Environmental Geosciences
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 51 pages
- 6 units
This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of environmental geosciences, exploring the relationships between Earth's systems and human activities. It examines geoscientific processes, natural and man-made hazards, and their impacts on the environment. Topics include the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the exploration and mining of Earth's resources. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues from a geoscientific perspective.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 26 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of EMT309, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
EMT309 · Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining
Environmental geosciences studies the changes in the earth around us. These include the atmosphere, ocean and the solid earth (lithos or geos) and the interactions between them. These interactions are continuous and symbiotic and they determine the habitability of the planet.
What you should be able to do
- Define environmental geoscience and its scope.
- Explain the interrelationships between Earth's systems.
- Identify and discuss various environmental hazards.
- Analyze the impact of human activities on the environment.
- Describe the processes of mineral exploration and mining.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Geoscientist
- Environmental Manager
- Mining Engineer
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Consulting
- Mining
- Geological Survey
- Environmental Regulation
- Disaster Management
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 3: Lithosphere and Processes of Sculpturing of the Earth's surface
Understanding the complex interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere requires integrating knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines.
- Module 3:
Unit 1: ENDOGENOUS HAZARDS
The complex physics of tsunami wave propagation and coastal inundation require advanced understanding of fluid dynamics.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Introduction to Environmental Geoscience · 2 hours
Define environmental geoscience and its scope.. Identify biotic and abiotic components of the environment.. Explain the interrelationship between biotic and abiotic factors..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: The Concept of the Earth's surface as the home of man · 2 hours
Discuss the Earth's surface as the home of man.. Explain human dependence on the biosphere.. Describe the impact of human activities on the Earth's surface..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: The Atmosphere and Atmospheric Processes · 2 hours
Understand the layers of the atmosphere.. Explain the characteristics of the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere.. Discuss the role of the atmosphere in moderating Earth's temperature..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 2: Hydrologic Processes and the Biosphere · 2 hours
Describe hydrologic processes, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.. Explain the hydrologic cycle and its importance.. Discuss the interrelation between the hydrosphere and the biosphere..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 3: Lithosphere and Processes of Sculpturing of the Earth's surface · 2 hours
Define the lithosphere and its components.. Explain the processes that sculpture the Earth's surface, including weathering and erosion.. Discuss the impact of human activities on the lithosphere..
- Week 6Module 3:
Unit 1: ENDOGENOUS HAZARDS · 2 hours
Define endogenous hazards and provide examples.. Explain the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic activities.. Discuss the plate tectonic theory and its relation to earthquakes..
- Week 7Module 3:
Unit 1: ENDOGENOUS HAZARDS · 2 hours
Define tsunami and explain its causes.. Discuss the characteristics of tsunami waves.. Outline measures for tsunami monitoring and management..
- Week 8Module 3:
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define exogenous hazards and provide examples.. Explain the causes and effects of floods.. Discuss preventive measures for flood control..
- Week 9Module 3:
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define cyclone and explain its formation.. Discuss the characteristics of tropical and extratropical cyclones.. Understand the impact of cyclones on coastal areas..
- Week 10Module 3:
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define drought and its types: meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic.. Explain the causes and effects of drought.. Discuss the impact of drought on water resources and agriculture..
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define erosion and its types: water, wind, glacial, zoogenic, and anthropogenic.. Explain the processes of sheet, rill, and gully erosion.. Discuss the impact of erosion on land degradation..
- Week 12Module 4:
UNIT 1: PROSPECTION/EXPLORATION AND MINING · 2 hours
Define prospection, exploration, and mining.. Understand the stages of mineral exploration.. Discuss the environmental impacts of mining..
- Week 13Module 4:
UNIT 1: PROSPECTION/EXPLORATION AND MINING · 2 hours
Explain the methods of underground and surface mining.. Discuss the need for environmental reclamation after mining.. Outline measures for remediating mining hazards..
Preparing for the exam
- Review the definitions and scope of environmental geoscience from Unit 1 of Module 1.
- Create diagrams illustrating the Earth's systems and their interactions, focusing on Modules 1 and 2.
- Study the causes and effects of endogenous and exogenous hazards, using examples from Module 3.
- Practice identifying preventive and remedial measures for environmental hazards, as discussed in Module 3.
- Understand the processes of mineral exploration and mining, and their environmental impacts, from Module 4.
Questions students ask about this course
What is EMT309 about?
This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of environmental geosciences, exploring the relationships between Earth's systems and human activities. It examines geoscientific processes, natural and man-made hazards, and their impacts on the environment. Topics include the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the exploration and mining of Earth's resources. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmental issues from a geoscientific perspective.
How many units does EMT309 have?
EMT309, Environmental Geosciences, has 6 units across 4 modules, over 51 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is EMT309?
EMT309 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is EMT309 hard?
EMT309 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does EMT309 take to study?
About 26 hours of study, spread across its 6 units.
How is EMT309 assessed?
EMT309 is assessed by tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with EMT309?
Environmental Consultant, Geoscientist, Environmental Manager, Mining Engineer and Environmental Scientist.