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Unit of Study GLY00201 - Earth Systems I: The Lithosphere (2015)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    This external unit will have a compulsory residential workshop at the Lismore campus. Please refer to the external residential timetable which can be found on the Environmental Science Student Centre in MySCU

Unit description

Introduces students to basic fundamentals in geology and geomorphology, with a focus on the outer shell of the Earth. The unit outlines the composition, structure and dynamic nature of the lithosphere and the processes acting upon it that lead to the evolution of the landforms we see today. The unit seeks to develop basic geological knowledge and field skills useful to environmental science and management professionals.

Unit content

Origin and internal structure of the lithosphere

Minerals, rocks, and the rock system

The plate tectonic system

Igneous rocks

Sedimentary rocks

Metamorphic rocks

Weathering and erosion

Evolution of landforms

Geological time and history

Geological evolution of the Australian continent and northeast New South Wales

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other geological hazards

Earth resources

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1
Online Session 1 N/A

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

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:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Demonstrate a knowledge of the internal structure of the earth and how the lithosphere was formed
2 Apply basic rock and mineral identification skills
3 Understand the processes that drive landform change, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics
4 Apply the concepts of geological time in the interpretation of geological maps, landform features (in the field and through analysis of satellite images and cross-section diagrams)
5 Interpret the processes and timescales involved in the evolution of landforms
6 Apply knowledge of catastrophic geological processes in terms of natural hazard assessment and management, and the management and exploitation of earth resources

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

  1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the internal structure of the earth and how the lithosphere was formed
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. Apply basic rock and mineral identification skills
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  3. Understand the processes that drive landform change, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  4. Apply the concepts of geological time in the interpretation of geological maps, landform features (in the field and through analysis of satellite images and cross-section diagrams)
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  5. Interpret the processes and timescales involved in the evolution of landforms
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  6. Apply knowledge of catastrophic geological processes in terms of natural hazard assessment and management, and the management and exploitation of earth resources
    • GA1:
    • GA4:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.