Earth & Environmental Sciences Prof Allen Nutman School of Earth & Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health
What is Earth and environmental science? Prof. Allen Nutman, Head of School
Landscape dynamics
Human & animal evolution: Notably Homo floresiensis ( the Hobbit )
Climate change in continental & maritime Australia / Southern Hemisphere
Human response to coastal dynamics & climate change
Evolution and History of Planet Earth: A 4.56 billion year (4,560,000,000 year) odyssey, to understand how we got here (insert additional slides as needed)
Resources for humanity (economic geology) Meeting the needs of a growing human population
Spatial science Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Spatial Scales Multiple Scale Observations / Validation
What earth & environmental science degrees and majors are on offer?
What school of earth & environmental science minors are on offer? A Minor is a lesser degree of specialisation, that is combined with an allied specialisation (e.g. Archaeology + Ancient History)
BSc (Physical Geography and Environmental Geosciences) Understanding of physical landscapes Dynamics of environmental processes on the Earth s surface Impacts of human intervention on the landscape Spatial arrangement of landscape features Evolution over time of landscape features over time Mountains Rivers Glaciers Beaches
BSc (Geology) Study of the Earth How planet Earth functions Earth composition and origin Geological time, Solar system Interior of the earth Plate tectonics and structural geology Crystals, rocks and minerals, water resources, Volcanoes and volcanic processes Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
BSc (Environment) & BSc Environmental Science The study of how humans interact with their environment
Our environment is the total of our surroundings Built and Natural Living & Nonliving Human Interactions & Knowledge
BSc (Environment) & BSc Environmental Science Prescribed courses Years 1 and 2 the same in both programs During Year 2 a strand selection is made for B Env Sci: Earth Sciences Environmental Chemistry Land Resources Life Sciences
What are some of the subjects I ll take? Flickr.com
EESC103 EARTH S DYNAMIC SURFACE
EESC321 PLATE TECTONICS, MACROTOPOGRAPHY AND EARTH HISTORY
EESC322 COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS: PROCESS AND MANAGEMENT
EESC207 ADVANCED GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS
What skills will I acquire?
How do I choose? First Year: Four (4) core subjects fundamental Earth & Environmental knowledge + generic skills useful for any major Additional elective subjects selected for BSc requirements. Second Year: One of three majors selected proceed on that pathway Environment Major: depending on performance, option to transfer to BSc(EnvSci) Third Year: New, core, integrative Capstone subject Assimilates skills & knowledge obtained in core subjects in relevant major
How will I learn?
How will I learn? An ongoing refresh of the facilities and the Curriculum (1 st year refreshed 2016 through to 3 rd year refresh 2018) Old practical laboratory classroom - 2014 New practical laboratory classroom - 2015
Technology Embedded Learning: Use of touch-screen COWS (Computers on Wheels) for interactive learning and group projects, using industry-standard software
Technology Embedded Learning: Use Qwizdom clickers for students to feedback understanding of concepts and content to instructors in real-time
Technology Embedded Learning: I-GLOBE for portrayal of complex global 4-D (space and time) processes, ranging from evolution of weather systems to plate tectonics
Honours (4 th year) student using world-class analytical facilities in Geoscience Australia (Canberra) for his project (sub-heading) (text) (insert additional slides as needed)
Class fieldwork: A vital ingredient (first year activity, near Wollongong)
Class fieldwork: A vital ingredient (third year activity, outback)
Laboratory work A vital ingredient
What career opportunities exist? Archaeological consulting Climatologist Environmental consulting Environmental/resource management Ecologist Geochemist GIS officer Geologists in mineral exploration, mining, energy (coal, petroleum), government (geological surveys), engineering geology, environmental science Not your ordinary office job! Palaeontologist Hydrologist Park ranger Regional planner Water quality officer Project geologist Geomorphologist Geochronologist Spatial analyst Coastal manager Paleoecologist Soil scientist Conservation Officer
A great thing about being an Earth Scientist is the great range of possible working conditions, even in the same job. It also provides opportunity for real travel! (all images from my own experiences) Consultancy for International companies Working in worldleading laboratories Outback fieldwork (WA) Arctic fieldwork Western China fieldwork Arctic cuisine
Student society GROUNDSWELL Groundswell aims to provide students of SEES opportunities for personal and professional skills development, and professional and social networking. Local and international field trips, workshops, relevant scientific and industry information Informal BBQ s and events.
Thank you and Questions?