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Unit of study_
GEOS2116: Earth Surface Processes
2026 unit information
The surface of the planet on which you live is the product of a balance between tectonic forces and numerous agents of erosion. The landscapes in which you live and work, and from which you draw resources, are therefore the legacy of many processes operating synchronously over long time periods. It is also true that Earth's landscapes are dynamic, and constantly changing around you in response to climate, tectonics and patterns of life. The sustainable management of landscapes is strongly dependent upon an awareness of those processes and the ways that they constrain human-environment interactions. In Earth Surface Processes, you will learn how landscapes are produced, and what this means for contemporary land use. Lectures by experts in physical geography, geology, soil science and environmental science will introduce you to the planetary and regional-scale controls on landforms and landscape dynamics, and the nature and distribution of major Australian landscape types. Focussed around 'hands on' field and laboratory-based tasks, students will gain essential practical, analytical and interpretive skills in the analysis of landscapes and earth surface processes that shape them. This is a unit for anyone wanting to better understand the planet on which they live.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Geosciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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GEOS1XXX or ENVI1003 |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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GEOS2916 or GEOG2321 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Identify the major planetary- and regional-scale geological, tectonic, and climatic controls on landform and landscape dynamics.
- LO2. Describe and classify common landscape types and explain the processes that govern their form and distribution.
- LO3. Explain and evaluate the influence of geomorphic processes on the management and modification of contemporary landscapes.
- LO4. Interpret stratigraphic facies in terms of the geomorphic processes responsible for their formation
- LO5. Demonstrate understanding of geological time by comparing and applying methods used to date Earth materials.
- LO6. Apply field and laboratory techniques to collect, document, and analyze data on landform processes
- LO7. Use and evaluate spatial analysis and modelling software to investigate earth surface processes and landscape types.
- LO8. Apply critical thinking and develop problem-solving strategies in classroom, field, and laboratory contexts.
- LO9. Communicate complex scientific knowledge, concepts, and ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences using appropriate media
- LO10. Demonstrate safe, ethical, and collaborative professional conduct when working independently or in groups.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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