CQUniversity Unit Profile
PHYG12003 Geological Science
Geological Science
All details in this unit profile for PHYG12003 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 24-04-20

The residential school has been postponed.
• The practical exam has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.
• The end of term examination has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.
• Assessments 3 and 4, associated with the residential school, have been postponed.


General Information

Overview

To provide the student with a knowledge of the structure, composition and mode of formation of the common rocks and materials. Students will also gain knowledge of the geological processes which sculptured the earth since its formation. On completion of the unit, the student will be able to define and identify the more common rock types, describe the processes which form them, and relate these processes to each other within the context of the unifying theory of Geology: Plate Tectonics. It is intended to develop some of the themes briefly developed in the first-year science unit, Applications of Environmental Science (ENVR 11012). While not a prerequisite, it would be advantageous to have completed this unit.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 15%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Group Work
Weighting: 10%
4. Written Assessment
Weighting: 15%
5. Examination
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Verbal feedback from students

Feedback

Students highly value our residential school with laboratory and field work components that test their theoretical skills learnt during the term.

Recommendation

To continue offering a Residential School with laboratory and field work components.

Feedback from Verbal feedback from students

Feedback

This unit met and exceeded expectations viz acquiring knowledge in a new field, Geological Science.

Recommendation

To continue to upgrade and make this unit relevant to students undertaking this unit, esp. those in the workforce.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Define and identify the more common rock types.
  2. Describe the processes which form them.
  3. Relate these processes to each other within the context of the unifying theory of Geology: Plate Tectonics.

The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Written Assessment - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 20%
3 - Group Work - 10%
4 - Written Assessment - 15%
5 - Examination - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 20%
3 - Group Work - 10%
4 - Written Assessment - 15%
5 - Examination - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Rocks and Landscapes of the National Parks of Central Queensland

(2006)
Authors: Willmott, W
Geological Society of Australia
Brisbane Brisbane , Qld , Australia
ISBN: 975789449
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies are available for purchase at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

Other references will be provided on Moodle.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Google Earth Pro
  • Zoom capacity (web cam and microphone)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Hammond Unit Coordinator
a.hammond@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

  • Lecture 1a: Introduction to Planet Earth & Tectonics
  • Lecture 1b: Rock Forming Minerals

Chapter

  • Study Guide Modules 1 & 2
  • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters 1 & 2; Appendices B & D

Events and Submissions/Topic

  • Practical 1: Rock-Forming Minerals
  • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

  • Lecture 2a: Introduction to Planet Earth & Tectonics
  • Lecture 2b: Rock Forming Minerals

Chapter

  • Study Guide Modules 1 & 2
  • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters 1 & 2; Appendices B & D

Events and Submissions/Topic

  • Practical 2: Rock-Forming Minerals Continued
  • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

  • Lecture 3a: Intrusive Igneous Rocks & Processes
  • Lecture 3b: Extrusive Igneous Rocks & Processes

Chapter

  • Study Guide Module 3
  • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters 3 & 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

  • Practical 3: Igneous Rocks
  • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

  • Lecture 4a: Weathering & Sedimentary Rocks
  • Lecture 4b: Sedimentary Rocks

Chapter

  • Study Guide Modules 4 & 5
  • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters 5 & 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

  • Practical 4: Sedimentary Rocks & Soils.
  • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

  • Lecture 5a: Metamorphism & Metamorphic Rocks
  • Lecture 5b: Metamorphism & Metamorphic Rocks

Chapter

  • Study Guide Module 6
  • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapter 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

  • Practical 5: Metamorphic Rocks
  • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session



    Assignment 1: Field Guide to your local geology Due: Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2020) 12:00 pm AEST
    Vacation Week - Non Teaching Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

    Module/Topic

    Chapter

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 6a: Earth Structures - Folds, Faults & Fabrics
    • Lecture 6b: Earth Structures - Folds, Faults & Fabrics

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Module 7
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapter 9

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Practical 6: Introduction to Geological Maps & Structures
    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

    Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Compulsory Residential School & Field Trips (28 April to 01 May)
    • Non lecture week

    Chapter

    • Textbook (Willmott): Chapter 1

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    Compulsory Residential School

