EAE3032 · Geophysical interpretations in geoscience, geography and environmental science

Overview

This unit focuses on processing and interpretation of geophysical datasets to prepare you for employment beyond your degree. The use of geophysical datasets to assist in understanding Earth systems and the Earth sub-surface is a desired skill for many geoscience career paths. This unit will provide an understanding of the key concepts of collection and processing of geophysical datasets and how to use this knowledge to develop key skills in interpreting geophysical data for geology, geography or environmental science applications. The material in the unit will cover methods for collection and processing data, strategies to interpret the geophysical data, with an emphasis on regional gravity and magnetic data, radiometric data, and electromagnetic datasets. These data will be interpreted in the context of geological, geographical and environmental problems. The workshops will provide you with hands on experience in visualising and interpreting data for a variety of applications and relevant problems. These will provide you with the skills set to complete a major project.

Areas of study: Earth science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate the basic physical principles of several geophysical methods;
2. Understand how geophysical datasets are collected and processed so they can be interpreted by expert geoscientist and environmental scientists;
3. Demonstrate the use of geophysics to assist society achieve the United Nations Sustainability Goals for 2030;
4. Undertake an interpretation of multiple geophysical datasets to solve complex geological, geographical and environmental problems related to the subsurface of the Earth;
5. Integrate large and multiple datasets to resolve geological, geographical and environmental problems;
6. Complete a multi week project and communicate major findings via a map, oral presentation and a written report;
7. Develop decision making skills based on data that provides ambiguous solution;
8. Assess confidence levels, uncertainty, extrapolation of surface observations to the subsurface, and develop rapid 3D visualisation skills.

Workload

• One 1-hour lecture; • Two 2-hours workshops and • Seven hours of independent study per week

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.