ENVPHYS 702 : Subsurface Characterisation with Geophysical Methods

Science

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Pertains to subsurface characterisation through the inversion of geophysical observations. The course covers a combination of rock physics, seismic methods, ground-penetrating radar, as well as gravity, magnetic and electrical methods.

Course Overview

The course provides the tools to characterize the subsurface with geophysical observations. 
The course has three modules :
1)  Rock physics and petrophysics: how do we estimate the physical properties of rocks and their evolution from geophysical measurements? Case studies comprise the Alpine Fault, Whakaari, and sedimentary basins. 
2) Potential methods interpretation: what are the best interpretation strategies for potential field data (gravity and magnetics) associated with 3D geological structures?  Case studies include the Auckland Volcanic Field. 
3) Inverse problems in geophysics. Case study of karst in Auckland. 

Each module has a project where the student will be:
- Engaging with the literature and being critical of the study.
- Working on the hands-on quantitative interpretation of real geophysical datasets. 
- Understanding forward and inverse problems in geophysical data.
- Exploring a python code.

 Students are expected to know basic maths and physics.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from EARTHSCI 361, ENVPHYS 300, GEOPHYS 310 Restriction: GEOPHYS 761

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: Master of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and critically engage with literature (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  2. Gain knowledge on quantitative interpretation of geophysical data (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 7)
  3. Understand and solve forward and inverse problems in geophysics (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
  4. Explore and analyse a python code (Capability 4, 5 and 7)
  5. Prepare and deliver reports on projects for each module (Capability 1, 2 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Project Rock Physics 34% Individual Coursework
Project Potential Methods 33% Individual Coursework
Report Inverse Theory 33% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Project Rock Physics
Project Potential Methods
Report Inverse Theory

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

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.
This course is supported by our Programme Coordinator, Kaiāwhina/Māori student adviser, and Pacific student adviser. They are able to organize group study and facilitate direct assistance regarding material taught in this course. 

Special Requirements

N/A

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 2 hours of lectures and a 2-hour lab. 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 4 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures/labs to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. 

The course will not include live online events.

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.

The course requires reading of peer reviewed literature which is accessible through the University of Auckland library. 

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 course did not run as there were not enough students registered. 

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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 08/11/2023 09:07 a.m.