GE306|2020

Pacific Geoscience

COURSE OUTLINE
1. SEMESTER/YEAR: 2/2020

2. MODE OF DELIVERY/LOCATION: Face to Face/Laucala Campus

3. PRE-REQUISITES: GE101 Physical Geography: Global Biophysical Environments

4. COURSE CO-ORDINATOR: Victor Ongoma, PhD

5. TEACHING TEAM

Lecturer Teaching Assistant

Name: Victor Ongoma, PhD Name: Kunal Singh
Office: Rm 6, SGESE Office: Rm 5, SGESE
Phone: 323 2467 Phone: 323 2215
Email: victor.ongoma@usp.ac.fj Email: kunal.singh@usp.ac.fj
Consultation Hours: Fri. 8:00 – 10:00 am Consultation Hours: Wed. 9 am – 11 am

6. LECTURE TIMES, PRACTICALS/TUTORIALS AND VENUES

Start 9.00am 10.00am 11.00am 12.00pm 1.00pm 2.00pm 3.00pm 4.00pm 5.00 pm 6.00pm 7.00pm

End 10.00am 11.00am 12.00pm 1.00pm 2.00pm 3.00pm 4.00pm 5.00pm 6.00 pm 7.00pm 8.00pm
Mon T1 T6
134-107A 134-107A
Tue T0 T4
134-107B 134-107B
Wed L1
136-001
Thur T2
134-107A
Fri T3 L2 T5
134-107A 136-001 134-GEO01
T – Tutorial, L – Lecture

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7. EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Name: Susan Naco (Secretary, SGESE)

Email: naco_s@usp.ac.fj
Phone: 323 2542

8. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the origin and development of the earth, its internal structures, and the evolution
of the environment. The goal of this course is to enhance students’ inderstanding of how our planet
works and why it is important to have knowledge of long-term environmental changes. This course
provisdes students with an understanding of the earth in three distincti sections. The first phase places
the modern world within a longer earth history, with focus on tectonic activities, past climatic
conditions and carbon levels. The second section introduces students to the various methodological
approaches that are used to construct environmental and climatic conditions. The final section of the
course encompasses the time in which the first variability has impacted past and present societies. The
final section will also examine anthropologenic climate change and place modern warming in a longer
perspective. A four-days field-trip within Viti Levu will form an integral part of the course.

9. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explore, know, understand and apply the theory of plate tectonics and its expression at their
locations, distribution and classification of islands and associated geomorphology in the Pacific
2. Identify, describe, explain and interpret the major plate boundaries and associated
geomorphological features.
3. Discuss, and interpret the major changes in paleoclimate and sea-level that occurred during the
Late-Quaternary, and the effects of Holocene sea-level on human settlement of the Pacific
4. Explain and appraise the evolution of karst and volcanic landscape, including the effects of
vertical movements and the importance of conservation.
5. Analyse, interpret a variety of real-world geoscientific and environmental data, and use this
information to solve geographic, geological and environmental problems.
6. Demonstrate skills in writing and presenting results in the form of a report
7. Apply field skills in the Pacific Geoscience to solve environmental problems

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10. USP GRADUATE OUTCOMES

The USP graduate outcomes are as follows:

1. Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in

structured formats using language and other modes of communication that are appropriate for
context, audience and specific disciplinary conventions.
2. Creativity: Graduates will extend boundaries of current knowledge in a particular discipline or
profession.
3. Critical thinking and quantitative reasoning: Graduates will be able to evaluate multiple
perspectives and arrive at a reasonable independent judgement based on evidence.
4. Ethics: Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to high ethical standards in scholarly,
professional and socio-cultural practices.
5. Pacific consciousness: Graduates will recognize the cultural heritage and diversity of Pacific
societies for sustainable development in a contemporary environment.
6. Professionalism: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to carry out tasks to acceptable standards
within their profession and occupations.
7. Teamwork: Graduates will work together in a respectful and collaborative manner to complete
tasks within teams to achieve an outcome.

