| CODE | MSS2012 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Earth-Space Interactions | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Mathematics and Science Education | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | During the course of this study-unit, students will tackle a number of multidisciplinary topics from the areas of Earth and planetary science. This will be done through formal lectures as well group discussions and presentations. The most important aspect of this study-unit is that many of the advances in Earth and planetary from recent history are seen as applications of basics physical, chemical and life science principles. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject area is central to the successful completion of the study-unit. The interaction between science and society in regards to communication and ethics is emphasized. Study-Unit Aims: The main aims of this study-unit are for students to: - acquire the skill of understanding and critical evaluation of scientific topics/ideas which might be unfamiliar to them from their previous studies; - produce interdisciplinary presentations about a variety of topics from the fields of Earth and planetary science; and - communicate scientific arguments to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe the structure of the solar system; - identify the different types of astronomical bodies which can be observed in the night sky; - explain that all naturally occurring nuclei are formed inside stars and describe the methods by which the nuclei formed in stars are made available for planetary formation; - list the main stages involved in the formation of the solar system with special focus on the formation of the Earth and the Moon; - appraise the fact that the chemical element abundances at the surface of the Earth are different from those on the surface of the Moon, meteorites and comets; - identify how knowledge of chemical element abundances in different bodies in the solar system has formed the basis of a number of theories concerning Earth science processes; - appraise that the Earth is a dynamic planet and it is not free from astronomical forcing factors; - discuss the fact that astronomical forcing factors operate on a variety of timescales. Some forcing is rhythmic (Milankovitch cycles) while others can be unpredictable and abrupt (Near Earth Objects, NEOs); - distinguish between stable and unstable isotope systems as used in Earth Science; and - discuss the role that studies of stable and unstable isotope geochemistry have played in understanding the evolution of the Earth’s climate system. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - research material related to scientific arguments from the fields of Earth and planetary science and be able to present it in a clear, concise and logical way to different target audiences; - relate scientific theories from the fields of Earth and planetary science to basic scientific principles; - discuss Earth and planetary science topics by adopting an interdisciplinary science approach; and - critically evaluate scientific arguments found in mainstream media and be able to differentiate between scientific and pseudoscientific ideas. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Gilmour, I. (2004) An introduction to astrobiology; Cambridge University Press. Tarbuck, E.J. (2009) Earth Science; Pearson Education. A list of readings will be given during the course of the study-unit. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Ray Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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