ENV1011 - Planet earth and its environment: the cosmic connection

Leader(s): Ms Marion Anderson

Offered

Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit is a core unit in the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree. Topics include: the beginning and evolution of the Universe, Solar System and Earth; planetary geology and the structure and chemistry of the Earth and other planets; geological evolution of the Earth, relative and absolute scales in geological time; plate tectonics and the structure of the Earth's crust; minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and processes; formation and evolution of life, atmosphere and oceans on the Earth and other planets during geological time, geology and the environment.

Objectives

On the completion of this unit students will be able to discuss the birth, evolution and age of the universe and solar system; describe the earth's structure and chemistry as well as some of the tools that have been used to discover them, discuss the evolution of the earth's crust over geological time; describe geologic time in relative and absolute terms; identify and describe minerals and rocks, including some of their properties; discuss some of the processes involved in sedimentation, volcanic and igneous activity and metamorphism; and describe theories on the origin and evolution of life, the atmosphere and oceans on earth.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 50%
Laboratory work, quizzes, assignments and a field excursion: 50%

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical per week

Prohibitions

ESC1011