11. COURSE CONTENT

TOPIC
1. Models of Island Formation. We will consider the theory of plate tectonics and explore the
major classes of oceanic islands, and discuss the main developmental models for each.
2. Origin and Development of Islands. Assess the processes by which oceanic islands originate on
the ocean floor and grow upwards and finally subside once their volcanic lift is over.
3. Pacific Island Types and vulnerabilities. Understanding the origin of limestone and volcanic
landscapes and the pressures they have faced in the past and looking towards the future.
4. The Quaternary (Ice Ages). Introduction and brief introduction to topics and themes will be
exploring in the field-trip.
5. History and Character of the Quatenary. We will explore what caused the Ice Ages and the
various stages in which the time period is divided.
6. Tools for Reconstructing Environmental Conditions. We will explore methods to date, the
past, biological proxies, ice cores, marine sediments and dendrochronology.
7. Human-environment interactions in prehistory. Origin and direction of settlement. Evidence
of human environmental modifications. Late Holocene climate and societal change.

12. PRESCRIBED TEXT AND OTHER RESOURCES

Nunn, P. D. 1994. Oceanic Islands. Blackwell: Oxford. ($35.00 from USP book centre)

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13. ALIGNMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES, ACTIVITIES AND ASSESSMENT

The following table demonstrates the alignment of the course learning outcomes to appropriate
activities and assessments and the links to programme and USP graduate outcomes.
Course Learning Outcome Associated Assessment Programme USP
Teaching and Outcomes Graduate
Learning Activities Outcomes
Explore, know, understand and apply the Lectures, Tutorial Tests, Lab 1 1,3,4
and Practical 1 reports
theory of plate tectonics and its
expression at their locations, distribution
and classification of islands and
associated geomorphology in the Pacific.
Identify, describe, explain and interpret Lectures, Tutorial Tests, Lab 2 1,2,3,4,5
and Practical 2 reports
the major plate boundaries and
associated geomorphological features.
Discuss, and interpret the major changes Lectures, Tutorial, Tests, Lab 3 1,2,3,4,5
Practical 3 - 5 and reports,
in paleoclimate and sea-level that Fieldtrip Fieldtrip
report
occurred during the Late-Quaternary,
and the effects of Holocene sea-level on
human settlement of the Pacific
Explain and appraise the evolution of Lectures, Tutorial, Tests, Lab 4 1,2,4,5,6
Practical 5 and reports,
karst and volcanic landscape, including Fieldtrip Fieldtrip
report
the effects of vertical movements and
the importance of conservation.
Analyse, interpret a variety of real-world Lectures, Tutorial, Tests, Lab 5 2,3,4,6,7
all Practicals and reports,
geoscientific and environmental data, Fieldtrip Fieldtrip
report
and use this information to solve
geographic, geological and
environmental problems.
Demonstrate skills in writing and Lectures, Tutorial, Tests, Lab 6 1,6,7
all Practicals and reports,
presenting results in the form of a report. Fieldtrip Fieldtrip
report

Apply field skills in the Pacific Geoscience Practical and Lab reports, 7 2,5,6,7
Fieldtrip Fieldtrip
to solve environmental problems. report

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 14. ASSESSMENT

14.1 ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO

TYPE OF WEIGHT COMMENTS LEARNING
ASSESSMENT OUTCOME
Continuous Assessment (%)
Practical exercises 25% There will be five practicals, carrying equal scores of 1, 2,3, 4, 5 & 6
5%.
Tutorial activities 10% You will be required to take part in group discussion 1,2, 3, & 4
sessions. Each activity will be posted on Moodle,
starting on the third week. These exercises will not
be repeated, so failure to complete them will result
in a loss of marks.
Mid-semester test 10% Week 7 1, 2, 3, 4, & 6
Field report and 15% Field trip Dates: 24 - 26th September 2020. The 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7
notebook notebook will be submitted on the last day of the
fieldtrip and is worth 3%. You will also write a
professional report on a given topic from the
field-trip; the report is worth 12% of your grade.
Final Examination (%)
Short answer and 40% The exam tests your individual knowledge on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &
essay material (lectures, readings and other 6
assessments) covered in the whole course.

