Understanding Planet Earth

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours

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Students who have received credit for 625-102 Understanding Planet Earth (prior to 2008) may not enrol in this subject for credit.

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. Hhttp://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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.

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.

Assessment of practical class exercises (10%); a mid-semester 2-hour practical examination (25%); field exercises during the mid-semester field trip (40%); a written report of up to 1000 words due at the end of the semester (25%).

A pass in the practical and fieldwork components is necessary to pass the subject.

To be advised

"Earth's Dynamic Systems", Web Edition, Hamblin and Christiansen (available online)

"Understanding Earth", 6th Edition, Grotzinger and Jordan

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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.

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)