James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2004

Offerings
View how EA1210 is offered in 2004

(Also shows pre-requisites and inadmissible combinations if applicable)

EA1210:03

Earth Systems and Environment

Townsville

HECS Band 2

32 hours lectures, 18 hours practicals, 24 hours field work. Semester 2.

Staff:

Dr G Shields.

This subject provides an introduction to the dynamic processes and interactions that shape Earth's surface, within the framework of Earth System Science. Natural hazards involving the solid earth and geochemical cycles; global charge and its geohistorical context; processes and dynamics of regolith, hydrologic and sediment systems; effective and sustainable utilisation of Earth mineral and fuel resources. Special emphasis is placed on topics of national importance, such as threats to the Barrier Reef, land degradation, salinisation, water quality, climate change and Australian mineral resources. The subject embraces a fieldwork component and interaction with research agencies based in the region.

Learning Objectives:

to provide students with an overview of how the Earth functions as a dynamically interactive system;

to provide students with an objective analysis of current environmental issues from an Earth System Science perspective;

to equip students with the ability to recognise common regolith and sedimentary materials and appreciate the processes by which they formed;

to provide students with a foundation knowledge to support advanced-level study in the Earth Sciences.

Assessment by end-of-semester examination (40%); quizzes/tests (10%); essays (10%); practical work (40%).