This course provides an introduction to Earth Systems Science, a new field of science that investigates how chemical, physical, and biological processes interact to shape and regulate Earth’s environment. If you want to understand the science behind climate change or have been wondering to what extent current global environmental change is being forced by natural processes and human activities, this course is for you. Students from both science and non-science backgrounds are welcome. In addition, this is a foundation course for students interested in or wanting to pursue earth, marine or water sciences.
‘The Blue Planet’ will build your understanding of how each part of the Earth system - the ocean, land, atmosphere, ice sheets, and Earth’s interior - works and interacts over time. You will learn how energy and matter are transferred around and into/out of the Earth system through the water, carbon, oxygen, nutrient, geologic and solar cycles, and you will be introduced to feedback mechanisms that can amplify or dampen change. A tour of global change through Earth history is used to provide context for understanding the modern Earth, including the scientific evidence for global warming, and for predicting the future path of global warming, ocean acidification and biodiversity loss.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will
have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Use systems thinking to describe the chemical, physical and biological
processes that occur on Earth, and especially those processes that drive
large-scale environmental change
2. Explain how the past changes in Earth's environment provide a basis for scientific
understanding of human impacts on and interactions with the environment.
3. Describe how the atmosphere, the land, biology and the oceans interact and
how feedback mechanisms operate within the Earth system.
4. Work constructively both independently and collaboratively.
5. Test hypotheses and perform appropriate experiments, collect key
observations, analyse data and apply quantitative approaches to basic Earth
Systems problems.
6. Communicate effectively about Earth Systems Science issues and ideas using
language that can be understood by the public and scientists.
Other Information
There will be one one-day field trip. Students are required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the field trip; in 2016 it was $20.
Payment may be made online at ScienceShop: http://scienceshop.anu.edu.au/
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
Assessment will be based on:
- Assessment Tasks - based on lectures, workshops, reading and practicals (49%; LO 1-6)
- Field report - based on individual and group work (11%; LO 1-6)
- Quizzes - based on practicals, lectures and workshops (10%, LO 1-6)
- Exam - exam with short answer and multiple choice questions (30%; LO 1-3, 5, 6)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
65 hours of contact, comprising lectures, practicals, and field excursionRequisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings will be provided on Wattle.Preliminary Reading
Short Introduction to Climate Change (2012) by Tony Eggleton. Cambridge University Press.
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2962 | 25 Feb 2019 | 04 Mar 2019 | 31 Mar 2019 | 31 May 2019 | In Person | View |