Geosciences in Singapore

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from http://web.archive.org/web/20121025200003/http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/geog/programmes/minor_geosc.htm

Minor in Geosciences A cross-disciplinary Minor in Geosciences by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science.

Introduction Geosciences – the sciences of the Earth and its environment – are concerned with exploring ideas about the natural world, understanding the physical and chemical processes that determine the distribution of resources, location of hazards and operation of surface processes. Geosciences provide advice and guidance on preserving the environment, rehabilitating damaged ecosystems, determining the environmental impact of certain activities, mitigating environmental hazards and assessing the implications of environmental change. How the earth system will respond to human impact is one of the most pressing issues facing society

The subject area of Geosciences is not well represented in NUS beyond modules in the Department of Geography, nor is there provision in any other tertiary institutions in Singapore. Given the increasing significance of environment on national and international agendas it is timely to consider how to improve awareness of geosciences. A Minor in Geosciences would appeal to:

• Students who are interested in the functioning of environmental processes and concerned about the key issues of climate and environmental change, natural hazards and risk management and sustainable land use.

More specifically, it would appeal to:

• Science-based students who wish to complement their understanding of the physical sciences with an environmental focus; • FASS students (particularly Geography majors) wishing to underpin their environmental knowledge firm a stronger foundation in science; and • Engineering students wishing to complement environmental technology modules. Environmental Science and Engineering (ESE) is supporting the proposal. Although there are several modules in NUS that deal with aspects of environmental technology, there are fewer specifically concerned with environmental processes. An opportunity to obtain a better grounding in the application of science to the understanding of the Earth and its environment would be beneficial to students at this time of increasing concern about environmental management. There are many international applied geosciences companies with regional offices in Singapore providing graduate employment opportunities. By developing a minor that enhances analytical and predictive skills in the geosciences area can contribute to improving Singapore’s competitiveness in this arena and to providing future leaders with enhanced environmental awareness that may influence policy development.

Students will be allowed to use up to 8 MCs to meet the requirements for both the minor and a major or another minor, at the same time. However, the credits for these modules will be counted ONCE. FASS students will still need to fulfill the MCs required for the UE outside major requirements.

NOTES

  • GE2219: Climate Water and Environment was deleted as of AY2008-2009. Students who have read and passed GE2219 before AY2008-2009 can use it to count towards the Geosciences Minor.
  • GE3221: Ecological Systems. Students from cohorts 2006-2008 may use this module to count towards the Minor.

^ GE3880A (Topics module) acceptable when offered on a geological theme. + LSM3251: Ecology and Environmental Processes has been replaced by LSM2251: Ecology and Environment. Students who have read LSM3251 will not be able to read LSM2251. + LSM3271: Forest Ecology has been replaced by LSM3255: Ecology of Terrestrial Environments. Students who have read LSM3271 will not be able to read LSM3255. + LSM1304: Microbes, Environment and Man. This module is no longer offered as of AY2009/2010. Students who have read and passed the module may use the module to count towards the Minor.

LSM2251 will serve as a pre-requisite to LSM3254 and LSM3255.

The modules listed as Foundation Science include alternative modules based on prior experience.

• PC1141 and PC 1142 are modules requiring A-level Physics. PC 1221 is an introductory module for students without A-level Physics, while PC1431 is tailored for Engineering students • CM1111 requires A-Level Chemistry. CM1417 is for students without A-level Chemistry. • LSM1103 is a fundamental pre-requisite for all the LSM electives listed. Students who have taken A-level or H2 Biology will not be able to read LSM1301: General Biology. Students without A-level or H2 Biology are required to read LSM1301: General Biology before proceeding to read other LSM modules listed in the Minor.

See Also