Earth’s evolution

Aim of the discipline – to introduce students with general principles and concepts about the Earth as integrated planetary system that consists of different components – lithosphere, core, mantle, hydrosphere and atmosphere. These interconnected components act as a whole system from the point of view of planetary evolution of the Earth in time and space.

Academic discipline «Earth’s evolution» is part of education and professional training program for the education level «master» branch of knowledge 10 - Natural Science of speciality 103 - Earth Sciences, educational program – geology, geochemistry, geophysics.

The discipline is taught in the 1st semester of 1 year Master’s degree program in volume - 120 hours (4 credits ECTS) including lectures - 28 hours, seminars – 10 hours, consultations - 2 hours, self-study work - 80 hours. The course content provides two modules and modular test. The discipline finished by modular test.

• The tasks
  • ideas about the Earth as an unique planet of the Solar system;
  • current ideas about evolution of the early Earth;
  • peculiar features of Hadean period of Earth evolution;
  • typical characteristics of Archean cratons with Ukrainian Shield as one of the examples;
  • formation of supercontinents during Proterozo³c period of Earth evolution and associated events;
  • modern style plate tectonics as tectonic regime typical of Phanerozoic time of Earth evolution.
• The results of study - to know:
  • Current ideas about Earth evolution in time and space
  • Current ideas about Earths in the Solar system and the Universe
  • Current ideas about meteorite classification and primitive Earth composition, giant impact model and Moon formation.
  • Current ideas about Hadean Earth – Earth’s core formation, terrestrial magma oceans, early Earth crust
  • Current ideas about Archean Earth – cratons, greenstone belts, komatiites, reduced atmosphere, flat subduction and sugduction mode
  • Current ideas about Earth in Proterozoic – supercontinental cycles, atmosphere oxygenation (GOE – great oxidation event), global glaciations (snowbal Earth)
  • Current ideas about Earth in Phanerozoic – modern style plate tectonics, large igneous provinces, mass extinction events
• The results of study - to be able:
  • Analyze general trends, features and peculiarities of Earth’s evolution in time and space
  • Analyze geological paper published in current periodicals in English with following preparation of brief summary
  • Prepare a presentation in English about fundamental principles of geology with using computer technology and acquire the ability to present a presentation to the audience.