121-032 Australian Quaternary Environments

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Students taking this subject must have already completed 37.5 points at Second/Third Year, including at least one of: 121-025 Biodiversity, 121-018 Geomorphology, 600-201 Physical Environment, 625-221 Geological Methods, 121-032 Australian Quaternary Environments, 606-204 Plant Ecology, 654-204 Animal Ecology (Lectures & Pracs), 107-007 Prehistoric Archaeology, 107-005 Archaeology of Western Asia.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The Quaternary encompasses the past 2.5 million years of earth and human history. In this subject students will encounter topics such as: climate changes, dating methods, glacial/interglacial cycles, sea level changes and associated biotic responses, palynology, the effects of hunter-gatherers on the environment, Quaternary geomorphology, the development of modern landscapes. On completion of the subject students should be familiar with aspect of the Quaternary such as: the major forces which have driven environmental change; the processes which operated to shape physical landscapes; the nature of anthropogenic impacts on landscapes. Students should acquire field and laboratory skills in palaeoenvironmental methods; in Quaternary geomorphological methods; and methods to analyse and reconstruct past environments.

Assessment

An assignment of 4000 words at 3rd year, 5000 words at 4th year, and a field report and weekly laboratory exercises totalling 4000 words at 3rd year, 5000 words at 4th year. 3rd year students must attend at least 80% of scheduled practical and seminar classes to be eligible to pass this subject.