EA3800 - Earth and Environmental Geochemistry

Credit points:	03
Year:	2005
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

The subject involves the application of chemistry principles to solve problems related to the understanding of our Earth and environment. Broad topics include the origin of the Earth and solar system, the distribution of elements in minerals, rocks, soil and water, common reactions on the surface of the Earth, the deposition of mineral deposits, the global cycling of elements, the evolution of the Earth and oceans. Specific examples of subjects covered are nucleosynthesis and the iron core of the Earth, ionic substitution in crystals and fluorinated water, radiometric dating of meteorites and the age of the Earth, redox reactions and acid sulphate soil formation, origin of photosynthesis and banded iron deposition, regolith formation in tropical environments, supergene processes and copper mineralisation, stable isotope fractionation and glacial-interglacial transitions, chemical variation of the ocean and the evolution of life, the fate of fossil fuel emissions to the atmosphere, pollution traces in the environment, chemistry and ethics of waste disposal.

Learning Outcomes

• to develop an appreciation and understanding of our Earth and environment from a chemical and quantitative perspective;
• to provide the means of intelligently viewing current Earth and environmental issues with scientific methods.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Prerequisites:

Level 1 earth science or chemistry subjects recommended

Availabilities
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 31-Mar-2005
Coordinator:	jc134750
Lecturers:	jc122313, jc134750.
Contact hours:	33 hours 30 hours
Assessment:	(40%); (10%); (10%); (25%); (15%).
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 31-Mar-2005
Coordinator:	jc134750
Lecturers:	jc122313, jc134750.
Contact hours:	33 hours 30 hours
Assessment:	(40%); (10%); (10%); (25%); (15%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.