Monash University Handbook 2013 Postgraduate - Units

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 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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MGE4101 - Geology for engineers

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Dr Boyd Dent

Synopsis

This unit introduces the aspects of applied geology that are essential to provide a wide basis for understanding of later studies in engineering geology and geotechnical engineering. The unit builds from the broad science of geology into a coherent grouping of knowledge and simple skills for future practical needs like evaluating surface or in-pit stratigraphy and rock types; the likely disposition of rocks and their presentation; plus key aspects of how rock masses will weather and erode in nature. Basic principles of lithology, stratigraphy and structural geology are introduced and related to a geological map context. Building upon this base, the breakdown of rocks and sediments, erosion, landform development including simplest ideas of slope stability are introduced. This leads to an expanded consideration of rocks in an engineering context and consideration of the effects of seismicity, groundwater and rheology on rock mass performance and manipulation.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Describe faulting and folding features on a regional scale and place them in a plate tectonics perspective;

Describe four essential differences between each of the groups in the three-fold classification of rocks and broadly explain the origins of these differentiating aspects and why they are differential;

Identify the various lithologies represented on a geological map, and discuss the manner in which, and why, they are placed into formal stratigraphic relationships depicted on the map;

Discuss the role of physical and chemical weathering processes in affecting rock mass attributes and demonstrate the obvious links of these processes with slope instability;

Demonstrate the correlation of time-stratigraphic units from simple representations of stratigraphic columns, and explain the disappearance or appearance of accompanying strata;

Explain how simple landforms in temperate non-coastal areas reflect the breakdown and properties of the underlying rocks and strata;

Discuss the geomechanical properties of rock masses and particles and how they might be assessed in broad terms, and outline the performance of, and effects on, such materials as a result of seismic or groundwater interaction.

Assessment

Online tests: 30%
Practical exercises: 50%
Essay: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Boyd Dent

MGE4102 - Surface water hydrology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Professor Rae Mackay

Synopsis

Hydrology deals with the properties, distribution and effects of water on the Earth and especially the movement of water in relation to land. The unit provides students with a broad introduction to the major topics in hydrology, and a strong appreciation of the processes governing movement and storage of water across a land surface. A primary goal is to examine those processes that affect groundwater recharge and discharge. In addition to the required background knowledge of hydrology, the unit also provides students with access to and an understanding of a range of tools and techniques that can be used to quantify the movement and storage of water across all parts of the land phase of the hydrological cycle. An appreciation of the various analytical and empirical methods employed, including the errors associated with their use, is gained through practical applications. Students will be able to construct temporal water balances for an area as a basis for assessing hydrological risk.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Name and describe the main subject areas in hydrology ;

List and compare past and current methods of hydrological data collection;

Explain the processes governing the land phase movement and storage of water;

Construct and employ quantitative descriptions of those processes affecting groundwater recharge and discharge that impact excavation dewatering and ground control measures;

Employ a range of methods for interpolating point hydrological data for the assessment of water balances;

Evaluate and assess the dynamic behaviour of the hydrological cycle and its importance in assessing mining operational risks.

Assessment

Written examination: 50%
Modelling assignment: 25%
Case study assignment: 25%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rae Mackay

MGE4103 - Soil and rock mechanics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Dr Susanga Costa

Synopsis

This unit has been designed to introduce basic aspects of soil and rock mechanics to people from a non-civil engineering background. It covers all the concepts of Geoengineering at an elementary level. The unit begins with soil and rock classification and then moves into three-phase relationships and to principles of flow through porous media. Soil strength parameters will be introduced along with relevant laboratory determination methods, namely direct shear test and triaxial test.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Classify geomaterials and explain the basic processes of geoengineering;

Evaluate stresses and strengths of geoengineering materials;

Analyse one dimensional water flow through soil;

Apply soil and rock mechanics knowledge to design geoengineering structures at an elementary level;

Comprehend and communicate geoengineering information effectively through written reports.

Assessment

Practical assignments: 40%
Examination: 60%
Students must achieve a mark of at least 45% in each component (examination and continuous assessment) and an overall mark of 50% to achieve an overall pass for the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Susanga Costa

MGE4104 - Mathematical and statistical methods in geo-engineering

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Professor Rae Mackay

Synopsis

The unit is designed to develop a student's foundation mathematical and statistical knowledge and skills applicable to problems in geomechanics and geohydrology.
The foundation skills to be extended and applied to geomechanical and geohydrological problem solving through this unit are: the manipulation of algebraic equations; the use of scalars and vectors and trigonometry; the use of linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for simple problems of motion; and the application of integration and differentiation and their numerical approximations to solve ODE's either directly or by iterative methods.
This unit also covers the application in geomechanics and geohydrology of probability theory, the estimation of probability distributions from real data, linear regression and the methods of summarising or comparing real data sets using hypothesis testing and sample statistics.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

List the basic mathematical and statistical methods relevant to solving geomechanical and geohydrological problems;

Use mathematics to describe physical systems relevant to geomechanics and geohydrology;

Employ mathematical methods to analyse simple physical systems;

Employ approximate methods for the solution of geomechanics and geohydrology problems;

Describe sampled data using probability models and statistical measures;

Compare data using hypothesis testing and statistical measures.

