EARTH SCIENCE - BEN204

Study Earth Science

Gain a fascinating understanding of the world around you. Learn about the complex and dynamic forces that shape the Earth and the environment we live in at your own pace by distance education.

Earth Science develops an ability to identify and describe the Earth, its structure and explain processes that affect change in the structure and composition of the earth. Learn about rocks and minerals, meteorology, global weather patterns, the oceans, surface chances (e.g. earthquakes and volcanoes), geological time and more.

Graduate John Maher says "I found the assignments very informative and was set out very well." This made it much easier for John to understand in comparison to his previous studies.

"Thanks very much for your help and I will go back to you guys for further study anytime."

A Foundation in Atmospheric and Earth Science

More now than ever it is important to understand the processes that shape our world, this course looks at the science behind many of the important environmental issues that we now face. Learn now about why global warming is important, how it is affected by ocean currents and man's activities, learn about the effects of atmospheric pollutants on the air we breathe and how the physical geography of your area affects the local climate. There is so much to understand about where we live, and this is a great place to start!

 

Take a journey into the fascinating world of earth science

  • Learn about the dynamic forces that shape the world you see today.
  • Discover the science behind current environmental issues such as global warming and greenhouse gasses.
  • Investigate the complex interactions that drive climate and environmental conditions throughout the world.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

There are 9 lessons as follows:

1. Structure and Forces

  • Scope and Nature of the Earth and it's Structure
  • Continental and Oceanic Crust
  • Continental Drift
  • Sea Floor Spreading
  • Plate Tectonics
  • Plate Boundaries; divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries
  • Transform Faults
  • Volcanoes; shield volcanoes, cinder cones, composite conesmagma, pyroclastic flow

2. Rocks and Minerals

  • Definitions
  • Mineral Properties; crystaline form, luster, colour, streak, hardness, light transmissioncleavage, fracture, etc
  • Mineral Groups
  • Silicates
  • Nonsilicate Minerals
  • Rocks; formation, texture
  • Sedimentary Rocks; derital, chemical and biochemical rocks
  • Metamorphic Rocks

3. Surface Changes

  • Introduction
  • Weathering
  • Mass Wasting
  • Erosion
  • Glaciers
  • Streams; birth of a stream, stream flow, deposited stream sediment
  • Ground Water and Land Subsidence
  • Aquifiers and Confining Beds
  • Soil; parent material, time, climate, life forms, slope
  • Soil Profile, horizons

4. The Oceans

  • Scope and Nature of Oceans
  • Sea Water
  • Currents
  • Coriolis Effect
  • Geostrophic Flow
  • Land Scale Currents
  • Convergence and Divergence
  • El Nino
  • Waves
  • Tides
  • The Ocean Floor
  • Shorelines
  • The Marine Food Chain

5. Air and Weather

  • The Hydrological Cycle
  • The Atmosphere
  • Atmosphere and Circulation of Essential Elements
  • Structure of the Atmosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Seasons
  • Solar Radiation
  • The Greenhouse Effect
  • Weather
  • Temperature Control
  • Air Pressure
  • Wind; Local Winds, Wind Erosion, Wind in Arid Climates
  • Thunderstorms
  • Tropical Cyclones
  • Tornadoes

6. The Greenhouse Effect

  • Introduction
  • Global Warming
  • Anthropomorphic Changes to Global Climates
  • Ozone Layer and Ozone Destruction
  • Atmospheric Pollutants

7. Global Weather Patterns

  • Climate
  • Climate Classification
  • Tropics 
  • Dry Climates 
  • Humid Mid Latitude
  • Mild Climates
  • Polar Climates etc

8. Geological Time

  • Geological Time Scale
  • Relative Dating
  • Inclusion
  • Correlation
  • Types of Fossils
  • Radiometric Dating; radiocarbon dating, radioactivity, half life
  • Geological Time

9. Modern Environmental Issues

  • Balance of Nature
  • Major Current Environmental Events
  • Resource Depletion
  • Conservation Issues
  • Pollution and Waste
  • Describe the major structural elements of Earth and the major internal forces which affect them.
 
Duration: 100 hours
 

Career Tips

  • Ensure your skills are up to date, by pursuing further studies or attending professional development activities.
  • Keep up to date with what's happening in the field of Earth Science. Where is there likely to be more work?
  • Join a networking group to meet people who are working in the field of Earth Science and Geology.
  • Get some experience. Whether paid or unpaid, experience will always make your CV look more impressive and give you some practical knowledge to apply in your interview.

 


WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

ENROL TODAY!


Just go to the top of this page for pricing and enrolment options. If you have any questions you can contact us now, by:
Phone (UK) 01384 44272, (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or

Email us at [email protected]