0107 Earth Sciences

Earth Sciences is the study of the nature, composition and structure of the Earth including its atmosphere and hydrosphere.

The main purpose of this narrow field of education is to develop an understanding of the physical properties of the Earth’s crust and the characteristics of its soil, landforms, climate, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Courses in Narrow Field 0107 Earth Sciences develop skills in:

• analysing the structure, composition and evolution of the Earth, including its atmosphere and hydrosphere
• identifying and classifying crystals, rocks and minerals
• using geological instruments and field techniques for geological purposes

This narrow field comprises the following detailed fields:

010701  Atmospheric Sciences
010703  Geology
010705  Geophysics
010707  Geochemistry
010709  Soil Science
010711  Hydrology
010713  Oceanography
010799  Earth Sciences, n.e.c.

Atmospheric Sciences is the study of the composition and structure of the earth’s atmosphere and climate.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• atmospheric stability, moisture and motion
• climatology
• meteorology

Geology is the study of origin, composition and structure of the earth.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• coastal and marine geoscience
• sedimentology
• mineralogy
• petrology
• tectonics
• volcanology

Palaeontology. This is included in Detailed Field 019999 Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.

Geophysics is the study of the physical properties of the Earth through collecting and interpreting gravitational, magnetic, seismic and electrical data.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• electrical properties of rocks and minerals
• geomagnetism
• petrophysics
• seismology

Geochemistry is the study of the quantities and distribution of the chemical elements in minerals, ores, rocks, soils, water, and the atmosphere.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• hydrogeochemistry
• sediment geochemistry

Soil Science is the study of the origins, composition, structure and classification of soils.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• soil nutrient and water supply
• soils in the landscape
• the soil environment
• soil mineralogy

Hydrology is the study of the location and movement of inland water, both frozen and liquid, above and below ground.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• flood estimation models and procedures
• groundwater modelling
• water catchments
• water resources

Oceanography is the study of the origins, composition, structure and history of the oceans and the ocean floor.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• chemical and physical properties of seawater
• currents, waves and tides
• ocean floor topography

This detailed field includes all Earth Sciences not elsewhere classified.

Examples of subjects in this detailed field include:

• physical geography