Planet Earth
UndergraduateTAS-KEA1012024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Planet Earth
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Describe scientific theories relevant to the workings of the Earth and other planets.
- Identify and explain how Earth processes form the world around us.
- Collect, analyse, and interpret geological data using a variety of field and lab-based techniques.
- Integrate geological information/data sets to explain the evolution of Earth environments.
- Early Earth and planets
- Minerals
- Intrusives
- Volcanoes
- Sedimentary processes and environments
- Hydrogeology
- Metamorphism
- Structural geology
- Earthquakes and earth structure
- Plate tectonics
- Geological evolution of Tasmania
- Sustainable resources
Planet Earth has been shaped over 4.5 billion years by ever-changing dynamic processes. These processes can help us to understand how the Earth formed, has evolved, and will continue to change, from its deep internal structure to its more familiar outer surface. In this subject, we will scale the highest mountains and plunge into the deepest oceans in our quest to better understand the driving forces that shape the world we know today. In the practicals, you will learn to read the messages encoded in rocks and minerals which provide clues on how different Earth environments have evolved over millions and billions of years – and what these tell us about the future of our planet. You will learn to see the landscape with new eyes and be challenged to apply your skills in through field-based activities. KEA101 is a required subject in the Earth Sciences major and prerequisite for the study of Earth Science subjects at second year level. This subject is suitable for general science and arts students with an interest in the workings of Planet Earth.
- Lecture Quizzes (10%)
- Practical Tests (10%)
- Examination - Take Home (40%)
- Practicals (30%)
- Excursion (10%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 20
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 19
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: 1 x 1-hr online tutorial (13 weeks), 3-hr lab weekly (12 weeks) 1 x 3 hr and 1 x 6 hr virtual field excursion *Please check that your computer meets the minimum system requirements if you are attending via distance/off-campus.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-PSC-DEG
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-BBS-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)
UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)
UndergraduateTAS-SCG-DEG
Diploma of Applied Technologies (Specialisation)
UndergraduateTAS-APT-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.