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Certificate of Earth Science

The Certificate of Earth Science is an online program that will enable you to tackle a range of challenges including acting against pollution and climate change, understanding earthquakes and eruptions, and developing new technologies to counteract some of these issues. In this professional development course, you will explore the scope and nature of the earth’s forces and structure, including in rocks and minerals, the air and weather and in our tides and oceans.
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Start Anytime
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Delivery Method
100% Online
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Study Hours
50 hours
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Course Access
12 Months

Whether you seek insights into earth science for mining, environmental management, education, conservation, or personal interest, this course will satisfy your curiosity and professional development.

The Certificate of Earth Science is a professional development course that offers a comprehensive introduction to the dynamic systems that shape our planet.

In this online earth science course, you will explore rocks, minerals, and the natural resources they provide and learn about the environmental consequences of resource extraction, highlighting the connection between geology and sustainability. You will also learn about weathering, erosion, glaciers, streams, and soil that shape the Earth’s surface.

You will learn about oceanic and atmospheric systems, including currents, tides, and El Niño, while addressing human impacts on marine environments and exploring the geological time scale and fossil record. You will also explore environmental challenges such as climate change, ozone depletion, and pollution.

On completion of this course, you’ll have a solid foundation in Earth science for personal or professional development.

Printed learning materials may be available free to print for this course. Requests can be made by contacting us. 

Course Structure
Unit - Certificate of Earth Science

Unit 1: Earth’s Structure and Forces

  • Structure of Earth: core, mantle, crust
  • Properties of continental vs. oceanic crust
  • Continental drift theory and evidence
  • Sea-floor spreading and mid-ocean ridges
  • Plate tectonics theory
  • Plate boundaries:
    • Divergent
    • Convergent
    • Transform faults
  • Volcanoes:
    • Shield volcanoes
    • Cinder cones
    • Composite cones
  • Volcanic materials: magma types, pyroclastic flows
  • Earthquakes and seismic waves

Unit 2: Rocks, Minerals, and Resources

  • What are minerals?
    • Crystalline structure
    • Luster, streak, color, hardness
    • Cleavage, fracture, light transmission
  • Mineral groups:
    • Silicates
    • Non-silicates
  • Rock formation and texture
  • Types of rocks:
    • Igneous
    • Sedimentary
    • Metamorphic
  • Rock cycle overview
  • Resource extraction and its impact

Unit 3: Surface Changes and Soil Systems

  • Weathering: mechanical and chemical
  • Mass wasting and landslides
  • Erosion processes: wind, water, ice
  • Glaciers and glacial landforms
  • Streams:
    • Stream formation
    • Sediment transport
  • Groundwater systems:
    • Aquifers
    • Land subsidence
  • Soil:
    • Formation factors (parent material, time, climate, life, slope)
    • Soil horizons and profiles

Unit 4: Oceans and Coastal Systems

  • Characteristics of seawater
  • Ocean currents:
    • Surface and deep currents
    • Coriolis effect and geostrophic flow
  • Coastal processes:
    • Waves, tides, shoreline features
  • Phenomena:
    • El Niño and La Niña
  • Ocean floor mapping
  • Marine ecosystems and food chains
  • Human impact on marine environments

Unit 5: Air, Weather, and Climate Systems

  • Hydrological cycle overview
  • Atmospheric layers:
    • Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere
  • Energy balance and solar radiation
  • Greenhouse effect basics
  • Weather processes:
    • Temperature, pressure, and wind systems
  • Weather events:
    • Thunderstorms
    • Cyclones
    • Tornadoes
  • Climate zones and weather forecasting

Unit 6: Climate Change and Atmospheric Science

  • Global warming science
  • Human-driven climate changes
  • Ozone layer depletion:
    • Causes and effects
  • Major atmospheric pollutants
  • Mitigation strategies for climate change

Unit 7: Geological Time and Fossil Records

  • Geological time scale
  • Methods of dating rocks:
    • Relative dating principles
    • Radiometric dating (half-life, radiocarbon dating)
  • Fossil formation and types
  • Correlation techniques across regions
  • Major geological eras and events

Unit 8: Modern Environmental Issues

  • Ecosystem balance and human impacts
  • Major environmental events
  • Resource depletion and sustainability
  • Pollution sources and types
  • Waste management and conservation strategies
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Estimated Duration
50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

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Career Outcomes

Professional development for those wishing to gain an understanding of the environment and environmental resources, including atmospheric and weather changes, as well as soil chemistry.

Flexible and self-paced. Useful study materials with up-to-date information. Thank you.
Avatarneutral
Monica
St Mary’s, NSW
Certificate of Earth Science
December 2025
In my experience on this course, I learned more skills and experience from this course and this course is very helpful to me to build up my capacity in my career.
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T. A.
Maylands, WA
Certificate of Earth Science
July 2023
Easy to follow, some questions require you to do extra research which is fine
Avatarneutral
L. Elphinstone
Upper Stowport, TAS
Certificate of Earth Science
June 2022
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Certificate of Earth Science
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About Us

At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping individuals from diverse backgrounds achieve their career goals. Since 2008, we have created opportunities for people in Australia and around the world.

Our Difference

What sets us apart is that we genuinely care about your career development. That’s why flexible study schedules, competitive pricing and exceptional customer and student support are at the heart of what we do. Our comprehensive courses, developed in consultation with industry employers, provide the skills and knowledge necessary for success in your current role or to pursue new opportunities.

Our state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, enrol today and get the skills and confidence you need to achieve your career dreams, big or small.

Graduation

A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.

How to Enrol

You can enrol online by clicking Get Started on any course page under Enrol & Start Today. Follow the prompts to complete your enrolment as an individual, business, or service provider.

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Course FAQs

Why choose Australian Online Courses?
  • Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
  • Improve your employment opportunities;
  • Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
  • High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
  • All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
  • Unlimited tutor support via email;
  • We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
  • Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.

There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18 with a competent level of English. For those under 18, please complete the Parent/Guardian Consent Form before enrolling.

To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.

You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!

Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.

BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.

Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.

Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.

This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.

No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.

Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.

Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.

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