Program Overview

GEOS2915: Oceans, Coasts and Climate Change (Adv)

Unit Description

This unit has the same objectives as GEOS2115 and is suitable for students who wish to pursue aspects of the subject in greater depth. Entry is restricted and selection is made from the applicants on the basis of their performance to date. Students who elect to take this unit will participate in alternatives to some aspects of the standard unit and will be required to pursue independent work to meet unit objectives.

Unit Details and Rules

• Managing faculty or University school: Science
• Study level: Undergraduate
• Academic unit: Geosciences Academic Operations
• Credit points: 6

Enrolment Rules

• Prerequisites: A mark of 75 or above in GEOL1501 or GEOS1902 or GEOS1X01 or GEOS1X03 or BIOL1XXX or ENVI1003
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: GEOS2115
• Assumed knowledge: GEOG1001 or GEOL1001 or GEOL1002 or GEOS1003 or GEOS1903 or ENVI1002 or GEOL1902 or GEOL1501

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

• Understand the characteristics of the ocean basins, plate boundaries and continental margins
• Differentiate between different types of marine sediments and sedimentary resources
• Interpret sedimentary core data in a paleo-oceanographic context
• Understand the basic components of Earth’s climate and ocean system and their geological record
• Understand major extinctions in Earth's history and their causes
• Understand long-term sea level change and its causes
• Be able to use GIS-type applications
• Understand what drives coral reef growth and demise
• Understand coastal processes
• Understand Earth's climate extremes and their causes
• Understand the greenhouse effect and its impact on Earth’s energy budget
• Understand the ocean’s role in transient climate change
• Understand major climate feedback processes
• Understand the ocean’s general circulation
• Understand the impacts of climate change on regional scales in the past and for future climate

Unit Availability

This unit is available in the following sessions:

• Semester 1 2025: Normal day, Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
• Semester 1 2026: Normal day, Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney
• Previous years: Various sessions and locations available, including remote options.