EARTHSCI 303 : Sedimentary Systems

Science

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An advanced course that critically examines ancient and contemporary sedimentary systems. State of the art techniques and technologies (sedimentology, geomorphology, modelling) are used to examine the physical and biological processes in freshwater and marine environments. The application of sedimentary systems in the context of Earth’s resources and the current energy transition are highlighted.

Course Overview

The erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediment through Earth surface processes has left an indelible mark on the planet.  This course uses research-led teaching to critically examine an array of modern and ancient sedimentary surface processes and settings, with environmentally indicative biota also preserved within many sedimentary deposits. We will incorporate sedimentology, facies analysis, paleontology, paleoecology, and paleoenvironmental techniques like core logging to examine the deposits of marine and freshwater environments.  A one-day class field trip to Waiheke Island to examine outcrops and fossils, and a series of related lab exercises, are used to reveal how organisms and sediments reflect paleoenvironmental change during the Miocene (20 million years ago).  Furthermore, core logging and correlation in the laboratory will allow reconstruction of the evolution of a key depositional site in the eastern Bay of Plenty.  Finally, we will focus on the application of sedimentary systems in the context of Earth’s resources and the current energy transition to a carbon neutral and carbon negative world.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop the ability to use sedimentary deposits, and their ancient counterparts, sedimentary rocks to identify sedimentary facies and reconstruct depositional settings. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Develop an appreciation of facies models and their application to a range of depositional environments. (Capability 3, 4 and 7)
  3. Be able to integrate both physical sedimentological and fossil observations to develop robust paleoenvironmental interpretations. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Develop research skills in technical report writing, including the use of literature, and presentation and interpretation of data. (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
  5. Develop an understanding of how sedimentary systems are used for current and future earth resources and the geopolitical implications of Earth Science. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 8)
  6. Gain an appreciation for how the skills learnt through this course are foundational for many earth and environmental science careers and have a pivotal role to play in the transition to a low carbon energy future. (Capability 1, 2, 5 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Field trip and report 25% Individual Coursework
Lab work - first 4 weeks 5% Individual Coursework
Core exercise 20% Individual Coursework
Video and presentation 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 30% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Field trip and report
Lab work - first 4 weeks
Core exercise
Video and presentation
Final Exam

Key Topics

The course explores 3 key themes:
1. Sedimentary Systems & Environments
2. Biological Processes within Sedimentary Systems
3. Application of Sedimentary Systems

Special Requirements

Participation in labs is compulsory.  The course has a compulsory 1-day field trip.

Tuākana

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for, and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection), and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.
Māori and Pacific students are encouraged to contact Sonia Fonua (s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz) for information about the Tuākana programme.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 150 hours in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 22 hours of lectures, 33 hours of labs, an 8-hour field trip (inclusive of travel time) and  85 hours of reading and thinking, assignments and exam preparation, and a 2-hour exam.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, labs and the field trip to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

  • Nichols, G., (2009) Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell. *A useful text written in plain English that covers basic to advanced topics*.
  • Reading (1996) Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. *A classic book in facies analysis, covering generic models and basic ideas*.
  • Other readings may be assigned in relation to lecture content and/or course assessments.

Health & Safety

Class will be briefed on saftey prior to fieldwork.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

This year the timing and weighting of assessments has been re-designed following student feedback.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.