Earth Science

  1. Courses
    2. >
  2. Environment & Wildlife Courses
    3. >
  3. Earth Science

Earth Science


Earth Science

Course Code BEN204
Qualification Statement of Attainment
Payment Options Upfront & Payment Plans
Delivery Online & Correspondence
Duration 100 Hours

Earth Science BEN204
 

The study of Earth Science provides a foundation that underpins knowledge in many other sciences - atmospheric and weather changes, environmental issues, horticulture and agriculture, and more. 

This fascinating course develops your an ability to identify and describe the Earth and its structure, and explain processes that effect change in the structure and its composition. An understanding of the Earth's processes is essential for anyone interested in environmental issues and management of natural resources as well ecotourism operators and those just interested in the world around them. Lessons include: rocks and minerals, meteorology, global weather patterns and atmospherics, the oceans, surface chances (eg. earthquakes and volcanoes), geological time, plate tectonics and more. 

There are 9 lessons in this course:

  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 conesmagma, pyroclastic flow
       
  2. Rocks and Minerals
    • Definitions
    • Mineral Properties; crystaline form, luster, colour, streak, hardness, light transmissioncleavage, fracture, etc
    • Mineral Groups
    • Silicates
    • Nonsilicate Minerals
    • Rocks; formation, texture
    • Sedimentary Rocks; derital, chemical and biochemical rocks
    • Metamorphic Rocks
       
  3. Surface Changes
    • Introduction
    • Weathering
    • Mass Wasting
    • Erosion
    • Glaciers
    • Streams; birth of a stream, stream flow, deposited stream sediment
    • Ground Water and Land Subsidence
    • Aquifiers and Confining Beds
    • Soil; parent materia, time, climate, life forms, slope
    • Soil Profile, horizons
       
  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
       
  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
       
  6. The Greenhouse Effect
    • Introduction
    • Global Warming
    • Anthropomorphic Changes to Global Climates
    • Ozone Layer and Ozone Destruction
    • Atmospheric Pollutants
       
  7. Global Weather Patterns
    • Climate
    • Climate Classification; Tropics, Dry Climates, Humid Mid Latitude and Mild Climates, Polar Climates, etc
       
  8. Geological Time
    • Geological Time Scale
    • Relative Dating
    • Inclusion
    • Correlation
    • Types of Fossils
    • Radiometric Dating; radiocarbon dating, radioactivity, half life
    • Geological Time
       
  9. Modern Environmental Issues
    • Balance of Nature
    • Major Current Environmental Events
    • Resource Depletion
    • Conservation Issues
    • Pollution and Waste

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims:

  • Describe the major structural elements of Earth and the major internal forces which affect them.
  • Classify rocks and minerals according to their characteristics and formation.
  • Explain external processes that that cause topographic and soil changes on the earth’s surface.
  • Describe the oceans of the earth and their role in global processes.
  • Describe the earth’s atmosphere and the forces which create weather.
  • Describe some well known effects of particular atmospheric conditions like the Greenhouse effect.
  • Identify global weather patterns and their relationship to different climates.
  • Describe the way in which the earth’s surface has changed over time.
  • Identify environmental issues which are of current significance.

Request your free info pack today!

Finance options

If you are an Irish citizen you may be eligible to receive financial support, meaning you can defer payment of your course fees. Additionally, if you are a resident of Ireland, you may also be eligible to receive a student grant under the Student Grant Scheme

Student support

We live in a society where the pressures of daily living are high with financial expenses, personal and work commitments, and mortgage and rental obligations. Then there are the unexpected life challenges that also get thrown our way. With this in mind the thought of taking on study can be daunting for most people. Here at Learning Cloud we understand that life doesn’t run in a straight line it has many ups and downs.

As an enrolled student at Learning Cloud, you are entitled to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Services Unit. These supports are designed to walk beside you throughout your studies they will assist you in life’s ups and downs to provide you the best opportunity to successfully complete your chosen course.

STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

  • Careers Counselling Service
  • General Counselling Service
  • Disability Liaison Service
  • Retention & Engagement Service
  • Student Activities
  • Accommodation
  • E Counselling
  • Your-Tutor
  • Parent support
  • Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)

Call our student support today on 041 214 0000 or Email Faculty

Get more information

Want more information about financial and student support? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

How will this course advance my career?

Learning Cloud programs have been developed in response to industry demand and are specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks and Real-world exercises are used throughout the program.

Studies prove, time and again, that college-educated workers earn more than those with only a high school qualification. College graduates often enjoy additional benefits, including greater job opportunities and promotions. Though the proof for greater earning potential exists, some might wonder whether the cost of the education warrants the overall expense in the long run.

College Graduate vs. Non-Graduate Earnings

The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) analyses employee earnings data biennially, according to education level. Findings indicate that workers with a qualification earn significantly more than those without. Since the mid-1980s, education has played a large part in potential wages, with bachelor's degree holders taking home an average of 66% more than those with only a high school diploma do. While college-educated workers' wages have increased over the past two decades, those with only a high school education have seen decreases in annual salaries in the same time period (nces.ed.gov).

How else will I benefit from studying with Learning Cloud?

  • Studying online or distance means you can study where you want and at your own pace.
  • Receive career-focused training with practical, hands-on learning.
  • All course materials are provided and all digital platforms are interactive, work on any device and designed to be fun.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning or Skills Recognition may be available for previous work experience, formal training or qualifications in this field.

THANK YOU