Understanding how our planet works has been a human ambition for many centuries. Earth Science deals with complex systems and brings together aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to understand the processes that shape our planet. Earth Science is central to many pressing issues of our time such as the supply of resources including energy and water, climate change and natural hazards.
The major in Earth Science will examine the origin of Earth from its beginning as one of several planets orbiting the sun to the evolution through time of rocks, the oceans and the atmosphere and how this made life on Earth possible. In the past 50 years, we have come to appreciate the global mobility of plates encapsulated in the paradigm of plate tectonics. Interactions between plates generate earthquakes, mountain belts and volcanos. In addition to understanding the fundamental mechanisms driving these global forces, Earth Scientists are engaged in understanding the origins of global resources. An increasingly important aspect of Earth Science is the understanding of past and present climate systems through integrated studies of the interactions between the lithosphere, oceans, atmosphere and biosphere.
Studying the Earth involves testing hypotheses and many opportunities arise in the major for field studies. A major in Earth Sciences opens up possibilities for work in the mining and minerals industries, government agencies and science education. It serves as a pathway to higher degree research at Australian or overseas universities.
Learning Outcomes
- Gather and/or interpret data from a wide range of Earth Science disciplines, using a variety of techniques.
- Develop theoretical and practical skills required for Earth Sciences.
- Have an understanding of the history of and debates within the discipline of Geology and how they have influenced modern Earth Science.
- Apply an understanding of time (evolution of continents, oceans and life over billions of years) and space (nano to planetary scales) to a variety of contexts.
- Perform process-oriented, multidisciplinary studies to critically evaluate models and test hypotheses on how our planet works.
- Write scientific reports, and communicate effectively with experts, peer students and the wider community on Earth Science topics.
- Conduct themselves in a way that reflects professional expectations within the discipline.
Other Information
Which courses should you take in first year?
This major will require you to complete the following 1000-level courses:
- EMSC1008 is a prerequisite for EMSC2022, EMSC2023 and EMSC2024
- You will have to complete at least one of EMSC2021 and EMSC2022, both of which require one of MATH1003, MATH1013 or MATH1115 so at least one MATH course must be taken. Students with a level of mathematics equivalent to ACT Mathematical Methods should enroll in MATH1003.
Other 1000- level courses will depend on what other courses are taken. Students are encouraged in first year to take appropriate foundation courses in earth science, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology and /or environmental science, because of the interdisciplinary nature of Climate Sciences. Some of the first year courses in these disciplines are required as a basis for higher-level Earth Science courses.
- CHEM1101 (required for EMSC2024) - Students should note that CHEM1101 requires an ACT major in Chemistry or NSW HSC Chemistry, or equivalent, or successful completion of a bridging course in Chemistry.
- PHYS1001 or PHYS1101 - PHYS1101 has MATH1013 as a co-requisite
- EMSC1006 is strongly recommended.
Academic or enrolment advice:
Students can seek further advice from the academic contact for this major (details above), or the College of Science Student Services Team (students.cos@anu.edu.au).
Back to the topRequirements
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have 1000-level prerequisites which must be selected in the first year of study and will contribute towards satisfying the 1000-level course requirements of the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours).
Please check individual courses for details however the courses listed below will cover most 1000-level requirements for 2000-3000- level courses listed in this major.
- EMSC1008 (prerequisite for EMSC2022, EMSC2023 and EMSC2024)
- CHEM1101 (prerequisite for EMSC2024)
- MATH1003, MATH1013 or MATH1115 (prerequisite for EMSC2021)
This major requires 48 units which must come from completion of courses from the following lists, of which:
A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 2000- level EMSC courses from the following list:
*EMSC2021 Fundamentals of Climate Science (6 units)
*EMSC2022 Introduction to Global Geophysics (6 units)
*EMSC2023 Fundamentals of Geology (6 units)
*EMSC2024 Geochemical Cycles (6 units)
A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000- level courses from the following list:
ARCH3042 Scientific Dating in Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies (6 units)
EMSC3002 Structure and Tectonic Evolution of the Australian Plate (6 units)
EMSC3007 Economic Geology (6 units)
EMSC3019 Coral Reef Field Studies (6 units)
EMSC3020 Geobiology and Evolution of Life on Earth (6 units)
EMSC3022 Planetary Science (6 units)
EMSC3023 Marine Biogeochemistry (6 units)
EMSC3024 Magmatism and Metamorphism (6 units)
EMSC3025 Remote Sensing of Water Resources (6 units)
EMSC3027 Palaeoclimatology and Climate Change (6 units)
EMSC3032 Melting Polar Ice Sheets, Sea Level Variations and Climate Change (6 units)
EMSC3033 Applied Geophysics (6 units)
EMSC3034 Dynamic Earth: Plates, Plumes and Mantle Convection (6 units)
EMSC3039 Climate Dynamics (6 units)
EMSC3050 Special Topics (6 units)
Back to the top