Undergraduate - UnitESC3421 - Igneous and metamorphic processes and geochemistry

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 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 2, 0.125 EFTSL

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

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Offered	Clayton First semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Andrew Tomkins

Synopsis

This unit covers material on the petrology and geochemistry of the Earth's mantle and crust, their melting to generate silicate magmas and the emplacement of these magmas in and on the crust; also the basics of trace element and isotope geochemistry applied to the understanding of these processes. Metamorphic petrology extends the geochemical and petrological principles to understanding the formation of metamorphic rocks and using those rocks to elucidate processes in the Earth's crust.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Identify the various types of igneous and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and their occurrence, context with other rock units, and distinctive features in natural field outcrops;

Analyse the distinctive geochemical and petrographic features of igneous and metamorphic rocks;

Further their knowledge of melting and magmatic crystallisation processes within the Earth's interior and the way magmas move toward the Earth's surface;

Evaluate and constrain the geochemical sources and evolution of magmas within the silicate earth and identify their dominant controlling processes;

Understand the processes that lead to the formation of metamorphic rocks at various crystal conditions;

Understand how isotopes are used in geosciences and apply them in interpreting magmatic and metamorphic processes;

Understand the links between plate tectonics, magma genesis and regional metamorphism, and apply that understanding to interpret the evolution of different tectonic domains.

Assessment

Practical work: 30%
Practical assessments: 20%
Examination (3 Hours): 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.

Workload requirements

One 2-hour lecture and one 3-hour practical class per week

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Andrew Tomkins

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geosciences

Prerequisites

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

Prohibitions

ESC3211, EC3212