Overview
This unit combines structural geology and sedimentology through recognising, interpreting, and classifying major geological structures and sedimentary rocks. You will discuss the implications of rock structures for engineering and mining operations. You will also interpret geological field sections and maps and describe the sedimentology of terrestrial, coastal, deep and shallow marine environments. This unit will develop your software skills in Queensland Globe and CoalLog, or equivalent. You must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates and locations.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
PHYG12003 Geological Science OR ENAR12016 Earth Science.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Self reflection
To seek new resources (laboratory and field) for when students resume taking this unit.
To lobby management for new resources.
- Discuss the processes that create rock structures and the implications of rock structures to engineering and mining operations
- Interpret geological field sections and maps for the geological structures therein
- Apply different sedimentary classification schemes and conceptualise various sedimentary environments such as continental, coastal, deep and shallow marine
- Recognise and apply the principles of stratigraphy
- Develop and produce professional project reports by demonstrating an effective, professional level of teamwork and communication and support collaborative peer group learning.
These are linked to the fields of knowledge that Mineral Council of Australia para-professionals (MINAD program) are required to attain to complete a MINAD sponsored associate degree.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Group Work - 20% | |||||
| 4 - Practical and Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
Information for Textbooks is not yet available.
The textbooks have not yet been finalised.IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.hammond@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Structural Geology & Sedimentology
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Stress, Strain & Rock Deformation
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Geological Structures: Folds
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Faults & Joints
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sedimentary Processes
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Non Teaching Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Sedimentary Rocks
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Stratigraphy & Depositional Environments
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Residential School (Field Mapping & Analysis)
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Rockhampton-based Residential School from 10 to 12 September
Module/Topic
Structural Interpretation of Field Data
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Basin Analysis & Tectonic Settings
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Integration & Engineering Applications
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Synthesis & Final Assessment
Chapter
Readings available on the unit's Moodle website
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment item tests your knowledge on Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Sedimentology
Part A: (70 marks)
You are a graduate geoscientist about to undertake your first core-logging assignment. In this report, you are to:
- Describe core logging techniques for clastic and non-clastic rocks
- Apply stratigraphic principles with illustrations
- Identify common sedimentary structures and assess their engineering relevance
- Include a professional flow diagram and develop a field checklist and wallet.
Part B: (30 marks)
From Part A extract tables and figures to produce a check-list and geological field wallet that you could take out into the field with you to assess these sedimentary sequences. Ensure that you reference the source/s of this information adequately. You will require this field wallet during your Residential School. Please upload your file/s in Word format (.doc or .docx).
You will need to look beyond the reading material provided for answers. Please ensure that you only use reputable sites, for example, Government websites and professional bodies. Do cite the source/s of all external information utilized using the Harvard referencing system.
Please upload your file/s in Word (.doc or .docx) format so that we can readily open and mark the file/s with our online marking tools.
Note: Further support on writing style and referencing is provided on the Moodle site for this unit and will be discussed during weekly Zoom Tutorials.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas
Week 5 Friday (15 Aug 2025) 12:00 pm AEST
Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_ENAR12015_Assignment_1
Week 7 Friday (5 Sept 2025)
Returned electronically or via Moodle as ENAR12015 Assignment 1 Marked
- Presentation and layout i.e. the general appearance and style of the report, attention to detail and quality to provide a legible, professional looking report
- Effective written communication skills i.e. are clear, coherent and succinct that demonstrate an understanding of content
- Content. This includes the accuracy and relevance of answer, application of knowledge, language and grammar used in answering questions
- Evidence of sourcing and referencing relevant material beyond that provided in the study material
- Showing the requisite equations and using the appropriate SI units and symbols
- All steps and workings to calculations, if required, to be submitted to show how an answer was derived
- Use of “in-text citations", appropriately cited figures and tables, a complete reference or bibliographic list at the end of the assignment. All referencing is to be undertaken using the Harvard System.
