GEOL245-11S2 (C) Semester Two 2011

Earth System Science

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 11 July 2011
End Date: Sunday, 13 November 2011
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 24 July 2011
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 9 October 2011

Description

The course examines the dynamic interactions between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere determine the natural conditions of Earth at all spatial and temporal scales.

This course covers the fundamental chemical and physical processes at work within the earth system from a geological perspective through a combination of knowledge-based and applied teaching approaches.  Lectures will both transfer knowledge and engage students in case studies.  Laboratory exercises will apply lecture material to a variety of physical, chemical, and numerical problems. Topics to be covered include: biogeochemistry; hydrology & hydrogeology; low temperature geochemistry; geochronology; thermochronology and tectonics.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students successfully completing GEOL245 will:
  • know fundamental chemical reactions occurring in the Earth system.
  • know the processes that define the global biogeochemical cycles.
  • know how to calculate absolute ages using geochronologic methods.
  • understand the physical processes governing the transport of water through surface and subsurface systems.
  • understand how changes in one component of the Earth system will impact other components of the Earth system

Prerequisites

GEOL111 and GEOL112, or, with a B+ average, or
a standard acceptable to the HOD, GEOL113 may be substituted for GEOL111 or 112. In addition 15 points from GEOG, BIOL, CHEM or MATH100 courses. RP: 100-level MATH course is strongly recommended.

Restrictions

GEOL234

Recommended Preparation

100-level MATH course is strongly recommended.

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Travis Horton

Lecturer

Mark Quigley

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Laboratory exercises 40% Laboratory exercises
Writing assignment 20% Writing assignment
Final examination 40% Final examination

Textbooks / Resources

There are no required textbooks for this course.  However, you will be required to read assigned material posted on-line and/or placed on-reserve in the central library as indicated by your course instructors.  Your final examination will assess your understanding of these assigned readings.

Course links

Library portal

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $690.00

International fee $3,225.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 30 people apply to enrol.

For further information see Geological Sciences .

All GEOL245 Occurrences

  • GEOL245-11S2 (C) Semester Two 2011
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