Overview
Geology 501: Quaternary Geology acquaints you with methods used to extract information on Quaternary environmental change from geological proxy records. The Quaternary Period refers to the last circa 2.6 million years of earth’s history. It is a geological period characterized by fluctuation in global climate between ice ages and warmer periods. GEOL 501 examines external and internal forces (relative to the earth) that act as causative agents for climate variations, as well as the earth’s response patterns to climate changes. In particular, you will be introduced to the role played by surface processes and materials as archives of environmental change. Accordingly, you will become familiar with techniques employed in reconstructing environmental changes through the use of proxy data. The use of dating techniques to establish temporal scales for the geological processes will also be highlighted.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- reflect on the causative agents of climate variations during the Quaternary period.
- assess geomorphological evidence and methods that can be used to reconstruct Quaternary environments.
- critique methods and evidence used to reconstruct Quaternary environments from lithological records.
- review the role played by aquatic evidence in reconstructing paleoenvironments.
- assess the role played by biological evidence of terrestrial origin in Quaternary studies.
- evaluate how to extract biological evidence of aquatic origin in Quaternary studies.
- deconstruct the principles and applications of radioisotopic methods used in Quaternary studies.
- review the principles and applications of non-radiogenic dating methods.
- validate stratigraphic principles used in Quaternary geology.
- reflect on the records that can be used to describe the glacial and interglacial cycles of the Quaternary.
Evaluation
To receive credit for GEOL 501, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least B– (70 percent) and a grade of at least B– (70 percent) on each assignment, the midterm paper, and the final examination.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Midterm paper | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 10% |
| Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Assignment 5 | 10% |
| Final exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Lowe, J. J., & Walker, M. J. C. (2014). Reconstructing Quaternary environments (3rd ed.). Taylor & Francis.