    • Distance Education students: 28 April to 01 May (Please note that FULL DAY attendance is required each day to PASS this unit.
    • Internal (ROK) Students: 30 April & 01 May only if there are >10 enrolled INTERNAL (ROK) STUDENTS. If <10 internal (ROK) students, the residential school will be run over full 4 days with the Distance Education students i.e. 28 April to 01 May. Please note that FULL DAY attendance is required each day of the Residential School to PASS this unit.
    • Practical Exam during Residential School



    Practical Examination Due: Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
    Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 7a: Stratigraphy - Dating Techniques & Geological Time
    • Lecture 7b: Stratigraphy - Dating Techniques & Geological Time

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Module 8
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapter 8

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

    Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 8a: Weathering & Soil/Regolith Formation
    • Lecture 8b: Weathering & Soil/Regolith Formation

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Module 4
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapter 5

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session


    Field Mapping Group Work Due: Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020) 12:00 pm AEST
    Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 9a: Groundwater
    • Lecture 9b: Glaciers & Ice Ages

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Modules 9 & 10
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters 16 & 17.
    • Habermehl reference in Course Resources Online (CRO)

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session
    Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 10a: Glaciers & Ice Ages
    • Lecture 10b: Earth Resources

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Modules 10 & 11
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapters, 17 & 20

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session
    Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

    Module/Topic

    • Lecture 11a: Earth Resources
    • Lecture 11b: Course Summary & Review

    Chapter

    • Study Guide Module 11
    • Textbook (Chernicoff & Whitney): Chapter 20

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session

    Individual Residential School Field Trip Report Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 12:00 pm AEST
    Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

    Module/Topic

    Chapter

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Weekly Zoom Tutorial Session


    Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

    Module/Topic

    Chapter

    Events and Submissions/Topic

    • Theory Examination to be undertaken during the Exam Week
    Assessment Tasks

    1 Written Assessment

    Assessment Title
    Assignment 1: Field Guide to your local geology

    Task Description

    This assessment is designed to test and apply your newly acquired rock and mineral identification skills in the real world i.e. the field situation, to source site specific geological information and to hone your scientific report writing skills. The aim is to synthesize this information and to produce a high quality geological field guide.

    Scenario

    You have been asked by your local Rotary Club, as the “geological expert”, to lead a field trip that will look at some geological features of interest in your local area. You are to produce a “Geological Field Guide” for participants.

    This exercise may require some fieldwork within your local area.

    HINT: Undertake an internet search to glean ideas from existing field guides in the published literature e.g. Australian Geological Society and other professional society field guides.

    Further support material for this assessment task will be posted on Moodle along with some Exemplars. We will also discuss this assessment item during the weekly in-class and on-line Zoom Tutorials and in Moodle Forums and Posts.


    Assessment Due Date

    Week 5 Thursday (9 Apr 2020) 12:00 pm AEST

    Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_PHYG12003_Assignment No. or TITLE


    Return Date to Students

    Week 6 Thursday (23 Apr 2020)

    Assignments will be returned within a fortnight once all have been submitted for assessment


    Weighting
    15%

    Minimum mark or grade
    To pass this course you must obtain a minimum of 40% for this assessment item and must obtain an overall passing grade (50% or greater) for ALL assessment items.

    Assessment Criteria

    You will be assessed on your ability to write a well researched, succinctly written and well illustrated scientific document. Please view the unit's Moodle site for the assessment criteria rubric associated with this assessment item. Carefully read the details outlined in the assessment criteria rubric, ensuring you think about how to address all the assessment criteria outlined in the rubric before commencing the assessment item. Prior to finalizing your submission ensure that you check to see that you have addressed all of the assessment criteria outlined in the rubric.

    Further discussion about your topic and the assessment criteria will be undertaken via in-class and online Zoom Tutorials, Moodle Forums and Posts.


    Referencing Style

    Submission
    Online

    Submission Instructions
    Please use the upload link on Moodle for online electronic assignment submission as a MICROSOFT WORD or PDF document. It is expected that you will adopt the file-naming protocol indicated on the Moodle site and for it to be followed as it is indicated. It is important that you do this as your individual file is one of many and replicating the correct file-naming protocol reduces the chances of omissions, losses and errors.

    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • Define and identify the more common rock types.
    • Describe the processes which form them.
    • Relate these processes to each other within the context of the unifying theory of Geology: Plate Tectonics.


