Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science Syllabus1. Age of Earth- Introduction to the concept of geological time
- Methods used to determine the age of the Earth
- Overview of major geological events and eras
2. Modern & Ancient Processes- Study of geological processes that shape the Earth's surface
- Comparison of modern processes with ancient processes
- Analysis of the impact of these processes on the environment
3. Interior of the Earth- Investigation of the Earth's layers and their composition
- Exploration of plate tectonics and its role in shaping the Earth's surface
- Examination of earthquakes and volcanoes as evidence of Earth's internal processes
4. Earth’s atmosphere- Understanding the composition and structure of the Earth's atmosphere
- Analysis of the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate
- Study of atmospheric phenomena such as weather patterns and climate change
5. Water and Life on Other Planets- Exploration of the presence of water on other planets and its potential for supporting life
- Investigation of the conditions necessary for life to exist on other planets
- Analysis of the search for extraterrestrial life
6. Origin of life- Examination of the theories and hypotheses on the origin of life on Earth
- Analysis of the conditions necessary for the emergence of life
- Exploration of the early evolution of life forms
7. Evidence for a ‘sixth extinction’- Study of the current extinction crisis and its causes
- Analysis of the impact of human activities on biodiversity
- Investigation of strategies for conservation and preservation of species
8. Evidence for changes to the Australian environment- Examination of evidence for environmental change in Australia
- Analysis of the impact of climate change, deforestation, and pollution on Australian ecosystems
- Study of the efforts and initiatives to mitigate environmental damage
9. Plate Tectonic Theory- Understanding the theory of plate tectonics and continental drift
- Exploration of the different types of plate boundaries and their associated geological features
- Analysis of the impact of plate tectonics on the Earth's surface
10. Measuring Plate Movement- Investigation of techniques used to measure and monitor plate movement
- Analysis of data collected from GPS, seismographs, and satellite imagery
- Study of the implications of plate movement on natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
11. Geothermal Energy- Exploration of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source
- Analysis of the geothermal resource in Australia and its potential for power generation
- Study of the environmental impacts and sustainability of geothermal energy
12. Predicting the Weather- Understanding the principles and techniques used in weather prediction
- Analysis of weather patterns, atmospheric conditions, and climate models
- Examination of the impact of weather prediction on human activities and decision-making
13. Climate Change and the Global Ocean Conveyor- Study of climate change and its impact on the Earth's oceans
- Analysis of the global ocean conveyor belt and its role in regulating climate
- Exploration of the consequences of disruptions to the ocean conveyor on global climate patterns
14. Biological Soil Crusts and Nutrient in Australian Rangelands- Understanding the importance of soil crusts in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning
- Exploration of the role of biological soil crusts in Australian rangelands
- Analysis of the impact of land management practices on soil crusts and nutrient availability
15. Closed Ecosystem Models- Investigation of closed ecosystem models and their applications in scientific research
- Analysis of the components and interactions within closed ecosystems
- Study of the benefits and limitations of closed ecosystem models in understanding ecological processes
16. Marine Primary Production- Understanding the process of primary production in marine ecosystems
- Exploration of the factors influencing marine primary production
- Analysis of the role of marine primary production in global carbon cycling and food webs
By covering these topics, the Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science syllabus aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and processes related to the Earth and its environment. This knowledge will enable students to analyze and critically evaluate environmental issues and contribute to sustainable practices.
This course is helpful for the following exams: Year 11