EARTHSCI 399 : Capstone: Earth Sciences

Science

2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Conducting an Earth Science investigation involving a range of skills, as practised in research and industry careers. Students will undertake an independent research project involving field, desktop and/or laboratory work, and communicate the results in written and oral formats. Skills gained include ability to design a research project, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative Earth Science data, and research communication.

Course Overview

This capstone course in Earth Science provides students with an opportunity to apply a range of skills, as practiced in research and industry careers. Students will undertake an independent research project utilising stratigraphy, sedimentology and paleoecology at Waiheke Island which involves field, desktop and laboratory work, and results will be conveyed in written and oral formats. Skills mastered include ability to plan a research project, collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative Earth Science data, and research communication. This paleoenvironmental analysis will be undertaken through both individual and group activities to demonstrate collaborative skills and independent research capabilities.

For details contact the Course Coordinator, Prof Kathy Campbell: ka.campbell@auckland.ac.nz

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage III in Earth Sciences

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe and explain key Earth Science processes, and how they are interpreted in relation to local and global scale phenomena (Capability 1)
  2. Demonstrate practical and analytical research skills based on field and laboratory observations of Earth Science phenomena (Capability 2)
  3. Use the principles and methods of Earth Science to solve pure and applied problems (Capability 3)
  4. Communicate effectively using appropriate language and convey information clearly by recording field and laboratory observations, and by written and oral presentation of results and interpretations (Capability 4)
  5. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and work autonomously and in groups (Capability 5)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural and environmental issues as they apply to the planning and execution of scientific investigations and their impact on society and resource utilisation (Capability 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research Planning 20% Individual Coursework
Report 60% Individual Coursework
Summary 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Research Planning
Report
Summary

Tuākana

The School of Environment (ENV) Tuākana Programme focuses on encouraging Māori and Pacific students to achieve their full academic potential. Māori and Pacific students are encouraged to contact Sonia Fonua (s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz) or Kimoro Taiepa (kimoro.taiepa@auckland.ac.nz) for information about the Tuākana programme.

Special Requirements

None

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. 

For this course, you can expect 10 hours of field work, a 30 hours of tutorials, 50 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 60 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including field/labs/tutorials to complete components of the course. 

Additional resources will be available online.   

The course will not include live online events such as group discussions/tutorials. 

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.

No recommended text. Literature resources are cited in the course and will be made available if required.

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.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/10/2021 07:17 p.m.