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Dangerous Earth (ERTH20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
An introduction to the study of natural hazards on the Earth, at various different spatial and temporal scales, their impact on human populations and principles of planning, response and mitigation. The course will cover hazards of geological and meteorological origin, as well as major global catastrophes such as those that may be produced by climate change. Topics to be covered include: Earthquakes and their consequences; Tsunamis and other coastal hazards; Volcanoes and volcanic eruptions; Land instability and mass movements; Flooding and flood hazards, Drought and bushfire hazards; Tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and tornadoes; Climate change and its implications for human populations; Managing and reducing the risks from natural hazards. At the end of this subject, students will have acquired: an understanding of the nature and causes of natural hazards, their distribution and predictability; a knowledge of how natural disasters impact on human populations and activities, and the kinds of responses that are possible; an appreciation of what can be done to manage and minimise the dangers posed by natural disasters.
Intended learning outcomes
The subject aims to introduce students to the nature and causes of various natural hazards, and to consider ways in which these impact on human populations, as well as how, through appropriate planning and management strategies, these effects can be understood, predicted, avoided and mitigated. The subject maintains a balance between understanding the phenomena involved and managing their effects.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject students should be able to:
- analyse and interpret natural phenomena
- critically evaluate responses to actual disasters
- assess appropriate strategies for dealing with natural disasters
- research complex events in an interdisciplinary context
- contribute constructively to group projects
- understand basic principles of risk analysis
- communicate results of their work to a wider group
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ERTH10002 | Understanding Planet Earth | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ENVS10001 | Natural Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Group and individual assignments | During the teaching period | 50% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Januka Attanayake Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x two hour practical workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Donald Hyndman and David Hyndman, Natural Hazards and Disasters, 2nd Edition Brooks/Cole 2009, or 3rd Edition 2011
- Subject notes
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.
Students undertaking this subject will be expected to access online information about natural disasters. Appropriate IT facilities are widely available on campus in existing work spaces.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Geology Informal specialisation Physical Geography Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Environmental Science Major Physical Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Geology Breadth Track Climate and Water Breadth Track Living in Australia's Hazardous Ecosystems Breadth Track Understanding Disasters, Their Management and Planning - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024