This course combines state-of-the-art knowledge from geology, geophysics, geochemistry and other fields of earth sciences to understand the natural processes that have hazardous impacts on society. This course focusses on soil hazards, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, tropical cylcones, severe weather, bushfires and coastal hazards. Further, the impact of climate change on these hazards is discussed.
Lectures in this course are designed as an introduction to the topic and provide students with the scientific principles that underpin each of the major natural hazards. Practicals and one-day fieldtrips (free of charge) are used to illustrate and discuss aspects of each hazard and train hazard and risk assessment practise. Discussion sessions focus on recent scientific findings published in peer-reviewed journals and will train critical reading, thinking and analytical skills.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:• Analyse and explain the temporal and spatial distribution of the most devastating natural hazards throughout the world, (LO1)
• Identify the most effective measures to monitor and mitigate these hazards, (LO2)
• Design, undertake and communicate a basic hazard and risk assessment. (LO3)
Indicative Assessment
Written reports based on the practicals and performance in online quizzes (40%; LO 1-3)-Final paper (in the format of a scientific paper) (40%; LO 1,2)
-Presentation of a scientific journal article (15%; LO 1,2)
-Participation in class discussion during lectures, student presentations of journal articles, field trips, laboratory practicals, (5%; LO 1-3)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
One 1 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical/fieldtrip per week. Students are expected to spend an average of a further 8 hours per week on work related to the course.Preliminary Reading
Recommended Reading: Keller and DeVecchio (2012) Natural Hazards: Earth's Processes as Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall.Recommended preparatory reading: Press and Siever ‘Understanding Earth’ or Kump et al. ‘The Earth System’.
Assumed Knowledge
EMSC6107 Basic knowledge of geoscience.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3480 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4638 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3864 | 15 Feb 2016 | 26 Feb 2016 | 31 Mar 2016 | 27 May 2016 | In Person | N/A |
