School of Environment
Barry O'Connor
Job title: Professional Teaching Fellow
Phone: 64 9 373 7599 x 88638
Office: Bldg 301 Rm 1009
Postal: School of Environment, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland.
Email: b.oconnor@auckland.ac.nz
TBA
Teaching
As Senior Tutor the bulk of my time is devoted to teaching, both in practical laboratories and lectures. I am involved with all levels of teaching within the department, from Stage 1 through to graduate level, and assist with supervising Masters thesis students. I also assist
in teaching a second year civil engineering course introducing geology to engineers. I teach a range of subjects including structure, mapping, rocks and minerals, paleontology, engineering geology and hydrogeology. Other duties include organisation of departmental contributions to university events, e.g. Incredible Science and Courses and Careers Day, and care of this web site.
One of my key teaching interests is developing distance learning material, enabling students virtual access to material which is normally only viewable during laboratory sessions. As these laboratory sessions are a prelude to assessment by practical examinations, many students are disadvantaged by the lack of access to laboratory materials outside of laboratory hours. I recently led the development of a resource aimed at our Stage 1 rock and mineral course component. Among other things, students can review material seen in the laboratory over the internet via the use of high quality images of good rock and mineral specimens. Click HERE to view this resource.
In past years my research was mostly concentrated on Radiolaria (see publications). I studied all aspects of mainly Southwest Pacific radiolarian faunas of Cenozoic age, including taxonomy, biostratigraphy, paleooceanography and paleoclimate. I intend, when time allows, to continue my research into this fascinating group of microfossils. I am also keenly interested in imaging techniques, with emphasis on microfossils.
Click on the image below for a full-sized version of the poster
Engineering Geology/Hydrogeology
Prior to coming to work for the University I was employed for 4 years as an engineering geologist for a large engineering consultant in New Zealand. I worked on a variety of projects in both the engineering geological and hydrogeological fields. Projects included: initial site investigations for the new University of Auckland Business School building; installation of the monitoring system, monitoring ground and groundwater conditions, and construction monitoring during the construction of the Britomart Rail Station; investigation of the tunnel alignment for the new Timaru Main Sewer Trunk Line; investigation and development of groundwater for town supply to the Western Bay of Plenty. It is this practical experience that I bring to much of my teaching.
Students' View
The following are a selection of pictures created or taken by students I have taught (who shall remain anonymous):
O'CONNOR, B.M., 2001. Buryella (Radiolaria, Artostrobiidae) from DSDP Site 208 and ODP Site 1121. Micropaleontology, 47(1):1-22.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 2000. Stratigraphic and geographic distribution of recently described Eocene - Miocene Radiolaria from the southwest Pacific. Micropaleontology, 46(3):189-228.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1999a. Distribution and biostratigraphy of latest Eocene to latest Oligocene Radiolaria from the Mahurangi Limestone, Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 42(4):489-511.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1999b. Radiolaria from the Late Eocene Oamaru Diatomite, South Island, New Zealand. Micropaleontology, 45(1):1-55.
O'CONNOR, B.M. and AITA, Y., 1999c. A new, stratigraphically important species of Buryella (Radiolaria) from DSDP Site 208. Abstracts with Programs, The 148th Regular Meeting, The Paleontological Society of Japan (June 26, 27, 1999, Sanda). p.34.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1997a. Lower Miocene Radiolaria from Te Kopua Point, Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand. Micropaleontology, 43(2):101-128.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1997b. New Radiolaria from the Oligocene and Early Miocene of New Zealand. Micropaleontology, 43(1):63-100.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1996. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy: a new technique for investigating and illustrating fossil Radiolaria. Micropaleontology, 42(4):395-402.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1995a. Confocal scanning laser microscopy and its use in the investigation and illustration of fossil Radiolaria. Geological Society of New Zealand 1995 Annual Conference, Programme and Abstracts. Geological Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication, 81A:160.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1994a. Radiolaria from the Mahurangi Limestone, Northland, New Zealand. Geological Society of New Zealand, Newsletter, 105:49-50.
O'CONNOR, B.M., 1994b. Seven new radiolarian species from the Oligocene of New Zealand. Micropaleontology, 40:337-350.
HOLLIS, C.J. and O'CONNOR, B.M., 1994c. Diachronous occurrences of radiolarian index species in the Paleogene of New Zealand. Geological Society of New Zealand 1994 Annual Conference, Programme and Abstracts. Geological Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication, 80A:89.
HOLLIS, C.J. and O'CONNOR, B.M., 1994d. Studies of Paleogene Radiolaria in New Zealand. Organising Committee of Interrad VII. Abstracts Interrad VII, Osaka, 20-24th October 1994. p.50.
