233105

Our Dynamic Earth

An introductory course exploring the dynamics of Earth and how it changes through time, from the core to the atmosphere, plate tectonics to volcanoes, glaciers to rivers, mountains to oceans, and mass extinctions to the evolution of life. Through exploration of these processes and their interrelationships with environments and society, including natural hazards, climate change, and earth resources, students will develop their practical, problem solving, and communication skills.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

233105

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

100-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Earth Science

Course planning information

Restrictions

Similar content
233101 and 145121

You cannot enrol in this course if you have passed (or are enrolled in) any of the course(s) above as these courses have similar content or content at a higher level.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Describe and explain the structure, properties and dynamics of the Earth’s crust and interior through time, and the processes that produce Earth materials.
  • 2 Describe and explain the properties, dynamics and interactions of Earth surface systems, at a range of spatial and temporal scales, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere.
  • 3 Use different skills, including the identification of rocks, minerals, and fossils, landscape interpretation, and geospatial data analysis and visualisation, to solve Earth and environmental science-focussed problems.
  • 4 Discuss the interrelationships between Earth processes (such as natural hazards) and Earth materials, and environments and society, including Māori knowledge.
  • 5 Plan and write a detailed synthesis on an Earth science topic with a focus on New Zealand, using a range of primary and secondary sources, and supported by tables, graphs, maps, photos, and diagrams.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Portfolio 1 2 3 4 50%
Written Assignment 1 2 4 5 50%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.

Compulsory

EARTH: PORTRAIT OF A PLANET 7ED ISE + ETEXT + SMARTWORK 5

Author
MARSHAK, S
ISBN
9780393882766
Edition
7ED
Publisher
WILEY

Campus Books stock textbooks and legislation. For more information visit Campus Books.