Earth Science has undergone a revolution within the last decade, with the integration of digital and physical field data. Here we aim to reflect these exciting changes through a semester-long course that integrates studios with a 6-day residential field trip to world-class Taranaki field sites. The course focuses on understanding the evolution of the region from the Miocene to today, and how these changes continue to shape contemporary surface processes, and resources and impact the people of the region.
Earth Science 320 builds directly upon Earth Science 220 to provide a coherent platform to develop the skills to be a professional Earth Scientist. The course involves a series of studio and field-based exercises that will develop skills in geoscience and geomorphic data collection, analyses, and interpretation. Students will relate digital and physical field data to generate logical Earth system models. The course will focus on critical analysis and contextualization of data and the development of logical interpretations. These learnings are embedded within the social and cultural considerations in which the practice of Earth Science is conducted in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
This course is suitable for Earth Science, Geology, Physical Geography, Environmental Change, Environmental Science students, and essentially anyone who has completed Earth Science 220.
Learning Objectives:
- To develop experience and skills in data collection and analysis, including the collection, management, quantitative analysis, and visualisation of spatial and temporal data.
- To develop experience and skills in interpretation through the application of general and specialist scientific knowledge to interpret Earth processes using both qualitative and quantitative data. This will focus on the critical analysis of landscapes and their evolution within the context of past and present surface and subsurface processes.
- To develop personally by providing opportunities to foster empathy and tolerance of individuals to operate effectively within teams. To gain a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage and the environment, health and safety considerations, and awareness and ability to communicate the importance of Earth Sciences within a socio-economic context.