EAE1011 The Earth system: From the core to the atmosphere
Faculty of Science
EAE1011 The Earth system: From the core to the atmosphere is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 3 units, leading on to 12 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before EAE1011
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After EAE1011
3 units list EAE1011 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
PROHIBITION: ENV1011 and ESC1011
Overview
This unit is a core unit for further studies in geosciences, climate and atmospheric science, and environmental earth science.
The Earth is a constantly changing complex system involving many physical, chemical, and biological processes both at the surface and below our feet. In this unit, you will be introduced to the science used to understand the Earth system, how it changes over time, and how the Earth system may evolve into the future. We look at the formation and structure of the Earth and its changing environment.
We will learn about how fieldwork, practical exercises, simple models, and spatial data help us understand our planet's history and predict its future. We will also study the processes that drive change within our planet and its environmental systems: from the formation of the Earth's core to its crust; to the systems driving and sustaining the planet's living surface; to the forces and processes involved in the formation of mountains and oceans; and our changing atmosphere and climate.
At the completion of this unit, you will have a clear understanding of the structure and nature of the Earth, the interaction between the different spheres of the Earth and how the Earth has changed over time
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- QuizzesQuiz / Test60%
- Field tripExercise20%
- Data presentationWritten20%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Define the structure and materials of the whole Earth, including the core, mantle, lithosphere, land surface, oceans and atmosphere and describe how our understanding of these has changed over time.
- 2
Summarise how the energy, water, biogeochemical, rock, and plate tectonic cycles work, and explain how they act to change the Earth system over time.
- 3
Synthesise and explain the physical, chemical, and biological processes that have shaped and continue to change the solid Earth, land surface, oceans, and atmosphere.
- 4
Demonstrate how scientists collect, record, visualise, map, and analyse data in space and time to observe, model and predict deep Earth, climate, and surface processes.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops12 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachEnquiry-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachField trips
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Total 144 hours over 12 weeks, which includes:
- Three hours of own time material including videos and activities;
- Two hours of practical sessions;
- One hour of workshops and
- Five hours of self-directed learning per week.
Plus
- One full day field trip (8 hours) and asynchronous assessment (4 hours)
Examples of this will be used in practical and workshop classes.
Science rarely is conducted alone. The workshops will provide an opportunity to work with others to clarify your own learning and improve your projects.
Examples of this will be used in practical and workshop classes.
A combination of face to face learning and on line learning with an active learning approach. As a result of the hands-on nature of this discipline, all weekly practical classes will be assessed, and attendance at them, whether in person or on line, should be considered compulsory.
A one day (8 hour) field trip is part of this unit. It has been designed to be accessible. It shows the application of classroom and theoretical learning to the real world.
Examples of this will be used in practical classes
Learning resources
Required resources
Readings will be provided via Moodle.
Technology resources
You are expected to have a suitable laptop computer as per the Monash BYOD requirements.
Where it fits
EAE1011 is part of 9 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
- CLATMSCI02Core unitsClimate and atmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- CLATMSCI04Core unitsClimate and atmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- CLATMSCI05Core unitsClimate and atmospheric scienceNo reviews yet
- ENVEASCI01Level 1 unitsEnvironmental earth scienceNo reviews yet
- ENVEASCI02Core studiesEnvironmental earth scienceNo reviews yet
- ENVEASCI03Level 1 unitsEnvironmental earth scienceNo reviews yet
- GEOSCIEN01Level 1 unitsGeoscienceNo reviews yet
- GEOSCIEN02Level 1 unitsGeoscienceNo reviews yet
- GEOSCIEN03Level 1 unitsGeoscienceNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Sophia Tsang
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Sophia Tsang
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EAE1011?
EAE1011 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after EAE1011?
EAE1011 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including EAE2011, EAE2522 and EAE3051. Those lead on to 12 units in all.
When is EAE1011 offered?
In 2026, EAE1011 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is EAE1011?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EAE1011 have an exam?
No. EAE1011 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include EAE1011?
EAE1011 is part of Climate and atmospheric science; Environmental earth science; and Geoscience.