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Information Literacy
    • Information Technology Competence
    • Cross Cultural Competence
    • Ethical practice

    2 Practical Assessment

    Assessment Title
    Practical Examination

    Task Description

    The Practical Examination (1.5 hour duration plus 5 minutes reading time) will test your mineral and rock identification skills and your geological map interpretation skills.

    Distance Education students will undertake their Practical Examination during the second day (afternoon) of their Residential School. Distance Education students please bring your rock and mineral kits to the Residential School as we will be going over (revising) the practicals already attempted each week prior to the Residential School. If you have not attempted ALL of your practicals prior to the Residential School you will find it extremely difficult to pass your Practical Examination.

    Internal (ROK) students will undertake their Practical Examination during week 7 (time and venue to be advised in Moodle) if there are > 10 internally enrolled (ROK) students. If there are < 10 internally enrolled (ROK) students, these students will undertake the full 4 day Residential School ALONG WITH the Distance Education students and will undertake their Practical Examination ALONG WITH the Distance Education students.


    Assessment Due Date

    Week 7 Wednesday (29 Apr 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

    Distance education students will undertake a Practical Exam on Wednesday 29 April during the Residential School. Internal (ROK) students will undertake their Practical Exam during week 7 if there are greater than 10 students enrolled, time and venue to be advised on Moodle and during lectures. Otherwise, internal (ROK) students will undertake their Practical Exam along with the Distance Education students during the Residential School period.


    Return Date to Students

    Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020)

    Practical Exam marks will be posted on Moodle within a fortnight once all have been submitted for assessment.


    Weighting
    20%

    Minimum mark or grade
    To pass this course you must obtain a minimum of 40% for this assessment item and must obtain an overall passing grade (50% or greater) for ALL assessment items.

    Assessment Criteria

    You (individually) will be assessed on your:

    • Ability to identify hand specimens of the more common rock-forming minerals by applying your newly acquired knowledge of their diagnostic properties and the key tests used in their characterisation.
    • Ability to classify igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
    • Ability to interpret simple geological structures, geological successions and timing from geological and topographical maps
    • Ability to read a geological map to make resource and environmental management decisions
    • Ability to draw geological cross-sections
    • Ability to operate some commonly used geological equipment e.g. geological compass, global positioning system, hand lens, tablet with geological software.


    Referencing Style

    Submission
    Offline

    Submission Instructions
    The Practical Examination will be conducted in a Practical Room where the examination paper and geological samples will be distributed.

    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • Define and identify the more common rock types.


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Information Literacy
    • Ethical practice

    3 Group Work

    Assessment Title
    Field Mapping Group Work

    Task Description

    This assessment item is designed to test the recently acquired rock and mineral identification, classification and mapping skills of small groups of students (Group Work) in the natural setting, the field. The Group Work will take the form of a simple geological field mapping exercise (transects) over a defined geographic area using some basic geological instruments and software. The operation of these instruments and software will be demonstrated at the onset of the mapping exercise during the Residential School.

    Further details pertaining to the mapping tasks will be demonstrated to the combined cohort of Internal (ROK) and Distance students during the field trip component of the Residential School (30 April to 01 May). Each Group are to submit a combined or group report online for assessment via Moodle. It will take the form of a short written report, which includes maps, photos and field sketches.

    The type and nature of field mapping activities to be conducted is dependent upon a number of variables, namely weather conditions and accessibility to geo-sites on the day. Consequently, some changes to tasks may need to be made on the day/s of the field trip.


    Assessment Due Date

    Week 9 Friday (15 May 2020) 12:00 pm AEST

    Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_PHYG12003_Assignment No. or TITLE


    Return Date to Students

    Week 11 Friday (29 May 2020)

    Assignments will be returned within a fortnight once all have been submitted for assessment


    Weighting
    10%

    Minimum mark or grade
    To pass this course you must obtain a minimum of 40% for this assessment item and must obtain an overall passing grade (50% or greater) for ALL assessment items.

    Assessment Criteria

    Each group will be assessed on it's ability to:

    • Conduct a simple geological mapping exercise in the field by utilizing some basic geological tools e.g. geological compass, hand lens, an aerial base map, global positioning system, tablet with geological software, etc.
    • Identify and classify the rocks and minerals observed at the delegated field mapping site/s
    • Produce a geological map and cross sections based on the group's field observations and measurements
    • Unravel the stratigraphic succession (rock record and history ) at the designated field site/s and to relate this to Plate Tectonics theory.

