University of Technology SydneyHandbook 2007

66513 Marine Geosciences

6cp

Requisite(s): 66102 Introduction to Earth Systems

This is an elective subject suitable for any student undertaking study in the environmental sciences. It deals with the structure and morphology of ocean basins and their margins, including their origin and evolutionary history. Physical and chemical processes operating in the oceans and their interaction with the atmosphere and climate systems are examined. The nature and origin of seafloor sediments and the history of ocean and climate change are covered in detail, including the relationships between continental drift, ocean currents and climate variation. In particular the role of Tertiary and Quaternary ocean sediments in our understanding of climate and environmental change are assessed as part of an overall examination of the evidence for climate and climate change throughout geological history. The subject then examines in more detail Quaternary allocyclic factors that influence earth systems and their consequences. The subject covers Milankovitch cycles, ice ages, eustatic fluctuations and climate change: recordings of these in earth systems, and the consequences of these and other major influences on the geosphere-biosphere; and 'greenhouse' concepts and their relationship and responses to natural and anthropogenic input. As part of the subject, an examination of relevant methods of determining age, collecting and analysing field data and the application of modelling techniques are dealt with.

Additional subject costs: The subject includes a five-day excursion at approximate cost to students of $100 in 2007. For updated costs and excursion dates refer to the Department of Environmental Sciences website:

http://www.science.uts.edu.au/des/index.html

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus

Fee information

2007 contribution for post-2004 Commonwealth-supported students: $889.75
2007 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,250.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.125
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2007 for Commonwealth-supported students who commenced after 2004 and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported students should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Domestic fee-paying students and international students should refer to the Fees webpage.

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.