Undergraduate - UnitESC3411 - Sediments, basins and resources

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Offered	Clayton First semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Fabio Capitanio

Synopsis

Sediments: will deal with sediments from a global to microscopic scale, examining the main types of clastic and chemical sediments, their provenance and influences on their mode and environment of deposition. Basins: will examine the variety of sedimentary basins, how they develop and fill, and include aspects of seismic interpretation, well logging and subsidence histories. Resources: will study the generation and accumulation of hydrocarbons and the formation of coal deposits.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will have a knowledge of: the different types of sedimentary basins and how they are filled; the main types of clastic and chemical sediments, how they are derived and the influences on their accumulation; what different sediments look like in natural field outcrops, and how sedimentary features can be used to determine depositional environments and stratigraphic sequences; the basic principles of seismic interpretation and well logging and how different stratigraphic and structural features can be recognised; the principles of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation; environments in which peat accumulates and the formation of coal deposits; preparation of reports based on field observation, laboratory exercises and personal research.

Assessment

Practical work: 30%
Field work: 20%
Test (3 hours - theory and practical): 50%

Students must pass the theory examination to achieve an overall pass grade. Students who do not pass the theory examination will receive a mark of 45% unless their aggregate mark is lower, in which case that mark will be recorded.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Fabio Capitanio

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 3-hour practical class each week, and one day field excursion

Prerequisites

ESC2111 and ESC2122, or by permission from the Head of School

Prohibitions

ESC3211, ESC3241