Earth and Environmental Science is a comprehensive course text for HSC Earth and Environmental Science students. It is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Preliminary Earth and Environmental Science course in NSW and build a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding for the Year 12 HSC course. Students undertaking other courses in Biology and Environmental Science will find the text of value. The text provides a detailed coverage of both global and Australian systems and issues arising from the interaction between humans and the environments they inhabit. It covers the four core modules of the Preliminary course: Planet Earth and its Environment, The Local Environment, Water Issues and The Dynamic Earth. A feature of the text is that related issues are cross referenced in the text. Each chapter features a set of clearly stated knowledge, understanding and skills outcomes related to the content of the chapter.

 

There are 274 pages in this book. This book was published 2002 by Cambridge University Press .

Iain Imlay- Gillespie has taught science and environmental science at all levels in NSW and overseas and is currently head of science at Nagle College, Blacktown. He has extensive experience as an examiner, marker and curriculum developer. Chris Huxley has had wide experience in teaching all branches of science at the senior level. He is currently Head of Science at Blue Mountains Grammar, and has been an examiner, marker and curriculum designer.

This book has the following chapters: Introduction; Part I. Planet Earth and its Environment: 1. Observing our universe; 2. The origin of the universe; 3. The Sun and the solar system; 4. The early Earth and its atmosphere; 5. The early Earth and the start of life; Part II. Dynamic Earth: 6. Dating rocks and other materials; 7. Plate movements; 8. Magnetism and the wandering poles; 9. Tectonic forces; Part III. The Local Environment: 10. The local environment as a system; 11. The elements of lithosphere and landscape; 12. Soils - features and formations; 13. Adaptations and survival in disturbed habitats; 14. Human impacts on the environment; 15. Balancing development and conservation; 16. Biodiversity; Part IV. Water Issues: 17. Water movements on the Earth; 18. Water and Australian environments; 19. Water and weathering; 20. Water resources - past and present; Part V. Effective Research: Answering and asking questions; Glossary; Index.