Faculty of Science
Earth sciences

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Faculty of Science

1. Specialisations offered
    1.1. Geology
    1.2. Atmosphere and ocean sciences
    1.3. Environmental Earth science
2. Additional subjects, and majors
    2.1. Geology
    2.2. Atmosphere and ocean sciences
    2.3. Environmental Earth science
3. Bachelor of Science (Honours)
4. Further Information
Subject Lists
    Subject descriptions
        100-level subjects
        200-level subjects
        300-level subjects
        Earth sciences subjects available only to engineering students

The subjects presented in the School of Earth Sciences cover all aspects of the study of the Earth - its composition, and the workings of the many complex systems that together make up our planetary environment. The major in Earth sciences can be taken within three specialisations: geology, atmosphere and ocean sciences, as well as a specialisation in environmental Earth science that is taken with the environmental science co-major. Geology subjects are concerned with all aspects of the solid Earth, while A&OS subjects cover the external fluid components of our planet, the atmosphere and oceans.

1. Specialisations offered

1.1. Geology

Geology is presented through a range of subjects that match the range of aspects of the discipline. The early subjects provide a broad introduction to the processes that shape the Earth and its environment, and proceed to comprehensive studies of the solid Earth, its materials, and its evolution as a dynamic planet. The school values the practice of teaching through field experience highly, and many subjects include field classes.

1.2. Atmosphere and ocean sciences

The specialisation in atmosphere and ocean sciences will provide an appreciation of the principal wind and current systems, of the ways in which these two media interact with each other and with the land surface to influence weather and climate, and of the inherent variability of the Earth's climate on a range of time scales.

1.3. Environmental Earth science

The school offers a sequence which concentrates on those aspects of geology which are more directly applicable to the study of present-day environmental processes. This sequence is complemented by the environmental science co-major, listed on ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE and should only be taken in conjunction with that set of subjects.

2. Additional subjects, and majors

After completing Earth sciences 625-101, both 625-102 Geology and 625-103 Atmosphere and Ocean Science are available to students who wish to continue with their introduction to Earth sciences.

2.1. Geology

Subjects from other departments can be selected at 200-level to prepare for a second major; chemistry, mathematics and statistics, environmental science, zoology, botany, or geography are some of the possibilities which support various aspects of geology. The atmosphere and ocean sciences specialisation is also available.
Earth sciences 625-301, 625-302 plus two of 625-303, 625-304, 625-305, 625-307, 625-310, 625-311, 625-312 fulfil the requirements for the geology specialisation. Students proceeding to honours in geology should include at least one of the field subjects (Earth sciences 625-311 and 625-312) and should discuss their plans with school staff.
Students may complete their degree by taking further subjects from the group described above, or by taking a major from another discipline.

2.2. Atmosphere and ocean sciences

Subjects from other departments can be selected at 200-level to prepare for a second major; physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, computer sciences or environmental science are possibilities which support various aspects of atmosphere and ocean sciences.

Earth sciences 625-331 and 625-332 fulfil the requirements for the atmosphere and ocean sciences specialisation.

Students may complete their degree by completing a second major, from those listed in Majors.

2.3. Environmental Earth science

Students undertaking this specialisation should take the subjects required for the environmental science co-major, together with the following subjects in Earth Sciences: 625-301, 625-302, and 625-307, plus one of 625-303, 625-304, 625-305, 625-310, 625-311, 625-312. (These fulfil the requirements for the geology specialisation.) Students proceeding to honours in geology should include at least one of the field subjects (Earth Sciences 625-311 and 625-312) and should discuss their plans with school staff.

3. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about the faculty and departmental entry requirements for the honours degree, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

4. Further Information

School of Earth Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 7675
Fax: +61 3 8344 7761
Web: http://www.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au

Subject descriptions

Status:                   Official 2002
Last Modified:            Tuesday May 07 22:11
SGML to HTML Conversion:  Information Technology Services
Authorised by:            Academic Registrar
Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au

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