Assessment

Practical exercises: 40%
Written examination: 60%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rae Mackay

MGE4105 - Foundation research module 1

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Professor Rae Mackay

Synopsis

The unit is designed to develop a student's knowledge in an area relevant to open cut mining. The work is student led and comprises the development of a literature review and evaluation of a specified topic that is selected from a list of topics. The topic areas are broad and allow the student to focus on issues of interest while maintaining a high level overview of the subject . Indicative topics include: subsidence and heave in mines; in-situ geomechanical monitoring; recent developments in cone penetration testing, acid mine drainage; environmental impacts from surface mining; water control in mining operations, applications of geophysics in mining exploration on mine planning, mapping rock discontinuities.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Research a topic area through a detailed literature review;

Extract and organise the key ideas and concepts uncovered by the review;

Develop a broad appreciation of the historical development of the review topic, the current state of the art, and any outstanding issues;

Present an illustrated, appropriately referenced review report summarising the findings of the literature review that provides a concise description of the topic, the history of development of the topic, the current understanding and any outstanding issues, including current research;

Develop, and present a mock up for a webpage that provides an accessible, illustrated and referenced summary of the literature review findings that is written for a general audience.

Assessment

Coursework (100%) split as follows:
Development: 10%
Report: 70%
Webpage: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Rae Mackay

MGE4106 - Foundation research module 2

6 points, SCA Band 2, 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	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Offered	Not offered in 2013
Coordinator(s)	Dr Boyd Dent

Synopsis

The unit is designed to develop a student's knowledge in an area relevant to open cut mining. The work is student led and comprises the development of a literature review and evaluation of a specified topic that is selected from a list of topics. The topic areas are broad and allow the student to focus on issues of interest while maintaining a high level overview of the subject . Indicative topics include: phytoremediation; mine-site rehabilitation soils; software in mine planning; catastrophic unloading of rock masses; hydrostatic pressure - balancing the load.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Research a topic area through a detailed literature review;

Extract and organise the key ideas and concepts uncovered by the review;

Develop a broad appreciation of the historical development of the review topic, the current state of the art, and any outstanding issues;

Present an illustrated, appropriately referenced review report summarising the findings of the literature review that provides a concise description of the topic, the history of development of the topic, the current understanding and any outstanding issues, including current research;

Develop, and present a mock up for a webpage that provides an accessible, illustrated and referenced summary of the literature review findings that is written for a general audience.

Assessment

Coursework (100%) split as follows:
Development: 10%
Report: 70%
Webpage: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Boyd Dent

SCM5100 - MSc Prelim research project

36 points, SCA Band 2, 0.750 EFTSL

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

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Offered	Sunway First semester 2013 (Day) Sunway Second semester 2013 (Day) Sunway Full year 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Gary Dykes

Synopsis

Students will undertake a supervised research project. Students will carry out a research project and present the results of their study in both written and oral form. Information about research projects will be available from the course coordinator towards the end of the preceding semester.

Outcomes

On completion of the course, students will have demonstrated a high-level of understanding of the key theoretical and practical aspects of their chosen discipline, including to:

be able to critically review the scientific literature in their specialist area of study;
understand the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a relevant research project;
be able to complete and analyse a set of laboratory-based, computer-based, field-based, theoretical or other appropriate studies;
be proficient in data acquisition, critical analysis of results, appropriate presentation, and scientific word processing;
demonstrate communication skills in both oral and written presentations to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience, including the ability to write and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way;
have acquired a range of advanced technical skills appropriate to their area of study;
have demonstrated the capability to perform a variety of scientific procedures and techniques that are essential to the satisfactory completion and reporting of a research project;
have acquired, where appropriate, sound knowledge of OHSE regulations, including hazardous and dangerous materials and risk assessments;
have developed, where appropriate, an awareness of the ethical approval processes required when working with humans or animals;
have demonstrated potential to pursue higher studies and learning in their area of study;
have gained insight into the breadth and diversity of their discipline and its place within the broader scope of science.

Assessment

Assessment will include a written thesis and oral presentation and/or oral defence. Final assessment methods and weightings will be advised by the unit coordinator prior to commencement.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Gary Dykes

Contact hours

Full year

Prerequisites

Completion of the requirements for levels one to three of the Bachelor of Science and entry into Master of Science Preliminary

Co-requisites

SCM5200

SCM5200 - MSc Prelim coursework

12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL

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

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Offered	Sunway First semester 2013 (Day) Sunway Second semester 2013 (Day) Sunway Full year 2013 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Gary Dykes

Synopsis

This unit provides advanced instruction on experimental design and data analysis and develops skills in critical thinking and examination of the scientific literature. Students will also examine appropriate Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues and learn about the ethical requirements associated with research involving humans and animals. As a part of this unit, students will convene and present a research symposium. This unit relates strongly to the Science Graduate Attributes and provides support for students wishing to develop a career in research science.

Outcomes

On completion of the unit, students:

will understand experimental design and sampling methods relevant to their research project;
can tailor research design and experimental protocols, giving consideration to available resources, occupational health, safety and environment requirements and research ethics;
can critically analyse articles from the scientific literature;
can present scientific ideas and the results of their research (orally and in writing) clearly and effectively, choosing appropriate materials and presentation styles for general and scientific audiences;
can manage their work requirements, both independently and as a member of a team;
will have demonstrated an ability to apply the University's Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental requirements appropriately within the context of their research discipline;
will have demonstrated an ability to apply the University's requirements regarding the ethics of conducting research on humans and/or animals appropriately within the context of their research discipline.

Assessment

100% assignments

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Gary Dykes

Contact hours

Approximately four hours of lectures/workshops per fortnight for 12 weeks (one semester).

Prerequisites

Completion of the requirements for levels one to three of the Bachelor of Science and entry into Master of Science Preliminary

Co-requisites

SCM5100

SRU0001 - Applied sciences postgraduate research unit