| Course Type | Compulsory Course |
|---|
| Course Level | Bachelor's Degree |
|---|
| Year of Study | 2 |
|---|
| Semester | Fourth Term (Spring) |
|---|
| ECTS | 5 |
|---|
| Name of Lecturer(s) |
- |
| Learning Outcomes |
At the end of this course, the students;
- Explain the Earth as an integrated natural system composed of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere, and biosphere,
- Define the basic concepts of systems science, including open/closed systems, mass balance, energy balance, and feedback mechanisms,
- Explain the relationships among atmospheric structure, meteorological variables, energy budget, greenhouse effect, and the climate system,
- Interpret the global water cycle, watershed system, natural flow regimes, ocean system, carbon cycle, and hydro-meteorological hazards at a basic science level.
|
| Mode of Delivery | Face to face |
|---|
| Prerequisites | No |
|---|
| Recommended Optional Programme Components | No |
|---|
| Course Description | This course introduces the Earth as an integrated natural system composed of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere, and biosphere. The course covers systems thinking, mass and energy balance, atmospheric structure, meteorological processes, the Earth's energy budget, the hydrosphere, the global water cycle, watershed systems, natural flow regimes, the ocean system, the carbon cycle, hydro-meteorological natural hazards, and global sustainability at a basic science level. The course aims to provide civil engineering students with a scientific understanding of natural phenomena and Earth system processes before engineering applications. |
|---|
| Course Contents |
| WEEK |
TOPICS |
|
1st Week |
Introduction to Earth system science |
|
2nd Week |
Systems approach in basic sciences |
|
3rd Week |
Atmospheric structure and basic meteorological variables |
|
4th Week |
Solar radiation, Earth's energy budget, and the greenhouse effect |
|
5th Week |
Weather, climate system, and basic principles of atmospheric circulation |
|
6th Week |
Hydrosphere and the global water cycle |
|
7th Week |
Watershed system and natural water budget |
|
8th Week |
Midterm |
|
9th Week |
Runoff generation and natural flow regimes |
|
10th Week |
Ocean system |
|
11th Week |
Relationship of soil, land surface, and vegetation with the water cycle |
|
12th Week |
Global carbon cycle and its relationship with the climate system |
|
13th Week |
Natural variability and global environmental change |
|
14th Week |
Hydro-meteorological natural hazards |
|
15th Week |
Earth system science and global sustainability |
|
| Recommended or Required Reading | 1. Brian J. Skinner, Barbara W. Murck. The Blue Planet: An Introduction to Earth System Science, Wiley, 2011, 3rd Edition.
2. Kump, L.R., Kasting, J.F., Crane, R.G. The Earth System, Pearson, 2009, 3rd Edition.
3. Christopherson, R.W. Geosystems: An Introduction to Physical Geography, Pearson. |
|---|
| Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods |
- Lecture
- Questions/Answers
- Discussion
- Case Study
|
|---|
| Assessment Methods and Criteria |
|
Quantity |
Percentage (%) |
| Mid-term |
1 |
40 |
| Quiz |
1 |
20 |
| Total(%) |
|
60 |
| Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%) |
|
60 |
| Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%) |
|
40 |
| Total(%) |
|
100 |
|
| ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload |
| Activities |
Quantity |
Duration (Hour) |
Total Workload (Hour) |
| Midterm exam |
1 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Preparation for Quiz |
1 |
10 |
10 |
| Individual or group work |
14 |
3 |
42 |
| Preparation for Final exam |
1 |
20 |
20 |
| Course hours |
14 |
4 |
56 |
| Preparation for Midterm exam |
1 |
18 |
18 |
| Laboratory (including preparation) |
|
|
|
| Final exam |
1 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Homework |
|
|
|
| Quiz |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Total Work Load | 150 |
| Total Work Load / 30 (h) | 5 |
| ECTS Credit of the Course | 5 |
|
| Language of Instruction | English |
|---|
| Work Placement(s) | No |
|---|
