Australian Coal Basins

This subject is not offered in 2016.

85 hours

Knowledge of third-year geology strongly recommended.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The course provides an in-depth understanding of how and why coal basins develop, and how coal is utilised. Included in the course are location, stratigraphy and age, depositional environments, and tectonic setting of each major coal basin. Practicals involve an evaluation of coal types and rank, and how this impacts on understanding coal quality and marketing. A focus will be on how geological history impacts on coal behaviour during mining, processing and utilisation.

• This subject aims to equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise appropriate for post-graduate research in the field;
• equip students with discipline-specific knowledge and expertise enabling them to take their place as professional geologists in industry or government organisations;
• an understanding of the relationship between the formation mechanisms of coal deposits and exploration;
• an understanding of mining technologies and of the coal industry in Australia.

• A quiz on petrography equivalent to 500 words, due by the last day of the teaching period (20%)
• A poster equivalent to 500 words, due by the last day of the teaching period (20%)
• A 5-minute presentation, due by the last day of teh teaching period (10%)
• 3 equally weighted practical exercises equivalent to 1250 words, due by the last day of the teaching period (50%)

Reading expected to be completed in the pre-teaching period.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Exercise critical judgement;
• undertake rigorous and independent thinking;
• adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks;
• develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills;
• interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature;
• work as part of a team.