologic mapping.
Learning Approaches
The unit combines lectures, library research, practical exercises and a field site visits to provide you with a firm theoretical knowledge base and practical experience with sedimentary rocks and depositional environments, while guiding you to individually formulate and present geological ideas and concepts.As a second year unit this unit builds upon the foundational knowledge learned in the first year of the degree.
In this unit, you are expected to take responsibility for your learning and undertake some self-directed learning to uncover answers to your questions.
Lectures: 2 hours per week for 11 weeks. Presented in class and online in a mixed synchronous and recorded format.
You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.
Practical: On campus 2 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Field trips: Day field trips to the SE Queensland area, which may involve students own transport to and from the site (public transport or private car) or bus charter if appropriate. If travel is restricted at the time of scheduled field trips, then an alternative assessment/activity will be offered. All trips will be run with strict social distancing and hygiene protocols.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Verbal and written feedback will be provided on all assessments throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment includes progressive practical laboratory activities that build skills and knowledge towards an applied fieldwork project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory/ Practical
Progressive hands on practical tasks will provide you with experience in geological observation, data recording and analysis and professional standard data reporting. Topics include:
(a) extracting and analysing relevant geological data from sedimentary rocks and stratigraphic sequences in the laboratory and field;
(b) recreating real world natural simulations in the laboratory;
(c) analysing and interpreting ancient sedimentary environments to recreate the history of past land forms, climate and geology.
These tasks will be written up as industry standard laboratory reports.
Assessment: Project (applied)
Understand, Apply and Evaluate: Point Arkwright Field trip and data collection.
- Analysing and interpreting sedimentary structures and interpret ancient depositional environments as they relate to stratigraphy;
- Construct a stratigraphic log for Point Arkwright
- Construction annotated photo journal of sedimentary structures observed in the field with a focus on the process that produced the sedimentary structures.
This field project will provide you with experience in applying your skills at outcrop scale when identifying and correlating sedimentary strata in the field.
Assessment: Report
Cabarita Field trip and data collection.
- Analysing and interpreting sedimentary structures and interpret ancient depositional environments as they relate to stratigraphy;
- Construction of a research report including stratigraphic log, annotated photos and an overall geological history for the sites visited on the Field Trip.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
All learning materials related to this unit will be made available to you in your Canvas unit site. This unit has a recommended textbook, the details of which are outlined below.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Boggs, 2011. Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (5th Edition). Prentice Hall. 688 pp.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the unit, but the field excursion will require your particular attention to university safety guidelines. Complete safety information will be provided prior to your participation.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: Project (applied) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Laboratory/ Practical
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Laboratory/ Practical, Project (applied)