Course overview
This course is about Earth's transformation to a habitable planet. It starts with the construction of the planet in the solar nebula, to Earth's transformation to a warm wet greenhouse planet, through the evolution and extinction events that shaped and still shape life on the planet. We look at the water world that is our earth; the hydrosphere, atmosphere and the oceans. We finish with a look at our human effects on the earth system, and take a look at our extraordinary Australian environment. We undertake a day long field excursion to see some of this environment first-hand.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrated proficiency in common practical skills in first year geology
- Have knowledge of how episodic events change Earth over short time scales
- Have knowledge of how long-time scale events shape Earth
- Appreciate the time-scales of naturally occurring cycles