ESC1011: Planet earth: Our place in the universe

5 quizzes, 3 based on labs, 2 based on self-guided "field-trips", one poster, which from what I have gathered changes from year to year (this year it was on hazards) and the exam.

First, a disclaimer: geology is changing everyday, and what I write in here you may not be learning in your year of completion. Given that there's actually been evidence put forth that there's more to the structure to the Earth than scientists have recently though, there's good chance that the content to this unit will change quite a bit. You have been forewarned.

This was a good, fun unit. You start off learning about cosmology - which I'm assuming is to hook people on what is otherwise, let's face it, rocks.

As someone who was originally going to major in geology, I didn't mind the idea of learning about rocks, however starting in astrogeology was a nice little treat, and it was very interesting. Basically covered things like, "what is a planet" (spoiler: not Jupiter) and what the other planets are made of, as well as confusing things like where the universe came from. Also covering other concepts such as the likelihood of being hit by a comet. The first quiz was based on this material, and the last topic (hazards) some crossover into here.

Next, we moved onto rocks and minerals. We did some detouring into what the Earth was made of and what it looks like first, and then the big things. We covered different minerals and identifying them, and then types of rocks and identifying those. Where those rocks might be find. Doesn't sound like much, but once you get there, you'll realise there's a lot in here (the tragedies of there being no Earth sciences in VCE...)

Next comes the paleontology side of things, and you learn about time before now. Basically just what kind of life there was like before now, learning about dinosaurs and the megafauna. Not my favourite topic, but whatever floats your boat. (on the plus side, Bunyips were real).

Then, finishing up on geohazards. Pretty cool stuff. How close can you get to lava before catching fire? Can you surf on it? Are we at risk from being hit by a comet? What even is a landslide? All that fun stuff.

The best part about this unit, though - science changes every day, and Marion tries (and I reckon she succeeded) to keep up with this in the course. Especially in geo, if a new hazard happens, you will know, and you will learn about it. Nothing assessable, don't worry about being assessed, but you will learn first hand what it's like living in the world of research and science.
Oh, and Marion's a sarcastic bitch. A funny one, but she's a sarcastic bitch.

Marion Anderson

No, with no sample exam.

4 out of 5

Yes, with screen capture.

Marion says that Earth: Portrait of a Planet is a required AND that the edition she prescribes is the one you need, because the other ones will be years out of date. Supposedly, the one we had this year was a few years out of date (however, I can agree with her, so... Yeah). It was certainly useful, but I wouldn't say it was required.

3x1 hour lectures, 1x3 hour labs

2014, Semester 1

60 C