Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

The marine realm hosts a complex set of physical and chemical processes ranging from the shallow water coastal zone, continental shelves and slopes and the deep ocean. Understanding these complex processes, and their interactions with biological systems, in a tectonic and climatic context is critical for the health of coasts and marine resources. This unit introduces students to the structure and evolution of continental shelves and ocean basins through the study of past climate, sea levels, ocean currents, and sedimentary processes. The unit emphasises the integration of geoscientific datasets including shallow seismic, multibeam, satellite, and airborne lidar to investigate marine ecosystems and depositional environments, and to reconstruct submerged paleolandscapes. The unit will also introduce various types of proxies used to in climate reconstruction, and geochronological approaches in dating geomorphic features and shallow sedimentary strata. The unit also emphasises application of modern physical processes to reconstructing Quaternary environments as well as future prediction of changes in Earth's oceans and the coastal interface.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Non-standard teaching periodUWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe how the structure and bathymetry of ocean basins controls physical and chemical processes from the coastal zone to deep ocean.; (2) gather and analyse sedimentological, paleontological, geophysical and geochemical data from modern marine environments; (3) reconstruct paleooceanographic and paleoclimatic history through integration of geoscientific datasets; and (4) communicate results, interpretations and conclusions via relevant graphical, oral and/or written summaries.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) online quizzes; (2) practical exercises; and (3) written reports. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Mick O'Leary
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
73540 Master of Petroleum Geoscience
or 71590 Master of Oceanography
Contact hours
2 x 4 hours workshops per week for 6 weeks
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.