ERB302 Applied Geophysics

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Applied geophysics provides geoscientists with the tools to investigate the generally inaccessible subsurface. These tools enable us to detect temporal and spatial changes in the physical properties of Earth. Knowledge of material properties such as density, electrical resistivity, magnetisation, elasticity and natural radioactivity is essential for the exploration of minerals, hydrocarbons and groundwater. Beyond exploration geophysical methods are used in disciplines as diverse as plate tectonics, environmental geology, engineering geology, and seismic hazard assessment.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critical Thinking judgement of the strengths and limitations of several geophysical methods and their applicability to specific exploration targets.
2. Scientific Knowledge and application of the physical properties of geo-materials.
3. Analysis of the most common geophysical methods and instruments.
4. Application of simple analytical and numerical methods to process, manipulate and interpret geophysical data.

Content

Learning Approaches

The unit will use an Intensive Mode of Delivery.
A significant amount of the unit content will be available as online resources such as video lectures and reading guides.
Week 1: 2 hours online Introduction Seminar to discuss unit structure and delivery mode.
Week 2: Total of 4 hours (in blocks of 2 hours) Workshop: Introduction to Computer Methods
Weeks 3, 5, 7 and 9: 2 hours online Seminar to discuss unit content.
Weeks 4, 6, 8 and 10: total 6 hours (in blocks of 2 hours) Workshop for problems solving tasks with integrated assessment.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback will include:
Oral formative feedback from peers and tutors on activities in workshops
Limited written feedback on problem solving tasks, where required

Assessment

Overview

All assessment contributes to your grade.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Seismic Module Workbook

A workbook containing worked examples from the seismic practical exercises and short answer questions.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Module 2 and 3 Report

A combined report from the worked exercises in modules 2 and 3, as well as short answers to questions on module 2 and 3 content.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Quiz/Test

A short answer quiz describing the content of module four and recapping previous modules.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

The unit consists of classroom-based lectures, discussions and practicals, all of which are extremely low risk activities. No significant health and safety issues are raised by this unit.