    Please note that some aspects of these criteria may be altered on the day due to unforeseen circumstances i.e. inclement weather conditions, tidal conditions, accessibility of geo-sites or other factors.


    Referencing Style

    Submission
    Online Group

    Submission Instructions
    Please use the upload link on Moodle for online electronic assignment submission of your Group Work as a MICROSOFT WORD or PDF document. It is expected that you will adopt the file-naming protocol indicated on the Moodle site and for it to be followed as it is indicated. It is important that you do this as your individual file is one of many and replicating the correct file-naming protocol reduces the chances of omissions, losses and errors.

    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • Define and identify the more common rock types.
    • Describe the processes which form them.
    • Relate these processes to each other within the context of the unifying theory of Geology: Plate Tectonics.


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Information Literacy
    • Team Work
    • Cross Cultural Competence
    • Ethical practice

    4 Written Assessment

    Assessment Title
    Individual Residential School Field Trip Report

    Task Description

    During the course of 2 days of field work (30 April to 01 May) during the Residential School a number of sites of geological interest in the Rockhampton area will be visited. At each of these geo-sites you will be asked to make notes on the rocks and minerals encountered, their geological ages, the geological features observed and to take photographs and GPS positions for your records. This information will be recorded on Digital Tablets, CQU to provide, as well as in field notebooks.

    The objective of this assessment item is for you (individually) to relate your field observations to the major geological events that have occurred in central Queensland i.e. relate these geosites to the central Queensland stratigraphic column of geological events in (see page 6 in Willmott, your text book). You will need to relate the rocks and landforms you encountered during your field work to their corresponding geological time periods. These, in turn, are to be related to geological events. This field information is to be placed into your field report, which each member of the class is to submit i.e it's an individual assessment item.

    Further details as to the tasks to be performed at each of the field sites visited will be outlined during the onset of the Residential School and during the duration of the field trips. Tasks may alter on the days/s due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. inclement weather conditions, accessibility to geo-sites etc. Instructions on the use of Field Tablets and other geological equipment and software will be provided both prior to and during the 2 days of field work.


    Assessment Due Date

    Week 12 Friday (5 June 2020) 12:00 pm AEST

    Submit electronically via Moodle with your name, unit code and assignment number i.e. NAME_PYG12003_Assignment No. or TITLE


    Return Date to Students

    Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)

    Assignments will be returned within a fortnight once all have been submitted for assessment


    Weighting
    15%

    Minimum mark or grade
    To pass this course you must obtain a minimum of 40% for this assessment item and must obtain an overall passing grade (50% or greater) for ALL assessment items.

    Assessment Criteria

    This assessment item is to take the form of a Field Report. Marks will be awarded for:

    • Adequacy and accuracy of field descriptions
    • Neatness and clarity of field sketches, photos and maps
    • Ability to present a coherent and logical geological sequence of events and the ability to place these within the prevailing plate tectonic model.
    • General presentation and layout of the report
    • Readability and grammar
    • Use and adequacy of referencing.

    Note: this assessment item will be discussed further during Moodle forums and tutorials both prior to and after the conclusion of the residential school field trips.


    Referencing Style

    Submission
    Online

    Submission Instructions
    Please use the upload link on Moodle for online electronic assignment submission as a MS WORD or PDF document. It is expected that you will adopt the file-naming protocol indicated on the Moodle site and for it to be followed as it is indicated. It is important that you do this as your individual file is one of many and replicating the correct file-naming protocol reduces the chances of omissions, losses and errors.

    Learning Outcomes Assessed
    • Define and identify the more common rock types.
    • Describe the processes which form them.
    • Relate these processes to each other within the context of the unifying theory of Geology: Plate Tectonics.


    Graduate Attributes
    • Communication
    • Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Information Literacy
    • Information Technology Competence
    • Cross Cultural Competence
    • Ethical practice

    Examination

    Outline
    Complete an invigilated examination

    Date
    During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

    Weighting
    40%

    Length
    120 minutes

    Minimum mark or grade
    The minimum percentage of examintion marks to pass this unit is 50%

    Exam Conditions
    Closed Book

    Materials
    Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
    Academic Integrity Statement

    As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

    Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

    When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

    Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

    As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

    What is a breach of academic integrity?

    A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

    Why is academic integrity important?

    A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

    Where can I get assistance?

    For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

    What can you do to act with integrity?