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ESM309Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Environmental Geosciences

This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of environmental geosciences, exploring the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. It examines geoscientific processes and their impact on the environment, including natural and man-made hazards. The course covers topics such as atmospheric processes, the hydrologic cycle, endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the role of human activities in shaping the Earth's surface. Students will gain an understanding of environmental concerns related to prospection, exploration, and mining.

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156h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Environmental GeoscienceEnvironmental HazardsAtmosphereHydrosphereLithosphere

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Environmental Geoscience

2

Earth's Spheres (Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere)

3

Endogenous Hazards (Earthquakes, Tsunamis)

4

Exogenous Hazards (Floods, Cyclones, Droughts, Erosion)

5

Prospection and Exploration

6

Mining and Environmental Impact

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Environmental Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Geoscientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Geologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Impact Assessor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Mining Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Environmental ConsultingMiningGeological SurveyEnvironmental ManagementNatural Resource Management

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 1: Scope and meaning of Environmental Geoscience

2 study hours
  • •Define environmental geoscience and its scope.
  • •Identify biotic and abiotic components in your surroundings.
  • •Explain the interrelationship between biotic and abiotic elements.
  • •Discuss the Earth's surface as the home of man.

Unit 2: The Concept of the Earth's surface as the home of man

2 study hours
  • •Understand the concept of the Earth's surface as the home of man.
  • •Discuss the dependence of humans on the biosphere.
  • •Analyze the impact of human activities on the Earth's surface.
Week
2

Module 2: Earth's Spheres

4h

Unit 1: Atmosphere

2 study hours
  • •Understand the layers of the atmosphere.
  • •Explain the characteristics of the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
  • •Discuss the role of the atmosphere in moderating Earth's temperature.

Unit 2: Atmospheric Processes

2 study hours
  • •Explain atmospheric processes such as evaporation, climate change, and radiation.
  • •Discuss the impact of greenhouse gases on climate change.
  • •Describe the geoscientific actions that influence atmospheric conditions.
Week
3

Module 2: Earth's Spheres

4h

Unit 3: The Hydrosphere and the Biosphere

2 study hours
  • •Understand the hydrologic cycle and its components.
  • •Explain the processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.
  • •Discuss the importance of water to life and the biosphere.

Unit 4: The Lithosphere and Processes of Sculpturing the Earth's surface

2 study hours
  • •Describe the lithosphere and its interaction with other Earth spheres.
  • •Explain the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.
  • •Discuss the impact of human activities on sculpturing the Earth's surface.
Week
4

Module 3: Environmental Hazards

3h

Unit 1: Endogenous Hazards

3 study hours
  • •Define endogenous hazards and their causes.
  • •Explain the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic activities.
  • •Discuss the plate tectonic theory and its relationship to earthquakes.
Week
5

Module 3: Environmental Hazards

2h

Unit 1: Endogenous Hazards

2 study hours
  • •Define tsunami and its causes.
  • •Explain the formation and characteristics of tsunami waves.
  • •Discuss the impact of tsunamis on coastal areas.
Week
6

Module 3: Environmental Hazards

4h

Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards

2 study hours
  • •Define exogenous hazards and their sources.
  • •Explain the causes and effects of floods.
  • •Discuss preventive measures for flood control.

Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards

2 study hours
  • •Define cyclones and their characteristics.
  • •Explain the formation and intensification of cyclones.
  • •Discuss the impact of cyclones on coastal regions.
Week
7

Module 3: Environmental Hazards

3h

Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards

3 study hours
  • •Define drought and its types.
  • •Explain the causes and effects of meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic droughts.
  • •Discuss the impact of drought on habitats and food supply.
Week
8

Module 3: Environmental Hazards

3h

Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards

3 study hours
  • •Define erosion and its types.
  • •Explain the processes of water erosion, glacial erosion, wind erosion, zoogenic erosion, and anthropogenic erosion.
  • •Discuss the impact of erosion on land degradation.
Week
9

Module 4: Resource Extraction

3h

Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining

3 study hours
  • •Define prospection, exploration, and mining.
  • •Understand the historical context of resource extraction.
  • •Outline the steps involved in prospection and exploration.
Week
10

Module 4: Resource Extraction

3h

Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the multidisciplinary nature of exploration.
  • •Explain the process of determining the quality and quantity of mineral resources.
  • •Understand the importance of feasibility reports in exploration.
Week
11

Module 4: Resource Extraction

3h

Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining

3 study hours
  • •Describe the different methods of mining, including underground and surface mining.
  • •Explain the factors that influence the choice of mining method.
  • •Discuss the environmental effects of mining, such as ecosystem distortion and pollution.
Week
12

Review and Preparation

4h

Review: Modules 1 & 2

4 study hours
  • •Review key concepts from Modules 1 and 2.
  • •Complete assignments and TMAs related to these modules.
  • •Prepare for upcoming assessments.
Week
13

Review and Preparation

4h

Review: Modules 3 & 4

4 study hours
  • •Review key concepts from Modules 3 and 4.
  • •Complete assignments and TMAs related to these modules.
  • •Finalize exam preparation strategies.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed notes summarizing key concepts from each unit, focusing on definitions, processes, and impacts.

2

Develop diagrams illustrating the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere (Units in Module 2).

3

Practice identifying different types of environmental hazards (Module 3) using case studies and real-world examples.

4

Review the steps involved in prospection, exploration, and mining (Module 4), paying attention to environmental regulations and reclamation processes.

5

Focus on understanding the causes and effects of endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the measures to mitigate their impacts.

6

Use past TMA questions to practice answering exam-style questions and identify areas where you need further review.

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