Earth System Science (8101.3)

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, 3^rd 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.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

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).

• Semester 2, 2021, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (202119)
• Semester 2, 2020, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (195632)
• Semester 2, 2019, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (185376)
• Semester 2, 2018, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (182138)