Earth & Environmental Science
2 unit course
Course Summary
Earth and Environmental Science provides an overview of how Science affects our Environment. We focus on interactions between the solid earth, water, air, living organisms, and dynamic interdependent relationships between those four components. We consider how these relationships produce environmental change, and we strive to understand past and present processes so that reliable and scientifically based predictions can be made about the future.
Students are provided with 15 hours of course time to undertake a depth study in Year 11 and Year 12. During this time, students may investigate or conduct an activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts of this course.
A depth study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities.
Practical work constitutes 35% of the course.
What, if any, skills are needed?
We conduct practical investigations that are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses.
Skills relating to conducting experiments and working scientifically developed during Years 7-10 are recommended.
Course Units
| Year 11 Units | Year 12 Units |
|---|---|
|
The Year 11 course consists of four modules:
|
The Year 12 course consists of four modules:
|
|
Module 1 Earth’s Resources
|
Module 5 Earth’s Processes
|
|
Module 2 Plate Tectonics
|
Module 6 Hazards
|
|
Module 3 Energy Transformations
|
Module 7 Climate Science
|
|
Module 4 Human Impacts
|
Module 8 Resource Management
|
Learning Experiences
Students will gain first-hand knowledge of their natural world - the land and marine environments and interactions.
Fieldwork and excursions are mandated in Year 11 and Year 12 and are an integral part of the learning process.
Career Options
There are a wide variety of employment opportunities for students who have undertaken this Scientific course, demonstrating science, communication, and research.
- Geoscientist
- Hydrologist
- Survey technician
- Atmospheric scientist
- Geography
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Engineer
- Zoologist
- Conservation scientist
- Teacher
- Urban/Rural designer
- Petroleum geologist
- Geophysicist
- Paleoclimatologist
- Volcanologist
- Seismologist
- Geochemist
- Glaciologist
- Mineralogist
- Cartographer
- Paleontologist