Earth System Science (8101.3)
Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
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View teaching periods | ||
EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
Academic Program Area - Science | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. A basic understanding of the Earth as an holistic system;
2. Knowledge of the main components of the Earth system and their interactions;
3. An appreciation of the implications of human interaction with the Earth system for sustainable management of the planet; and
4. Acquired skills in inquiry-based learning.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
Prerequisites
NoneCorequisites
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
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Required texts
Prescribed text: None
Recommended reading:
Given the limited time we have available in a semester, we can't get across the full gamut of processes and materials across the entire planet. Hence we've taken a ‘spotlight' approach to the subject organisation and tried to provide a few in depth examples of how systems understanding can help introduce the subject and the problems that can arise.
However, it is in your interest to read broadly the fundamental processes and elements of the earth system. This is especially the case if you haven't taken Earth or Environment subjects before. Fortunately, there are a range of excellent textbook resources available that introduce these topics at an appropriate level – a few include:
The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science, Brian J. Skinner, Barbara W. Murck. 2010. 3rd Edition ISBN: 978-0-471-23643-6
The Australian Physical Environment, Bridgman, Dragovich and Dodson, 2008. Oxford University Press.
The Earth System, Kump, Kasting and Crane, 3rd Edition 2010, Prentice Hall.
For the atmospheric component we recommend the following as a very readable addition – it's out of print and hard to get hold of, but there are several copies in the library.
The Complete Book of Australian Weather, Whitaker, R., 2010. Allen and Unwin, 175 pp
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Please ensure that you number the pages of all your submitted materials.
Responsibility for understanding
If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit convenor or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.
Special assessment requirements
The final mark for this unit will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. To achieve a passing grade or higher students must achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
There are 34 hours of contact over the semester in lectures, tutorials, practicals and field trips. Students are expected to make up the remaining 116 hours of required workload for the unit through class preparation, reading and report research and preparation.
Participation requirements
Your participation in both class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content. Participation in practicals and field classes is a fundamentally linked to your ability to produce quality responses to the unit assessment, especially the reports and the presentations.
Required IT skills
Ability to access and use the Internet.
Word processing (Microsoft Word or similar); Spreadsheets (e.g. Excel) and presentations (e.g. Powerpoint).
This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.
In-unit costs
none
Work placement, internships or practicums
Learning in this unit will be integrally linked to experiences in professional contexts
Additional information
Students are required to take responsibility and due care for their own safety and that of others during all outdoor activities. No dangerous items will be permitted on field trips.
In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit convenor is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).