Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

The aim of the course is to present: 1. the elements, structure and functioning of the Earth's system and its subsystems, 2. the spatial differentiation of the Earth's physical and geographic environment, 3. the cause-and-effect relationships between individual environmental elements and subsystems on a global scale

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Syllabus

The structure of the Earth system: Earth as a planet (the origin of the Earth, solar energy and Earth's energy balance, etc.)

Planetary subsystems and their functioning: atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere, lithosphere

Phenomena in the atmosphere: global atmospheric circulation; weather and climate; global ocean circulation and ocean-atmosphere interactions

The global hydrological cycle

Geological cycle and plate tectonics, modern morphogenetic processes

Soil-forming processes and soil cover

Components of the natural environment, relations between them

The evolution of the Earth's system and its subsystems

Reading list

a)basic literature

• Craig J.R., Vaughan, D.J., Skinner, B.J., 2003: Zasoby Ziemi. PWN, Warszawa.
• Stanley S.M., 2002: Historia Ziemi. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa.

1. b) advanced literature

 Allen P.A., 2000: Procesy kształtujące powierzchnię Ziemi. Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, Warszawa. Rozdziały 1 i 2.

• Hamblin W.K., Christiansen, E.H., 2012: Earth's Dynamic Systems. Web Edition 1.0: http://earthds.info/index.html
• Hamblin W.K., Christiansen E.H., 2004: Earth Dynamic Systems. Tenth Edition. Prentice Hall.
• Huddart D., Stott T., 2010: Earth Environments. Past, Present and Future. Wiley – Blackwell.
• Park Ch., 1997: The Environment, Principles and Applications. Routledge.