EAE3042 Antarctica in the Earth System
Faculty of Science
EAE3042 Antarctica in the Earth System is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs EAE2011.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EAE3042
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After EAE3042
No unit lists EAE3042 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Overview
You will study the role of Antarctica and the southern ocean in earth and climate systems, and the risks that changes in this region poses to society and the environment. You will learn about past changes in Antarctica, how to quantify current climate change impacts, and how to predict how Antarctica will evolve into the future. You will consider processes operating within and between the Antarctic ice sheet, ocean, atmosphere, and solid Earth, and impacts of changes in these systems on the broader earth system. Finally, you will investigate the geopolitical landscape of the Antarctic treaty system, and the role that it plays in determining how Antarctica’s environmental future is safeguarded.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Practical assignmentsDemonstration60%
- EssayWritten20%
- Project20%
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
Formulate a comprehensive assessment of Antarctica’s role in climate and earth systems;
- 2
Analyse the processes underlying ice sheet mass balance in Antarctica, and feedbacks between the ice sheet, ocean, atmosphere, sea ice and solid Earth that impact mass gains and losses;
- 3
Critically evaluate ice sheet model outputs and their utility and limitations in providing accurate and reliable projections of the future of Antarctica;
- 4
Generate new insights in trends and relationships between ice sheet and climate systems by analysing a broad range of physical data;
- 5
Demonstrate expertise in problem solving, including the use of information technology and data handling, communication skills and team work.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories36 hours
- Teaching approachCase-based teaching
- Teaching approachActive learning
12 hours per week, consisting of:
- Two hours of pre-class activities. This will be a mix of pre-recorded videos (i.e. lectures), interviews, activities, and readings;
- Three hours of laboratories and
- Seven hours of self-directed learning, which may include additional pre-class activities, revision, working on assignments, groupwork, or engaging with further self-directed activities.
In lectures you will engage with case studies to understand: the ice sheet and climate systems, feedbacks between them, and how they will be impacted by climate change; the societal and environmental impacts of changes in Antarctica; and the geopolitical importance of Antarctica, including its management under the Antarctic treaty.
In laboratories you will use real world data and models to apply your understanding of the ice sheet system.
Where it fits
EAE3042 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Felicity McCormack
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Felicity McCormack
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EAE3042?
You need EAE2011 before you enrol.
When is EAE3042 offered?
In 2026, EAE3042 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does EAE3042 have an exam?
No. EAE3042 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include EAE3042?
EAE3042 is part of Climate and atmospheric science; and Environmental earth science.