EAE1022 · The Earth system: Changing environments and climates

Overview

This unit is a core unit for further studies in geosciences, climate and atmospheric science, environmental earth science, geographical science, and environmental science. We live on a constantly changing planet. In this unit, you will analyse the physical, chemical and biological processes that have shaped, and continue to shape, the surface of our planet over timescales important to ecosystems and society. This includes examining the respective roles of natural and human influences on these processes. The scientific and modelling techniques we use to understand and predict how the Earth’s natural resources are established and maintained will be explored. Further, as we move forward in a world with increasing human influences, we consider the role of sustainable management of these resources. At the completion of this unit, you will have a clear understanding of natural and human influence on the biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, pedosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.

Areas of study: Climate and atmospheric science Earth science Environmental science Geographical science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Synthesise and explain how the fundamental physical, chemical, and biological processes change the earth's surface over time, including how they affect and shape landforms, ecosystems, weather and climate.
2. Identify, evaluate and describe the relative contributions of natural and human processes to changes in the Earth's lithosphere, pedosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere and describe the implications for ecosystem productivity.
3. Analyse the natural resources required to support ecosystems, the human impact on these natural resources and ecosystems, and their sustainable management.
4. Collect and use observations to examine, visualise and map how the processes regulating the Earth System operate in the real world.
5. Describe the role of modelling for understanding how natural and human processes influence the Earth System and evaluate the utility of modelling for prediction for a variety of applications.
6. Describe the science involved in modelling future environments, based on our past and present understanding of Earth's surface processes.

Workload

Total 144 hours over 12 weeks, which includes: • Three hours of own time material including videos and activities; • Two hours of practical sessions; • One hour of workshops and • Five hours of self-directed learning per week and • One full day field trip (8 hours) and asynchronous assessment (4 hours).

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.