env2egl climate and landscape change
CLIMATE CHANGE AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION
ENV2EGL
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject covers the causes and effects of climate changes, particularly during the Quaternary (last 2 million years), and discusses the impacts of these changes on the evolution of the Earth's landscape and on the people inhabiting it. Fundamental questions are discussed, including concepts of deposition and erosion in the landscape and the stratigraphic record, the onset of aridity in Australia, and the impact of people and tectonism (earth movement) on the landscape. In addition, the soils and regolith (weathered material) on the Earth's surface are described, along with the chemical and physical processes responsible for their formation, including the relation to climate history.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorJohn Webb
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects GEO2EGL, GEO3EGL, ENV3EGL
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions This subject is co-taught with ENV3EGL, but uses lower order marking criteria than in ENV3EGL.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Climate change | Recommended | Burroughs, W.J. | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2001 |
| Readings | Global geomorphology | Recommended | Summerfield, M. A. | LONGMAN 1991. |
| Readings | Quaternary environments | Recommended | Williams, M. A. J. | EDWARD ARNOLD 1993. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Collect, collate and interpret climatic, geological and geomorphological data. This includes; the major principles, causes and mechanisms of the earth's atmospheric system, climates, weathering of the earth's surface and the development of regolith; the change of climatic regimes over geological time; and the relationship of weathering to climate.
- Activities:
- Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes and an excursion.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
02. Solve complex constructed and real-world problems involving climate change and landscape development using numerical calculations and graphical representations to manipulate and interpret data.
- Activities:
- Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
03. Present coherent written explanations supported by evidence (collected by self or correctly cited and acknowledged data sources) in grammatically correct prose and appropriate use of key vocabulary and concepts.
- Activities:
- Guidelines for lab reports and excursion report given to students. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
04. Describe and recall the major principles, causes and mechanisms of landscape evolution, especially the evolution of the Victorian landscape.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book)
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
05. Demonstrate by their correct use in problems of landscape evolution, an understanding of the principles of lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, chronostratigraphy and event stratigraphy
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes and field excursion.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
06. Identify and explain the evolution of a landscape over time from provided data and field observations.
- Activities:
- Information provided in lectures and discussed in lab/prac/field. End-of-semester examination (open book) and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJohn Webb
Class requirements
Field Trip
One 1.0 days field trip per study period and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"For 10 weeks"
Lecture
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"3 per semester"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-hour end-of-semester examination | 45 | 01, 02, 04, 05, 06 | |
| Excursion report (500 words) | 10 | 03, 01, 02 | |
| Laboratory/practical exercises (x10, total equiv to 1500 words) | 40 | 02, 03, 05, 01, 06 | |
| Tutorial quizzes (3 per semester) | 5 | 01, 04 |