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Understanding Planet Earth (ERTH10002)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
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 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
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 three-day field trip, providing hands-on and theoretical investigations employing Victoria’s geology.
Initial topics covered in this subject include: evolution and structure of the Earth, wandering continents, mineral and crystal formation in rocks and ores, rock-forming processes, origin of magmas, volcanoes and lava flows, deep crustal rocks, mountain belts, sedimentary layers, terrestrial and marine depositional environments, crustal deformation, and the fossil record including major events such as extinction and explosions of life. The subject continues on to cover the economic aspects of our regional geology.
These studies are integrated with field case studies, during a three-day field trip to collect fossils, rocks and minerals that are used to interpret the geological evolution of the region.
This subject builds upon the theoretical big picture approach of EVSC10001- The Global Environment. It provides greater depth to many of the topics introduced using geological studies to a gain an understanding of the evolution of the Melbourne and Victorian environment.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- describe the solid Earth and modern physical structure
- describe the materials that comprise the solid Earth and processes of rock formation
- explain rock structures and deformation processes
- describe fossils and explain past evolution of life, environments and climates
- apply and integrate different types of data, samples and observations to interpret Earth processes
- develop practical skills in the acquisition of data in the field and laboratory, essential to explaining Earth processes
- describe Earth resources, formation and uses in society
- explain the evolution of the Melbourne, Victorian and Australian environment
- Identify the basic components that make up planet Earth;
- Discuss the diversity of the rock-forming minerals and processes by which rocks form and evolve;
- Apply structural geology when interpreting the relationships between rock units in time and space;
- Explain climate change over geological time and the contribution of geology to the interpretation of the history of planet Earth.
- Define how different types of data, samples and observations are integrated to interpret Earth processes.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have obtained the following generic skills:
- Time-Management skills: the ability to meet regular deadlines while balancing competing commitments
- Think critically: organise observations of complex systems occurring in the Earth and analyse within different frameworks
- Problem-solving skills: the ability to engage with unfamiliar problems and identify relevant solution strategies
- Scientific skills: to design and test hypotheses
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 |
---|---|---|---|
EVSC10001 | The Global Environment | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - 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.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Three in-class practical exercises
| From Week 4 to Week 8 | 15% |
3-day field trip (1,000 word written assignment) due at the conclusion of the trip, to be held during the mid-semester break
| Mid semester | 20% |
A practical examination
| Week 12 | 20% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 45% |
Hurdle requirement: It is a hurdle requirement that students attend a minimum of 80% of laboratory practicals, attend the field trip, and pass both the practical and theory examinations to be eligible to pass the subject. | N/A |
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Anne-Marie Tosolini Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour lectures per week for eleven weeks; 1 x three hour practical class per week for twelve weeks; 3 days of field excursion during the mid-semester recess Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 August 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Email: a.tosolini@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
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
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc.
- Incidental costs
3-day field trip
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Environments Informal specialisation Elective subjects for B-BMED Major Geology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Breadth Track Geology in the field Breadth Track Earth's Structure - 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 (Production)
- 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