14.2 PASSING THE UNIT

In order to be awarded a pass in this unit, students must:

 Attend at least 75% of the labs. 
 Attend at least 60% of tutorials! 
 Achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in the course. 
 Achieve at least 40% in the final exam. 
If you DO NOT comply with these criteria you are automatically deemed to have failed the course
although you will be allowed to attempt all assessments. 

14.3 GRADE DISTRIBUTION

A+ A B+ B C+ C D E
85-100 78-84 71-77 64-70 57-63 50-56 40-49 0-39

14.4 ASESSMENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

For detailed regulations, please refer to the USP Handbook and Calendar.

Plagiarism, copying materials from other sources without proper referencing and acknowledge of the
source is a serious offence and will be dealt with severely. In the Regulations Governing Academic

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Misconduct section of the USP Handbook & Calendar plagiarism is defined as “the copying of another
person’s creative work and using it as one’s own – without explicitly giving credit to the original
creator. Work copied without acknowledgement from a book, from another student’s work, from the
internet or from any other source”. If lecturer is satisfied that plagiarism has occurred, they will report
the matter to the Head of School. They can reduce marks appropriately. If the matter is seen as serious
enough it can be taken to the Student Disciplinary Committee by the Head of School.

15. IMPORTANT DATES

Activity Type Date/Week Time Room
Practical 1 Models of Island Formation Week 4 Need to sign up on Moodle
Practical 2 Origin and Development of Islands Week 6 Need to sign up on Moodle
Practical 3 Pacific Island Types and Week 8 Need to sign up on Moodle
vulnerabilities
MST Week 7
Fieldtrip The Quaternary (Ice Ages) Mid-Semester Break (24 Need to sign up on Moodle
- 26th September 2020)
Practical 4 The Quaternary (Ice Ages) Week 10 Need to sign up on Moodle
Practical 5 Tools for Reconstructing Week 12 Need to sign up on Moodle
Environmental Conditions

16. ADDITIONAL COURSE ATTENDANCE

16.1 TUTORIALS
 Tutorial sessions will be held bi-weekly, starting from week 3.

16.2 LABORATORY SESSIONS

Attendance in practicals is mandatory. Students can choose their practical sessions by signing up on
the course shell on Moodle. Please note that labs are two hours long. Students are expected to hand in
their practical notebooks at the end of every practical session. Material will be distributed in class.

16.3 ONLINE WORK

Students are expected to participate in online discussion forums relating to course
topics and complete all the online quizzes.

17. STUDENT SUPPORT

17.1 ONLINE HELP & e-Learning INFORMATION

All course materials that will be availed on Moodle, students are encouraged to print out notes well
before time and read through it at least once so that it makes sense once lectures a delivered.

All information and material will be provided on Moodle share for GE306 Course in the website:
http://elearn.usp.ac.fj. You may login using your SOLS username and password.

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Students may either call in personally or seek help via email. Any student seeking help relating to the
course via email should include the following:
From: <a valid student ID to be used>(Reason: When we send it to outside mail, spammers can get
hold of our address to send us junk mail and it is very time involving to scan through all emails)

Subject: <EE/GE306 – xxxxxxx> (This is to ensure that mail filters in my mail client is able to filter it to
the EE/MM301 course folder & I can give priority to your mail. Note we receive almost 20+ USP related
emails apart from student & personal emails!!)

Message Body: write concisely what you need to be clarified. Also include your name at the end. It is
an uncourteous gesture not to include the sender’s name.

