EARTHSCI 752 : Volcanoes
Science
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This is a fundamental Stage 4 Earth Science course that gives students research-based training in the study of volcanoes from a Systems perspective. The course provides Earth scientists with a skill set for investigating geologic problems including the assessment of hazards, monitoring active and dormant volcanoes, and assessing mineral and energy resources. On the theoretical side, students are introduced to the concepts of magma formation and ascent, the environmental impacts of eruptions, and the uncertain future use of finite resources. The study includes literature research on particular volcanic topics. Skills acquired include written and oral scientific communication in the form of reports and talks, at a level expected in early career job situations. Knowledge equivalent to an Earth Science major at the undergraduate level is assumed.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and explain the main processes associated with volcanism, and how they are interpreted in relation to global Earth processes (Capability 3 and 5)
- Demonstrate practical and analytical research skills based on research literature and reporting (Capability 3, 5 and 6)
- Use the principles and methods of volcanic processes to solve geologic problems such as hazard assessment and resource use in volcanic regions (Capability 4 and 5)
- Communicate effectively using appropriate language and present information clearly by writing scientific reports and performing oral presentations (Capability 6 and 8)
- Have intellectual curiosity and work autonomously to solve geologic problems and understand Earth processes on local and global scales (Capability 4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanic topic report | 18% | Individual Coursework |
| Volcano hazard report | 18% | Individual Coursework |
| Student seminar | 14% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 50% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Volcanic topic report | ||||||||||
| Volcano hazard report | ||||||||||
| Student seminar | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Special Requirements
Must complete the assignments and participate in class discussion sessions during scheduled class time.
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 (120 hours + 30 hours of final exam prep), you can expect 24 hours of seminar-based work that includes teacher and student-led instruction. Outside of these formal contact hours, you can expect to spend up to 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content (over 12 weeks); and 66 hours of work on assignments. In addition, you can spend up to 30 hours on final exam preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will may 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.
No recommended text. Literature resources (journal papers) are cited in the course.
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, 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.