ERB330 Mountain Building

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit develops the relationship between tectonics and petrology in the evolution of Earth’s crust and the formation of mountains, the most dramatic surface expression of the Earth’s dynamic nature. It provides students with an overview of plate tectonics and geodynamics, the skills needed to recognise, describe and interpret metamorphic rocks, and insights on the movement of matter through Earth’s crust and mantle. Students will explore i) modern and ancient examples of different tectonic regimes, ii) petrological, geochemical and geochronological constraints on tectonic processes, and iii) the significance of tectonics and petrology to critical societal resources, including critical minerals and those used by First Nations Australians.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Recognise metamorphic minerals and plastic deformation features using hand specimens and optical microscopy techniques
2. Apply industry practice-guided methods for description, nomenclature and classification of metamorphic rocks
3. Analyse and interpret the protolith, equilibrium assemblage and deformation history of metamorphic rocks to explain origin and evolution
4. Prepare a map, petrographic report and interpretative cross section with industry relevant digital technologies
5. Reconstruct past geological contexts using plate tectonic theory and orogenic environments.

Content

Learning Approaches

As a third year unit, you are expected to be an independent, self-directed learner and to take responsibility for your own learning. 

In this unit you will participate in integrated lectures, workshops and practical activities.

[a] Theory Lectures

This will be flipped content with short videos, audio content (podcast style) and/or selected reading material that introduces discipline-specific terminology, conceptual framework, and theoretical foundations for each week’s content.

[b] Workshops

Weekly workshops will include practical application of the new concepts developed in the flipped lectures with a collaborative approach to teaching and learning. There will be practical activities that recapitulate, deepen, and discuss the concepts presented in the flipped lectures, introduce relevant software and integrate with practical activities.

[c] Practicals

Practical exercises have two focuses: i) examination of rock samples in hand specimen and/or thin section to build skills on recognition, description and interpretation of metamorphic textures: ii) placing rock samples in tectonic context both as part of literature review of the sample location and as part of a developing a geological map.

[d] Fieldwork

The unit will include observations of metamorphic rocks in the field as part of the two-week field trip that will be co-taught with ERB331 Field Methods. The recognition and interpretation of metamorphic textures in the field are critical real-world skills.

You can expect to spend 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled lectures and practicals, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent readings to consolidate your learning.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive oral feedback based on self-assessment of your workshop and practical assignments guided by posted answer keys on a weekly basis.Oral feedback will be provided for the interviews.

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment tasks spread across the semester. There is continual assessment associated of the academic knowledge (workbook), practical and problem-solving skills (portfolio) aspects of the unit. An in-field interview assess field observations, classification and interpretations in a real world environment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Workbook

Fortnightly in class (identity verified) activities on the theoretical academic knowledge and the problem-solving exercises presented in the preceding recorded lectures and workshops. These activities will be collated electronically in a Workbook that is submitted upon completion of the task in class.

The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.

Assessment: Portfolio

Weekly practical activities building up practical skills in mineral identification, inferring metamorphic equilibrium assemblages, reconstructing petrological evolution from mineral paragneiss, applying thermobarometric modelling, tectonic associations, and petrochronology. In doing this a personalised portfolio/compendium of observations will be generated for future use.

The activities and tasks done will be done during the practical class.The tasks and activities will be assessed based on students competency, engagement and completion of requested task.

The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.

Assessment: Interview in the field

During the Mount Isa fieldtrip (or other approved activity) you will have interview(s) on your metamorphic observations, classification and, interpretations including tectonic associations.

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.

Requirements to Study

Costs

The large excursion at the end of term will incur additional costs, which might include:

(1) Transport to the research location (by car, bus, train, or airplane)

(2) Accommodation at the research location for 9 to 12 days

(3) Food for the duration of the excursion

(4) Field equipment

The exact nature and quantity of these costs depend on the location, the student numbers and some other factors changing from year to year. Sometimes, the University arranges for accommodation and/or food and/or transport. In this case, a small student contribution, usually on the order of $450 AUD, will be required. If you take ERB330 and ERB331 in the same semester, you will only have to pay the contribution for ERB331.

The unit coordinator will provide detailed logistical information throughout the course of the semester, well in advance of the excursion.

An alternative assessment will be offered to those who cannot make the excursion. 

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Bucher, K and Grapes, R (2011). Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks. Springer Science & Business Media ISBN 978-3-540-74169-5 (on-line version).

Frisch, W., Meschede, M., Blakey, R.C., 2022. Plate Tectonics: Continental Drift and Mountain Building. Springer International Publishing.

Recommended text(s)

Glazber, A.F., Kohn, M.J., 2025. Petrology and Plate Tectonics: An Earth System Approach. Oxford University Press.

Philpotts, AR (1989) Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks, New Jersey: Prentice Hall

Sanders, I (2018) Introducing Metamorphism: Dunedin Academic Press, Edinburgh UK (subject to availability in QUT Bookshop)

Yardley, B., & Warren, C. (2021). An Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108659550

Other

Virtual digital microscope hosted at QUT

Risk Assessment Statement

Practical classes are subject to relevant inductions.

Course Learning Outcomes

ST01 Bachelor of Science

1. Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
   Relates to: ULO1, Portfolio, Interview in the field
2. Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Workbook, Portfolio, Interview in the field
3. Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Portfolio
4. Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
   Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Workbook, Portfolio, Interview in the field