EA3800 - Earth and Environmental Geochemistry

EA3800 introduces students from a variety of science and environmental studies backgrounds to chemistry principles, and uses these principles to gain a better understanding of surface and deep Earth processes. Specific topics include elemental distribution in the cosmos, on the Earth, in rocks, minerals and the surface environment; aqueous geochemistry and mineral stability; chemical weathering; biogeochemical principles and applications in the earth sciences; isotopic and elemental ratios as tracers of natural and anthropogenic processes; radiometric dating; exploration geochemistry; pollution processes and issues. Each topic is reinforced by case studies from the science literature.

Learning Outcomes

• to provide students with a firm foundation in chemistry and its application to the natural world;
• to engender in students a deeper understanding of the Earth and our surface environment from a chemical perspective;
• to provide students with the means to assess rigorously and critically scientific debates and environmental issues;
• to provide students with a wide range of practical skills used in exploration and environmental geochemistry.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use and interpret different media;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.