Knowledge of earth science underpins a variety of other sciences, including those that relate to horticulture, agriculture, soil chemistry, environmental issues and atmospheric and weather changes. Currently, there is a shortage of earth scientists in Australia, and future career options are wonderfully varied. These include working in the energy sector, the exploration and mining industries, for government agencies like the CSIRO or in environmental consulting companies.
The Certificate of Earth Science is an online professional development program that will enable you to tackle a range of challenges including acting against pollution and climate change, understanding earthquakes and eruptions, and developing new technologies to counteract some of these issues.
In this earth science course, you will explore the scope and nature of the earth’s forces and structure, including in rocks and minerals, the air and weather and in our tides and oceans.
You will also study global weather patterns, the greenhouse effect, the geological time scale and modern environmental issues like conservation, pollution and waste and resource depletion.
On completion of this course, you will have obtained a richer understanding of the environment and environmental resources, and how you can affect change for the benefit of science, industry and our planet and its inhabitants.
Course Structure
Unit - Earth Science
Unit 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 cones magma, pyroclastic flow
Unit 2 – Rocks and minerals
- Definitions
- Mineral properties; crystalline form, luster, colour, streak, hardness, light transmission cleavage, fracture, etc
- Mineral groups
- Silicates
- Nonsilicate minerals
- Rocks; formation, texture
- Sedimentary rocks; detrital, chemical and biochemical rocks
- Metamorphic rocks
Unit 3 – Surface changes
- Introduction
- Weathering
- Mass wasting
- Erosion
- Glaciers
- Streams; birth of a stream, stream flow, deposited stream sediment
- Ground water and land subsidence
- Aquifers and confining beds
- Soil; parent materia, time, climate, life forms, slope
- Soil profile, horizons
Unit 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
Unit 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
Unit 6 – The greenhouse effect
- Introduction
- Global warming
- Anthropomorphic changes to global climates
- Ozone layer and ozone destruction
- Atmospheric pollutants
Unit 7 – Global weather patterns
- Climate
- Climate classification; tropics, dry climates, humid mid latitude and mild climates, polar climates, etc
Unit 8 – Geological time
- Geological time scale
- Relative dating
- Inclusion
- Correlation
- Types of fossils
- Radiometric dating; radiocarbon dating, radioactivity, half life
- Geological time
Unit 9 – Modern environmental issues
- Balance of nature
- Major current environmental events
- Resource depletion
- Conservation issues
- Pollution and waste
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Easy to follow, some questions require you to do extra research which is fine
L.Elphinstone, Upper Stowport, TAS | Certificate of Earth Science
In my experience on this course, I learned more skills and experience from this course and this course is very helpful to me to build up my capacity in my career.
T. Alefaio, Maylands, WA | Certificate of Earth Science
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for those wishing to gain an understanding of the environment and environmental resources, including atmospheric and weather changes, as well as soil chemistry.
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