17.2 FACULTY STUDENT LEARNING SUPPORT (SLS) SERVICES

FSTE Student Learning Specialists provide you with professional assistance for successful study and help
you develop as an independent active learner. Student Learning Support services are provided at the
Hub. The student support staff will:
 Respond to your email requests through fstetutorsupport@usp.ac.fj.
 Help you to adapt to the new environment and expectations of students at the USP.
 Have one-to-one consultations with you to discuss any challenges that you may be facing in
your studies.
 Connect you to mentors (study buddies) who will guide you and facilitate group discussions with
other students in your courses.
 Conduct special workshops to up skill and equip you for your assessments and examinations
(e.g. Literature Review, Report Writing, Presentation Skills, etc.) NB Check your student webmail
for advertisements.
 Help you unpack and understand your assignments and tutorial questions.
 Assist you with English language and mathematics basic skills.
 Provide specific assistance for students with disability.
 Assist students who have left school for some years (mature students).
 Assist students who are not performing up to par.

AT-RISK STUDENTS

Extra Help (Remedial) Sessions are compulsory for students who have demonstrated prior weak
performance. Extra Help Sessions must be taken in addition to regular tutorials, and a minimum
attendance of 60% in these sessions is required to past the course. Students who qualify for Extra Help
Sessions will be notified by the Course Coordinator prior to the 3 rd week of the semester. The purpose
of these sessions is to provide students who have struggled in the past (“C” grade or less in
prerequisite courses) by providing additional contact with teaching staff to help them succeed in the
course. The type of extra help offered in these sessions is determined by the Course Coordinator.
Qualifying students will be identified by the Faculty. Based on student marks at mid-semester, the

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Course Coordinator may require struggling students to attend Extra Help Sessions during the second
half of the semester. These sessions can include extra tutorials, workshops, peer mentoring, etc.

All FSTE SLS services are free of charge.

More details about the FSTE Student Learning Support can be found at:
Website: http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=10950
Moodle: FSTE Student Learning Support

18. EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

18.1 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Students are expected to:
 Print and READ the course notes from Moodle shell well before the lecture is scheduled to be
 delivered. 
  Attend all lecturers, tutorials and laboratory unless hampered by illness. 
 Carry out assignments individually unless otherwise stipulated within or by the lecturer in the
 class. 
 Carry out any research required for laboratory and come prepared in the lab on time with
 relevant literature to carry out experiments. 
  Maintain proper attire for the laboratory, clothing, shoes etc. 
 Facilitate the course coordinator with any proof that he/she was sick and unable to attend
classes or assessment at the earliest possible time to avoid getting a zero mark for the missed
assessment. 
 Report any damages to the equipment immediately to the technician and laboratory
 demonstrator. 
 Be responsible for any damages of USP property due to negligence (Negligence will be assessed
 by the Chief Technician(s) and the Division Coordinator(s). 
 Follow all guidelines stipulated in the School’s OHS regulations (Guidelines will be provided
during the first lab session. 

18.2 STUDENT WORKLOAD

Type Hours Comments

Lecture participation 12 Two lectures per week
Reading 45 2.5 hours reading per week from course text book and
additional reading
Practical exercises 10 5 exercises
Tutorial activities 10 5 tutorials
Assignments/Online quizzes 30 5 assignments
Fieldtrip 1 15 Coastal Survey
Mid-semester test revision 12 Study lecture and reading material
Mid-semester test 1 On first half of semester material

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 Researching and writing fieldtrip 40 Need to combine readings with fieldtrip observations
Revision for final exam 24 All course material and readings
Final exam 3 On the entire semester material
Total 220

18.3 CLASSROOM RULES

To maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to optimal learning, please follow these simple
rules:
 Arrive on time.
 Turn off your mobile phones (or keep them on silent mode).
  Do not chat with your neighbours unnecessarily.
 Avoid any disruptive behaviour.

TEACHING STAFF

The course coordinator for this course is Victor Ongoma, PhD.

21st July 2020

Signed:

Course Coordinator
Victor Ongoma, PhD

Head of School
Dr. Nicholas Rollings

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