Corequisite majors: Physics
Description:
Physical processes in the Earth’s interior, in the ocean and in the atmosphere govern the evolution of Earth’s surface, control natural disasters and dictate our climate and its variability. Understanding these processes requires a solid foundation in fundamental physics and mathematics, coupled with detailed knowledge of the Earth system. This Earth Physics Specialisation will provide students with the detailed knowledge of Earth processes in fields ranging from earthquakes to ocean circulation, from atmospheric radiation to the structure of Earth’s core and from ice sheets to mantle convection; and will equip students with the tools to solve problems in these areas.
A key component of modern Earth Physics is prediction using numerical, or computational, models. The Earth Physics Specialisation includes a core component of quantitative prediction, applying physical principles by solving equations numerically. There is also a strong emphasis on interpreting complex and/or large datasets using computational tools, and applying these lessons to real-world problems.
The Earth Physics Specialisation will equip students to work in applied science, big data and computation, or to progress to further study.
Learning Goals:
On completing the specialisation in Earth Physics students will be able to:
- Understand how to represent processes in and on the Earth through simple numerical models.
- Derive numerical estimates of geophysical processes from observations through the use of appropriate theoretical representations of the processes.
- Undertake group laboratory experiments that mimic Earth processes and use their own observations to gain understanding of the processes.
- Think critically and assimilate information from different disciplines in order to solve problems related to geophysics.
- Generate observational datasets and associated numerical models as well as undertake associated statistical analyses.
- Present research outcomes in scientific reports and seminars to inform expert and non-expert audiences on conceptual and quantitative description of Earth processes.
Learning Outcomes
On completing the specialisation in Earth Physics students will be able to:
- Understand how to represent processes in and on the Earth through simple numerical models.
- Derive numerical estimates of geophysical processes from observations through the use of appropriate theoretical representations of the processes.
- Undertake group laboratory experiments that mimic Earth processes and use their own observations to gain understanding of the processes.
- Think critically and assimilate information from different disciplines in order to solve problems related to geophysics.
- Generate observational datasets and associated numerical models as well as undertake associated statistical analyses.
- Present research outcomes in scientific reports and seminars to inform expert and non-expert audiences on conceptual and quantitative description of Earth processes.
Other Information
Advice to Students
The specialisation in Earth Physics is specifically aimed at students with strong interests in physics and/or mathematics.
Students must ensure they have taken the prerequisite courses in maths and physics needed for the compulsory courses of this specialisation.
Students should seek further course advice from one of the academic conveners of the Earth Physics specialisation.
A specialisation in Earth Physics must be taken in conjunction with a Physics, Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Earth Science or Water Science major.
Back to the top
Requirements
Specialisation Requirements
This specialisation requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:
12 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS3202 | Fluids and Plasma | 6 |
| PHYS3070 | Physics of the Earth | 6 |
12 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EMSC2021 | Fundamentals of Climate System Science | 6 |
| EMSC2022 | Introduction to Global Geophysics | 6 |
| EMSC3032 | Melting Polar Ice Sheets, Sea Level Variations and Climate Change | 6 |
| EMSC3033 | Applied Geophysics | 6 |
| EMSC3034 | Dynamic Earth: Plates, Plumes and Mantle Convection | 6 |
| EMSC3050 | Special Topics | 6 |