- Discuss the processes that create rock structures and the implications of rock structures to engineering and mining operations
2 Written Assessment
Class members will be assigned to groups during the 3 day Residential School. Groups will utilize a range of specialist sedimentological and structural geology equipment and software to undertake laboratory and field based tasks. These tasks, along with equipment and software training, will be undertaken during the Residential School. A group submission will be required once the field and equipment derived data has been analyzed, interpreted and discussed after the laboratory and field sessions. Further details about the group-based assessment items will be provided during the start of the Residential School and placed on Moodle. Some resources, access to drill cores, equipment and field sites are still to be finalized with outside organizations and providers and is subject to availability and access during the Residential School. If for some unforeseen reason this were to become unavailable during the Residential School, the lecturer will source alternative equipment and resources. As group members you need to be able to allocate tasks to others within your group, to share and pool information and for the group to submit a cohesive, professional report. Please upload your file/s in Word (.doc or .docx) format so that we can readily open and mark the file/s with our online marking tools.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 9 Friday (19 Sept 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment name e.g. NAME_ENAR12015_Assignment 2
Week 11 Friday (3 Oct 2025)
Returned electronically or via Moodle as ENAR12015 Assignment 2 Marked
The assessment criteria will be based on:
- Presentation and layout i.e. the general appearance and style of the report, attention to detail and quality to provide a legible, professional looking report
- Effective written communication skills i.e. are clear, coherent and succinct that demonstrate an understanding of content
Content. This includes the accuracy and relevance of answer, application of knowledge, language and grammar used in answering questions - Evidence of sourcing and referencing relevant material beyond that provided in the study material
- Showing the requisite equations and using the appropriate SI units and symbols
- All steps and workings to calculations, if required, to be submitted to show how an answer was derived
- Use of “in-text citations", appropriately cited figures and tables, a complete reference or bibliographic list at the end of the assignment. All referencing is to be undertaken using the Harvard System.
No submission method provided.
- Apply different sedimentary classification schemes and conceptualise various sedimentary environments such as continental, coastal, deep and shallow marine
- Recognise and apply the principles of stratigraphy
3 Group Work
This assessment item tests your knowledge of structural geology and rock deformation. This will take the form of a series of short answers to questions, stereoscopic projections and calculations and some structural geology mapping exercises. The structural maps, stereoscopic diagrams and software can be accessed from the Moodle site.
Training in the use of stereoscopic projections, calculations and software use will be undertaken during the Residential School and during associated lectures and tutorials. Data for some exercises will be collected during the Residential School's field mapping exercises in structural geology. Data interpretation will be undertaken during weekly
Zoom Tutorial sessions. You will need to look beyond the study material provided for some answers. Please ensure that you only use reputable sites, for example Government web sites and professional bodies. Do cite the source of all external information utilized using the Harvard referencing system. Please upload your file/s in Word (.doc or .docx) format so that we can readily open and mark the file/s with our online marking tools.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 11 Friday (3 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_ENAR12015_Assignment_3
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025)
Returned electronically or via Moodle as ENAR12015 Assignment 3 Marked
The assessment criteria will be based on:
- Presentation and layout i.e. the general appearance and style of the document, attention to detail and quality to provide a legible, professional looking document
- Effective written communication skills i.e. are clear, coherent and succinct that demonstrate an understanding of content
- Content. This includes the accuracy and relevance of answer, application of knowledge, language and grammar used in answering questions
- Evidence of sourcing and referencing relevant material beyond that provided in the Study Guide and Residential School material
- Use of “in text” referencing, appropriately cited figures and tables, a complete reference or bibliographic list at the end of the assignment. All referencing is to be undertaken using the Harvard System.
No submission method provided.
- Interpret geological field sections and maps for the geological structures therein
- Recognise and apply the principles of stratigraphy
- Develop and produce professional project reports by demonstrating an effective, professional level of teamwork and communication and support collaborative peer group learning.
4 Practical and Written Assessment
This assessment item will be undertaken during the 3-day Residential School is a combination of practical and theoretical tasks based on field and laboratory measurements and observations. After data manipulation and interpretation, some aspects of which will require customized software, a formal report will need to be submitted for assessment. Details will be provided during the Residential School as well as being placed on the unit's Moodle site. This assessment item requires access to equipment and resources from external parties and is subject to availability and access during the Residential School. If for some unforeseen reason this were to become unavailable during the Residential School, the lecturer will source alternative equipment and resources.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - FULL AI
You may use Al extensively throughout your work either as you wish, or as specifically directed in your assessment. Focus on directing Al to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_ENAR12015_Individual Assignment_4
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
Returned electronically or via Moodle as ENAR12015 Assignment 4 Marked
- Presentation and layout i.e. the general appearance and style of the report, attention to detail and quality to provide a legible, professional looking report
- Effective written communication skills i.e. are clear, coherent and succinct that demonstrate an understanding of content
- Content. This includes the accuracy and relevance of answer, application of knowledge, language and grammar used in answering questions
- Evidence of sourcing and referencing relevant material beyond that provided in the study material
- Showing the requisite equations and using the appropriate SI units and symbology
- All steps and workings to calculations to be submitted to show how an answer was derived
- Use of “in-text citations", appropriately cited figures and tables, a complete reference or bibliographic list at the end of the assignment. All referencing is to be undertaken using the Harvard System.
- Interpret geological field sections and maps for the geological structures therein
- Apply different sedimentary classification schemes and conceptualise various sedimentary environments such as continental, coastal, deep and shallow marine
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
