Categorizing student performance levels
GEOL 1002 From Petrology to Petrogenesis
Excellent is the performance expected of students gaining a First class honours (MSci) or Distinction
(MSc). Typical is the performance currently expected of students at the Lower/Upper Second class
boundary (MSci) or 60% (MSc). Threshold is the minimum performance currently required to gain an
honours degree (MSci) or masters degree (MSc).
Definitions
Intellectual skills
-knowledge and
understanding
Practical skills
Communication
skills
Numeracy and C
& IT skills
Excellent performance
To be fully familiar with
the language and
terminology to describe
physical, chemical and
mineralogical petrogentic
processes for igneous and
metamorphic rocks at the
appropriate level (1st year).
This should include a
knowledge of binary phase
diagrams, crystallisation
processes, rock
classification, distribution
of rock types within the
Earth’s crust and mantle
etc.
Able to describe and
identify the common rock
forming minerals in a
range of igneous and
metamorphic rocks. Able
to describe rocks in terms
of textures, mineralogy,
petrogenesis and ultimately
provide a name based on
these hand specimen or
thin section observations
Fully familiar with
technical language used
within this discipline
NA
Typical performance
To have a thorough
understanding of the basic
principles underlying the
classification of igneous and
metamorphic rocks as well
as the petrogenetic processes
leading to their formation
and distribution
Threshold performance
To adequately understand
the basic principles
underlying the
classification of igneous
and metamorphic rocks as
well as the petrogenetic
processes leading to their
formation and
distribution.
Able to describe and
identify the majority of rock
forming minerals in a range
of metamorphic rocks. Able
to describe textures and
mineralogu and relate these
observations to the likely
petrogenesis
Able to describe the
major rock forming
minerals and describe the
textures observed in a
range of igneous and
metamorphic rocks.
Familiar with technical
language used within this
discipline
NA
Basic knowledge of the
technical language used
within this discipline
NA