EA3610:03
Marine Geology and Palaeobiology
Townsville
HECS Band 2
26 hours lectures, 30 hours practicals, 8 hours fieldwork. Semester 2.
Staff: Professor R Carter, Professor R Henderson.
Generation of ocean crust and history of the ocean basins; ocean dynamics in relation to the accumulation of sediment bodies; methodologies of imaging, mapping and sampling the ocean floor; recovery, documentation and palaeoceanographic interpretation of sediment cores from the ocean floor; history of the marine biosphere.
Learning Objectives:
- appreciation of the dynamic processes involved in ocean basin formation and sediment accumulation in the context of Earth Systems science;
- understanding the techniques and technologies involved in exploring the ocean floor;
- acquisition of the observational skills and knowledge required to derive palaeoceanographic data sets and interpretation;
- knowledge and interpretation of the marine biosphere as shown by the fossil record.
Assessment by a three-hour written examination (50%); performance in practical assignments (25%); 3000 word written assignment (25%).