This course provides an introduction to Earth Systems Science, a field of science that investigates how chemical, physical, and biological processes interact to shape and regulate Earth’s environment. To understand the science behind climate change or the extent current global environmental change is being forced by natural processes and human activities, one should understand the Earth System. 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 atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere - works and interacts over time. You will learn how energy and matter are transferred around 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's history is used to provide context for understanding the modern Earth, including the scientific evidence for global warming. Methods for predicting the future path of global warming and its detrimental effects will be examined. A field trip and practicals provide opportunities for learning via direct observation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- 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
- Explain how the past changes in Earth's environment provide a basis for scientific understanding of human impacts on and interactions with the environment.
- Describe how the atmosphere, the land, biology and the oceans interact and how feedback mechanisms operate within the Earth system.
- Work constructively both independently and collaboratively.
- Test hypotheses and perform appropriate experiments, collect key observations, analyse data and apply quantitative approaches to basic Earth Systems problems.
- Communicate effectively about Earth Systems Science issues and ideas using language that can be understood by the public and scientists.
Other Information
This course contains a field trip. For details see the published class summary. Students are required to pay a contribution of towards the cost of the trip of ~$30.
Payment may be made online at Science Shop: https://scienceshop.anu.edu.au/
Indicative Assessment
- Practicals (32) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Field Trip Written Assignment (10) [LO 2,3,4,5,6]
- Major Assignment (28) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Final Theory Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- The course delivery component consists of 1x 1 hour lecture (face-to-face/recorded), 1 x 2 hour practical (face-to-face), plus 1 x 2 hour workshop per week (face-to-face)
- Field trip (please see other information section)
- Approximately 60 hours of self-directed study (including group work) which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
Students in this course must typically participate in an approximately 1 day field trip or complete an alternative assignment. To participate in the trip, students must be able to:
- Travel to the field location (e.g., by coach);
- Safely traverse short distances (approximately 10-800m) over uneven ground, steep slopes and possibly over stiles.
Students who cannot meet these requirements can negotiate alternative participation and assessment requirements with the course convenor. Please see the trip information page for more information.
Students in this course must undertake some Practical work and a Major Assignment in groups.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings and short videos will be provided in the course site in the Learning Management System.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2627 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |