Program Overview
Earth and Environmental Sciences
The Earth and Environmental Sciences program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's systems and processes. This topic discusses the complex web of interacting cycles, processes, and systems that make up our environment.
Overview
The program begins with the origins of the Universe, Big Bang Theory, formation of the solar system, and the planets within it. It discusses the ways in which planet Earth is unique in comparison and examines the timeline of life on Earth, including discussion on the dinosaurs and their extinction, as well as other fossil evidence found in geologic records. The program also covers the basic geology that underpins the Earth's make up, including rocks, minerals, and plate tectonics, and introduces the concept of a 'restless' earth through examples such as earthquakes, volcanoes, avalanches, landslides, floods, and storm surges.
Aims
The program aims to:
- Provide an overview of the processes that lead to the formation of the planet Earth and its evolution throughout time
- Describe our planetary environment and the governing cycles and processes that control its behavior
- Describe the processes and phenomena that directly affect the nature and behavior of the "solid" Earth, including rock and mineral formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes
- Describe the natural hydrologic processes that control the occurrence, movement, and distribution of water on the Earth in both groundwater and surface water environments
- Provide students with an appreciation of the critical role water plays in shaping the land surface through discussions on river flows, floods, and other natural disasters, and its critical role in present-day environmental pollution and management problems
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this program, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the unifying principles and processes that are critical in understanding both the evolution and behavior of the planet Earth, with particular focus on aspects relating to geology, geophysics, and hydrology
- Have a capacity for critical thinking
- Develop both quantitative and qualitative problem-solving skills
Assessments
Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing, and current students should refer to the relevant resources for detailed assessment information, including due dates.
Assumed Knowledge
SACE Stage 2 (Year 12) Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry or equivalent is desirable.
Program Details
- College: College of Science and Engineering
- Unit value: 4.5
- Grading mode: Graded