Earth & Space Sciences

This course is a foundation course for all Earth scientists, as well as students from other disciplines like biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering who wish to understand how our planet operates. The course is taught through the concept of connectivity between the evolution of life, and the physical Earth over time, plate tectonics and the rock cycle, and climate and elemental cycles. It conveys the relevant spatial and temporal length scales involved in Earth processes. Through lectures, innovative hands-on practicals, museum visits and geological tours of Edinburgh, and a field trip, students come to understand how the Earth works as an integrated system of physical processes, life, and climate, and appreciate how our modern world has emerged.

This course presents our planet and its specific features within the solar system and the Universe, as well as its genesis and evolution. The lessons focus on the Earth system, the structure, nature, and dynamics of its solid and fluid envelopes, as well as certain major cycles: the water cycle and the carbon cycle. It also covers the different quantitative and qualitative methods of geological time.

This course introduces students to Earth Science, the multi-disciplinary study of the past, present, and future of planet Earth and other planets in our solar system. The course is in 3 parts. The first part considers the origin of the solid Earth, its atmosphere and oceans and how these have evolved over the past 4,600 million years. The second part examines how surface processes and burial generate the sedimentary rocks that record Earth’s history. The final part reviews the history of life on Earth as recorded in the fossil record, and emphasizes the coupled evolution of the geosphere and biosphere.

This course introduces the basic theories of geophysics, such as the shape of the Earth, the Earth's gravitational field, the Earth's magnetic field, plate tectonic geodynamics, propagation of seismic waves, and the process of earthquake epicenters. Physical phenomena and conditions occurring inside the Earth from the surface to the center of the Earth are analyzed using physical methods and interpretations such as gravity, wave propagation, electricity and magnetism, and heat transfer. 

This is a special studies course involving an internship with a corporate, public, governmental, or private organization, arranged with the Study Center Director or Liaison Officer. Specific internships vary each term and are described on a special study project form for each student. A substantial paper or series of reports is required. Units vary depending on the contact hours and method of assessment. The internship may be taken during one or more terms but the units cannot exceed a total of 12.0 for the year.

The course gives a brief introduction to all fields of astronomy. Overview of general fundamental concepts. The night sky and its motion. Astronomical instruments and observation techniques. The sun and the planetary system, exoplanets. The distances to the stars and their motion. The structure and evolution of stars. The space between the stars. The Milky Way and other galaxies. Theories of the origin and development of the universe.
 

This course examines the science and scientific methods within the life, environmental and Earth sciences. In particular, the course will introduce students to the research undertaken in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) and its application to contemporary environmental problems, management and issues. The course also focuses on skills including relevant quantitative techniques, methods for collecting environmental data including new technologies, sampling and experimental design, methods for visualizing environmental information (graphics, mapping) and communicating results.

This course examines analytical capabilities within GIS, various applications to complex environmental and coastal issues and ethical considerations in using and disseminating geographical information and knowledge. The fundamentals of GIS, spatial modelling and Earth observation will be introduced in the context of environmental and coastal management. Students will build on these foundational concepts through problem-based learning in which GIS methods will be applied to address issues relating to fire and biodiversity, acid sulphate soils, coastal processes and water security. 

This course provides upper-level undergraduate students an holistic overview of physical processes that develop alluvial, eolian, lake, delta, shoreline, and shallow-marine, tidal depositional systems. The focus of this class ranges from applications of the basic principles i.e., sediment transport and depositional mechanics to stratigraphy and basin interpretation in various depositional environments. Topics include Interpreting sedimentary successions, Ichnology and facies models, Siliciclastic facies models, Glacial deposits, Alluvial deposits, Eolian systems, Wave-and storm-dominated shoreline and shallow-marine systems, Tidal depositional systems, Deltas, Transgressive wave-dominated coasts, Deep-marine sediments and sedimentary systems, and Lakes.

Prerequisite: Sedimentary Petrology

This course examines geology, paleontology and Earth’s systems. It covers plate tectonics, the formation of rocks and minerals, the evolution of the atmosphere, and the origin of the hydrosphere. Students will gain knowledge about the evolution of life and what the fossil record tells us about past climates and ecosystems. The course will provide a basis in advanced measurement techniques using ground-, aircraft-, and satellite-based systems. Students will also learn how to use their understanding of geological processes to investigate and manage environmental issues. A comprehensive understanding of Earth’s processes is critical for the development of sustainable societies, protecting our ecosystems, sourcing materials for modern technologies, and economic growth.