Unit of Study SCIN1004 Earth Systems (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Unit description

Introduces the formation of the earth over geological time and the complex interacting systems that provide a basis for life on earth, including the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere. Considers the recent changes induced by human activities and impacts on a global scale.

Unit content

1. The Earth: Introduction to earth system science, earth materials and geologic time.

2. Geosphere: Plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, the rock cycle.

3. Hydrosphere: the hydrological cycle and cryosphere

4. Oceans: Ocean circulation, basin and coastline formation, currents and waves.

5. Atmosphere: Structure and circulation and weather patterns and cycles.

6. The Biosphere and Anthropocene: Influence of living world on the Earth system over geologic time. Recent human impacts on the Earth system.

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term1	Term1
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1,5	N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Describe the key attributes of major interacting Earth systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere.

Demonstrate an understanding of important earth system cycles.

Apply critical scientific thinking to describe how the Earth systems interact across different scales in space and time.

Reflect on how humans have influenced the current and future functioning of the Earth systems.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Workbook	25%
Portfolio	35%
Presentation	40%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Workbook	25%
Portfolio	35%
Presentation	40%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Workbook	25%
Portfolio	35%
Presentation	40%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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