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The Planet Earth - GEOS112

This is a unit recommended for all environmental scientists, geologists, geographers, biologists and others seeking an integrated view of the Planet Earth. The unit deals with the Earth as a dynamic system, tracing both the origins and workings of the solid earth, the atmosphere, the oceans and the biosphere. The Earth's internal structure and tectonic processes (earthquakes, volcanism and plate movements), climate systems, climate variability and change, landforms, surface processes and the role of the biosphere are investigated. Models for the genesis of life are considered and patterns of evolution and extinction are traced through fossils and other evidence. Wherever possible, interactions (for example, between landscape and climate, atmosphere and life, plate movements and landforms) are examined to develop a unified model of the global system. Special lectures are included to illustrate the human significance of the models examined.

Credit Points: 3
When Offered:

S1 Day - Session 1, North Ryde, Day

S1 External - Session 1, External (On-campus dates: Compulsory)

Staff Contact(s): Dr Kira Westaway, Professor Simon George, Dr Stuart Browning, Associate Professor Bruce Schaefer
Prerequisites:

 

Corequisites:

NCCW(s):
Unit Designation(s):

Science

Unit Type: Planet unit
Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Department of Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Course structures, including unit offerings, are subject to change.
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