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| The
course focuses on Earth as a system, therefore highlighting
the interactions between the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere
and biosphere. Upon completion of the course, a student should
have a good understanding of various Earth Science topics in
terms of the different reservoirs or spheres: |
- Topics
related to the geosphere include the internal structure
of the Earth, Earth as part of the solar system, plate tectonics
and its role in mineral and rock-forming processes, geological
processes, the geological time scale and relative age dating
of rocks.
- The
atmosphere is discussed in terms of atmospheric processes,
weather systems, global climate and climate change.
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The part of the course that focuses on the hydrosphere will
include aspects such as water on land, groundwater, the
oceans and glaciers.
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Focus on the biosphere will mainly be on the early evolution
of life on Earth, as well as global change and the human
impact on Earth systems.
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The course concludes with discussions on mineral and energy
resources and a summary of the basic principles of environmental
geoscience.
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| The course
aims to instruct students in the interaction between different
Earth System components. This should lead to the understanding
of Earth as comprises a complex but fascinating set of related
systems, and that physical, biological, environmental and earth
sciences do not exist in isolation. |
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| On completion
of the course, a student should have a thorough understanding
of the functioning of the Earth System and the interactions
between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere,
as well as the impact of different processes on the environment.
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| A study
guide summarising main themes and ideas as discussed in class
and covered in “Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology”,
9th edition by Tarbuck and Lutgens will be available at the
start of the course. Note that the study guide is not intended
to replace the textbook, and that it is simply a guide to discussions
during lectures. Buying the textbook is not compulsory, but
students with major Earth Science subjects are usually encouraged
to acquire a copy. |
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| Useful
websites will be referred to during lectures and will occasionally
be posted on WebCT. Below is a list of references and suggested
reading that would be useful during the course. Most of the
titles below are available in the JS Gericke library, and others
will be available as reserve texts in the department: |
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| 1.
Carlson, D.H., Plummer, C.C. and McGeary, D. (2006). Physical
Geology: Earth Revealed (6th ed). McGraw-Hill, New York, 580
pp. |
| 2.
Gabler, R.E., Petersen, J.F. and Trapasso, L.M. (2007). Essentials
of Physical Geography (8th ed).Thomson Brooks/Cole, USA, 658
pp. |
| 3.
Holden, J. (2005). An Introduction to Physical Geography and
the Environment. Pearson Education Limited, London, 664 pp. |
| 4.
Marshak, S. (2005). Earth: Portrait of a Planet (2nd ed). W.W.
Norton & Company Inc., New York, 748 pp. |
| 5.
McCarthy, T. and Rubidge, B. (2005). The Story of Earth &
Life: A Southern African Perspective on a 4.6-billion-year journey.
Struik Publishers, Cape Town, 333 pp. |
| 6.
Norman, N. and Whitfield, G. (2006). Geological Journeys: A
Traveller’s Guide to South Africa’s rocks and landforms.
Struik Publishers, Cape Town, 320 pp. |
| 7.
Plummer, C.C., McGeary, D. and Carlson, D. (2005). Physical
Geology (10th ed). McGraw-Hill, New York, 580 pp. |
| 8.
Skinner, B.J., Porter, S.C. and Botkin, D.B. (1999). The Blue
Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science (2nd ed). John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 552 pp. |
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9. Tarbuck, E.J. and Lutgens, F.K. (2005). Earth: An Introduction
to Physical Geology (8th ed). Pearson Education Inc., New
Jersey, 684 pp.
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| During practical
sessions, students will learn to use basic scientific skills
to study course-related subjects and processes. |
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| The
class mark will be based on the following (note that the weight
carried by each assesssment method is subject to change during
the course): |
- 30%
- WebCT-based quizzes and assignments
- 30%
- Practical exercises
- 40%
- Written theory test
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| A
class mark of at least 40% is required in order to qualify for
the June exam. |
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