Sedimentary Basins & Geophysical techniques (ERTH3105)

Course overview

The course covers the formation and analysis of sedimentary basins and how geophysical techniques can be applied to explore the subsurface. Sedimentary basins host many mineral, energy, and water resources, and are currently being explored as reservoirs for carbon dioxide sequestration to mitigate the effects of climate change. This course includes an overview of sedimentary basin formation and fill processes and how basins are shaped by tectonic forces. Planned activities include weekly practicals where you will learn to interpret wireline logs and seismic data and two afternoon field trips to locations around Brisbane, and a 5-day field trip during the mid-semester break where you will gain hands-on experience measuring and interpreting outcrop and core materials. This course is highly relevant to students interested in careers in geology, hydrogeology, climate science, oceanography, and mining or geological engineering.

This course covers advanced topics in sedimentary geology, including basin formation, basin fill processes, facies analysis, and the use of geophysical techniques to visualize and explore basin fill sequences. The focus of the course is on the entire depositional system and basin fill architecture, rather than identifying individual rocks and environments.ﾠ The course is hands on, and will include two day trip practicals to look at outcrop and drill core, as well as a 5 day field trip to the Bowen Basin in Central Queensland during the mid-semester break. Course activities and practicals will explore the tectonic environments of basins, sequence stratigraphy, downhole logging, and geophysical techniques for rock characterization. We will also discuss the natural resources found within basins, such as groundwater, energy, and sedimentary ore deposits. This course is of benefit to geologists, marine and environmental scientists, and engineers.

Attendance at the field trip is mandatory. If you do not attend, you will be unable to complete the required assessment items or meet the course learning outcomes. Because the field trip occurs after the Census date, students who cannot attend due to exceptional circumstances must apply for a Removal of Course.

Course requirements

Assumed background

ERTH2003, or an equivalent course in sedimentary geology (ie, geomorphology, marine geology, coastal processes, etc).

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ERTH1000 and ERTH2003

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ERTH3100

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

The in-semester break field trip will run 7-11 April 2026 and is estimated to cost $400.

Aims and outcomes

Sedimentary Basins & Geophysical Techniques provides an advanced course for undergraduates focused on the evolution of sedimentary basins, which are host to a variety of mineral, energy, and groundwater resources. The course combines advanced concepts in sedimentology and stratigraphy with the geophyscial techniques used to analyze subsurface environments. This course aims to be of broad interest to all Earth Science students, and will be particularly important for students pursuing careers in groundwater resources, hydrogeology, petroleum and mining.   

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Practical Write ups

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

60%

Due date

Week 2 practical task: Due in class week 3 - 11/03/2026 3:00 pm

Week 3 practical task: Due in class week 4 - 18/03/2026 3:00 pm

Week 4 practical task: Due in class week 5 - 25/03/2026 3:00 pm

Week 5 practical task: Due in class week 6 - 1/04/2026 3:00 pm

Week 6 practical task: Due in class week 7 - 15/04/2026 3:00 pm

Week 7 practical task: Due in class week 8 - 22/04/2026 3:00 pm

Week 8 practical task: Due in class week 9 - 29/04/2026 3:00 pm

Week 9 practical task: Due in class week 10 - 6/05/2026 3:00 pm

Week 10 practical task: Due in class week 11 - 13/05/2026 3:00 pm

Week 11 practical task: Due in class week 12 - 20/05/2026 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Field notes from Bowen Basin Trip

Mode

Written

Category

Notebook/ Logbook

Weight

5%

Due date

24/04/2026 5:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Field Report- Bowen Basin

• Hurdle

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

35%

Due date

29/05/2026 12:00 pm

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdle

In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):

You must obtain 50% or more on the Field Report- Bowen Basin assessment.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment.

Refer to the link above for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met. Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.

For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension

For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184

• Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Reading materials will be posted in Blackboard. There is no required textbook for this course.

Additional costs

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.