The course is designed to build on EARTH1001 and focusses on geological and environmental processes occurring throughout the Earth, the concept of geological time, and associated hazards and extreme events. Topics include: the structure of the Earth and plate tectonics, the origin of life and use of the fossil record to understand past climates, environments and tectonic processes, and past, present and future climate change. These topics are underpinned by hazards associated with these processes, human interactions, and practical skills in the visualisation of Earth Science data and problem solving.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - 9.00 am; weekly laboratory

None

EARTH1001

Exam - 40%

Scientific mini project (data visualisation and written description thereof) - 30%

Quizzes (9 out of 10 must be submitted) - 30%.

The aims of the course are to:

■ Synthesise information on geological processes occurring deep within the Earth, concepts of geological time, how the Earth has evolved and continues to do so in the future, and associated hazard and human interactions.

■ Investigate the development of life on Earth and its relationship to geological processes.

■ Investigate past, present and future change of the Earth.

■ Develop skills in interpreting and visualising 3D geodata to reconstruct geological and environmental histories, and challenges to be addressed today and in the future by Earth Scientists.

■ Develop data visualisation and scientific writing skills.

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

■ Explain the formation and structure of the Earth and the supporting evidence behind the theory of plate tectonics, and associated hazards.

■ Explain the principles and consequences of deformation of rocks in terms of faults, folds, and geological histories.

■ Explain the processes behind major events in the evolution of the solid Earth and life, including demonstrating the use of fossils and proxies in reconstructing environments, climate change and plate tectonics.

■ Explain anthropogenic climate change, including past, present and future climate modelling and data analysis, and associated hazards

■ Analyse maps, cross sections and models in 3D to explain the structure and history of regions, and their use in applied geological and environmental problems

■ Research a topic in Earth Science and produce relevant data visualisations and a concise scientific description thereof.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment, attend 75% of the practical sessions, and 75% of the lectures. Students must submit 9 out of the 10 quizzes.