1. To develop a basic understanding of the most essential natural and physical processes that have shaped the Earth throughout its history and continue to shape the planet and the life on it today. These include, for example:
• The structure and large-scale movement of the Earth’s interior, and effects of this on the surface of the Earth including earthquakes and plate tectonics • The nature and movement of water in the Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and land.
• The Solar System and Planetary Astronomy, including the Earth/Sun and Earth/Moon system
2. To develop a basic understanding of the interconnected and dynamic nature of all processes on and around Earth Modern Earth science is not a static collection of rocks or memorized lists of facts. Earth science more than other “basic” sciences is more about similar processes occurring over different time scales in different materials, and is, therefore, highly interdisciplinary and integrated. Understanding the Earth involves understanding integrated systems, and the interactions of all the component parts.
3. To build confidence and familiarity with scientific inquiry, analysis, and quantification. Investigating scientific ideas personally is the best way to build understanding of science, and it may help development of your math and other quantitative skills, as well as general abilities to develop and test hypotheses.
