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Understanding Planet Earth (ERTH10002)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Email: a.tosolini@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the processes governing the geological evolution of the Earth. This will be achieved via the lecture series, practical sessions and a four-day field trip, providing hands-on and theoretical investigations employing Victoria’s geology.
Initial topics covered in this subject include minerals, rocks and fossils.
The subject continues on to cover the topics of structural, metamorphic and economic aspects of our regional geology.
These studies are integrated with field case studies, during a four day field trip to collect fossils, rocks and minerals that are used to interpret the geological evolution of the region.
On completion of this subject, students should understand and be able to identify the basic components that make up planet Earth; comprehend the diversity of the rock-forming minerals, the processes by which rocks form and evolve; the use of structural geology in interpreting the relationships between rock units in time and space; the contribution of palæontology to the study of evolution; and climate change over geological time. Students should appreciate the contribution of geology to the interpretation of the history of planet Earth.
Intended learning outcomes
This subject builds upon the theoretical big picture approach of ERTH10001 The Global Environment. It provides greater depth to many of the topics introduced in ERTH10001 The Global Environment using geological studies to a gain an understanding of the evolution of the Melbourne and Victorian environment.
On completion of this subject students should appreciate how different types of data, samples and observations are integrated to interpret Earth processes. Students should also have begun to develop practical skills in the acquisition of data in the field and laboratory, essential to unravelling such processes.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to apply their discipline knowledge to issues of public debate. These include the ozone hole, the greenhouse effect and sea level rise. The subject will provide experience in presenting technical topics in written form, a skill that is useful in later work. Students will also participate in some simple collaborative projects that will enable them to develop skills for the design and completion of technical experiments. Other generic skills acquired in this subject include learning how to sharpen observation skills and how to grapple with unravelling complex processes.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EVSC10001 | The Global Environment | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Assessment of practical class exercises (10%);
- a mid-semester 2-hour practical examination (25%);
- field exercises during the mid-semester field trip (40%);
- a 1-hour written examination held in final teaching week (25%).
A pass in the practical and fieldwork components is necessary to pass the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Anne-Marie Tosolini Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week for eight weeks; 1 x three hour practical class per week for eight weeks; 4 days of field excursion during the mid-semester recess Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Email: a.tosolini@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
To be advised
Recommended texts and other resources
"Earth's Dynamic Systems", Web Edition, Hamblin and Christiansen (available online)
"Understanding Earth", 6th Edition, Grotzinger and Jordan
- Subject notes
Special Requirements: Students should consult the Earth Sciences web site for field trip dates, charges for excursions, accommodation and food, and other information including safety and behaviour requirements: http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/field-trips
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Previously known as 625-104 The Earth, Atmosphere and Oceans (prior to 2010)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Environments Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Geology Breadth Track Earth's Structure Breadth Track Geology in the field - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024