GEOTHERM 603 : Geothermal Exploration

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Hydrothermal alteration, clays, fluid inclusions, direct use, subsidence, scaling and corrosion in geothermal wells, production geochemistry, environmental aspects of geothermal development, feasibility study, physical properties of rocks and self-potential (SP), magnetics, thermal methods, gravity, seismic methods, electrical methods, magneto-tellurics (MT).

Course Requirements

Corequisite: GEOTHERM 601, 602 Restriction: GEOTHERM 785

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

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of specific roles of a geologist, geochemist and geophysicist in geothermal energy exploration and development. (Capability 1)
  2. Develop an understanding of key hydrothermal alteration minerals and what they mean for geothermal energy. (Capability 1 and 2)
  3. Critically evaluate the different types of hot spring rocks in terms of fluid type and reservoir location. (Capability 2 and 3)
  4. Analyse and apply multiple hydrothermal alteration techniques. (Capability 1 and 3)
  5. Critically evaluate environmental considerations in relation to geothermal development. (Capability 6)
  6. Analyse and apply geochemistry sampling techniques. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of geochemistry key analytical methods and interpretation. (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
  8. Apply various geophysics techniques used to explore regional and local geothermal fields. (Capability 1, 2, 4 and 6)
  9. Analyse realistic data sets of geology, geochemistry, geophysics and environmental components of the course and provide plausible interpretations. (Capability 2, 4, 5 and 6)
  10. Develop field work skills by way of practical experience in the field with the four-day field trip to the Taupo Volcanic Zone area. (Capability 1, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Test 60% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Assignments
Test

Workload Expectations

This is a full-time course.

For this course, you can expect 74 hours of lectures, 26 hours of in-class tutorials/assignment support, 18 hours of study time in preparation for tests and 32 hours of field work.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials/field work and lectures to complete/receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the tests.

Health & Safety

Specific health and safety plans are submitted to the University of Auckland for approval prior to the field trips.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester 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 and respond with summaries and actions.

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

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital 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.

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.

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.

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.

Published on 12/07/2021 11:23 a.m.