Our dynamic planet: Earth and life
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Earth appears constant and unchanging from a human perspective. Yet over the span of geological time, measured in billions of years, it is a dynamic system in which continents move slowly across its surface; mountain belts rise and fall; ocean basins are created and destroyed; the evolution of life itself occurs and all in concert to the pulse of the Earth’s internal energy: heat. But how did all this start? What are the Earth's origins and how does life form part of its pattern? This course tackles these fascinating questions and equips you with the intellectual tools to examine the evidence that is all around us.
Course content
How did the Earth form and evolve into its present state? And how does life fit into this dynamic system? This course explores the structure of the Earth from core to atmosphere, and investigates how the Earth system works from a geological perspective. You will study how the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere all interact to produce the world we live in today.
The course is organised in two halves, based around two new books. The first book, An Introduction to Our Dynamic Planet, investigates the solid Earth (or geosphere); its place in the Solar System; and the processes that have both shaped it in the past and continue to shape it today. After opening chapters on the structure and formation of the Earth and that mysterious time before the geological record, the Hadean, the book focuses on plate tectonics. There are separate chapters on processes at constructive and destructive margins and continental collision zones. These are all regions where the geosphere interacts with the oceans and atmosphere and where the geosphere is currently active. You’ll then look at the deep Earth and how that continues to affect the surface environment, with a final summary of the critical factors that make the Earth operate in the way it does today. All through this course, you’re continually reminded of the ways in which the geosphere interacts with (and reacts to) the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
The second half of the course is based on the book An Introduction to the Earth-Life System and examines the interactions and feedbacks between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere. You will explore how the Earth’s surface environment is a complex interplay between these components. You will also be looking at the variable timescales over which these interactions take place: from the Wilson Cycle – dictated by plate motions operating over hundreds of millions of years – through ice ages of a few million years duration, to the effects of ocean and atmospheric circulation over periods of years, decades and centuries. You will investigate the astronomical controls of climate change; how they are recorded in sedimentary rocks; and the interaction between mountain building, erosion and climate change. You’ll also examine life itself: is it passive, or a force for change driving the environment towards further evolutionary development?
Throughout the course, your studies will be directed via a course website. There will be additional activities, some based around your computer while others involve reading and analysis of sources in the published scientific literature.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course; if you have any doubt about the level of study, please seek advice from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. You are strongly advised to have previously studied Geology (S276) (or the discontinued course S260). Planetary science and the search for life (S283) would also be useful preparation for S279. In addition you should be familiar with the scientific terms and concepts introduced in Exploring science (S104) (or the discontinued course S103), and the level of mathematics in Maths for science (S151). It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully.
We do not recommend that you take S279 as your first course at Level 2, as the content requires a familiarity with scientific language and concepts that are reasonably advanced. Although highly rewarding, it is a challenging course as it requires the ability to take a broad overview of an issue, drawing on evidence from a wide range of sources and science disciplines. It will also equip you with the skills and knowledge required to take on any of our current Level 3 Geosciences courses.
The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S279? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Are you ready for science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
This is an optional course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Environmental Studies (B19)
- BSc (Honours) Geosciences (B25)
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- Diploma in Natural Sciences (D47)
- Diploma in Geosciences (E02)
- Diploma in Molecular Science (E03)
- Diploma in Physical Science (E04)
- Diploma in Life Sciences (E05)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course materials will be available on DVD-ROM in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The course contains many complex diagrams and the most important of these will be described within the PDF e-texts or made available as tactile diagrams. Components may not be fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. The books are available in a comb-bound format. Written transcripts for the audio-visual material are included on the DVD-ROM. The course also involves drawing diagrams and plotting graphs which may be difficult for some students. If you have severely impaired sight, you may need a sighted assistant to be able to make full use of the computer-based resources or complete some of the activities. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting your needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD-ROMs, course website holding other essential course materials, e.g. activity instructions and assignments, which you may choose to print out.
You will need
A scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools and online tutorials that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Environment, Development and International Studies and Science.
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