Environmental Science
Master of Science in Environmental Science
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
LG028 |
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science |
|
LF044 |
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science |
|
LC056 |
Master of Science in Environmental Science |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean available places will be offered to qualified applicants, according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit to the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, applicants without the following qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.
(3)
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science requires a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(b)
completion of the embedded graduate certificate in this discipline, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(a)
a Bachelor of Science, with a credit average, from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
completion of the embedded graduate diploma in this discipline, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the table for Environmental Science postgraduate courses. With the approval of the Dean and the program coordinator, candidates for the graduate diploma or master's degree, who have special aims or interests, may be allowed to substitute up to 12 credit points with relevant postgraduate units from outside the table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science a candidate must complete 24 credit points, including:
(3)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science a candidate must complete 36 credit points, including:
(4)
To qualify for the Master of Science in Environmental Science coursework pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(5)
Subject to the availability of supervision and suitable projects, candidates with a credit average in 24 credit points of study from the degree may be admitted to the research pathway.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science, Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Master of Science in Environmental Science are articulated coursework programs that allow a large degree of flexibility in the depth at which studies are undertaken and the choice of subjects studied. Some of the major themes addressed include environmental sciences, environmental politics and law, project evaluation and assessment, decision making and conflict resolution.
Course outcomes
The articulated award program in Environmental Science is designed for both recent graduates wishing to obtain employment in the environmental field and for graduates already working in an environmental sphere who are interested in gaining either a formal qualification in environmental science or additional information about related areas of environmental science.
Environmental managers and scientists are increasingly finding that they need to have a broad interdisciplinary knowledge base and the ability to be flexible and innovative in their application of such knowledge. Thus the aim of this award program is to provide students with the ability to solve environmental problems that require the integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines. Emphasis is placed on studies which span several disciplines, adaptive problem solving, and the development of new skills and expertise.
Upon completion of the graduate certificate, graduates will possess a practical and theoretical background in some of the basic aspects of environmental science. This can be supplemented and extended upon completion of the graduate diploma, and extended further to include research and practical skills upon completion of the master's program. Students completing the full postgraduate program will have a solid grounding in all basic areas of environmental science, enabling them to understand the environmental problems that can arise and the disparate solutions that can be applied to solve such problems, and to comprehend all aspects of environmental assessment.
Graduates of the Master of Science in Environmental Science who have completed the 12cp Research Project ENVI5501 are eligible to apply for admission to a research degree (MSc, MSc (Environmental Science) or PhD).
Units of study table
Not all units of study may be available every semester. The faculty may allow substitution of any unit of study by an approved unit of study, including units of study from other postgraduate coursework programs in the faculty or elsewhere in the University.
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science |
|||
Core |
|||
| Students in the graduate certificate must complete ENVI5705 or ENVI5708 or ENVI5904. | |||
| ENVI5705 Ecological Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective |
|||
| Students in the graduate certificate must complete 3 elective units of study. Electives may be chosen from the list of core units. | |||
| AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
6 | A A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. |
Semester 2 |
| CIVL5665 Advanced Water Resources Management |
6 | A Basic calculation skills and a knowledge of the application of spreadsheets to perform data manipulation and presentation. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment |
6 | Semester 1a |
|
| ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5903 Sustainable Development |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Int July |
| GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1a |
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science |
|||
Core |
|||
| Students in the graduate diploma must complete ENVI5705 and ENVI5708. Students in the graduate diploma must also complete either ENVI5707 or ENVI5904. | |||
| ENVI5705 Ecological Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective |
|||
| Students in the graduate diploma must complete 3 elective units of study. Electives may be chosen from the list of core units. | |||
| AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
6 | A A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. |
Semester 2 |
| CIVL5665 Advanced Water Resources Management |
6 | A Basic calculation skills and a knowledge of the application of spreadsheets to perform data manipulation and presentation. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment |
6 | Semester 1a |
|
| ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5903 Sustainable Development |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Int July |
| GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1a |
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Master of Environmental Science |
|||
Coursework Pathway |
|||
Core |
|||
| Students in the master's degree (coursework pathway) must complete ENVI5705, AFNR5801 and RESP5001. Students in the master's degree (coursework pathway) must also complete either ENVI5708 or ENVI5904. | |||
| AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
6 | A A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5705 Ecological Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
Elective |
|||
| Students in the master's degree (coursework pathway) must complete 4 elective units of study. Electives may be chosen from the list of core units. | |||
| CIVL5665 Advanced Water Resources Management |
6 | A Basic calculation skills and a knowledge of the application of spreadsheets to perform data manipulation and presentation. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment |
6 | Semester 1a |
|
| ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5903 Sustainable Development |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Int July |
| GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1a |
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Research Pathway |
|||
Core |
|||
| Students in the master's degree (research pathway) must complete ENVI5705, AFNR5801 and ENVI5501. Students in the master's degree (research pathway) must also complete either ENVI5708 or ENVI5904. | |||
| AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues |
6 | A A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5501 Environmental Research Project |
12 | P 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| ENVI5705 Ecological Principles |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective |
|||
| Students in the master's degree (research pathway) must complete 3 elective units of study. Electives may be chosen from the list of core units. | |||
| CIVL5665 Advanced Water Resources Management |
6 | A Basic calculation skills and a knowledge of the application of spreadsheets to perform data manipulation and presentation. |
Semester 2 |
| ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment |
6 | Semester 1a |
|
| ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| ENVI5903 Sustainable Development |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Int July |
| GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1a |
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Unit of study descriptions 2013
AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Peter Franks, Dr Dan Penny Session: Semester 2 Classes: 18 hrs lecture/tutorial, 12 hrs practical/field classes, 9 hrs field trip preparation Assumed knowledge: A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. Assessment: 2hr exam (40%), tutorials (20%), practical report from field exercise (manuscript format) (40%), Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides students with an overview of current debates and approaches to understanding and quantifying interactions between the biosphere, oceans and atmosphere, as used around the world, and the consequences of those interactions for climate. The unit considers climate change on a variety of timescales.
This unit will include a weekend field trip to Snowy Mountains field sites managed by the University of Sydney where students will be introduced to cutting edge, ongoing climate change research.
This unit will include a weekend field trip to Snowy Mountains field sites managed by the University of Sydney where students will be introduced to cutting edge, ongoing climate change research.
Textbooks
A reading list will be provided consisting of selected book chapters, journal articles and other publications
CIVL5665 Advanced Water Resources Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Federico Maggi Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorials per week Assumed knowledge: Basic calculation skills and a knowledge of the application of spreadsheets to perform data manipulation and presentation. Assessment: Quizzes (30%), Assignments (20%), Final Exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The objective of this unit of study is to introduce students and professionals to water resources engineering. The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of: hydrologic cycle from the broadest perspective, physical, chemical and biological characterization of water, how to change the water quality parameters, water quality control and management, water quality in the environment, nutrient and contaminant cycling and removal, water treatment methods for drinking, wastewater and groundwater, conservation/reuse/treatment techniques, desalination, stormwater, bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques. The topics mentioned above will be covered in both a qualitative and quantitative aspects.
ENVI5501 Environmental Research Project
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Meetings arranged with supervisor. Prerequisites: 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better Assessment: Written report and continuous assessment (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, ENVI5501 consists of a research project as arranged between you (the student) and an appropriate supervisor. The project topic may contain a field or laboratory component, or may be entirely literature-based, but it must include an integrated analysis of an identified environmental problem. Potential topics range from ecotourism to pollution detection and monitoring, erosion to solar power, environmental law to conservation biology. The topic must be able to be completed within the timeframe of 16 weeks (one semester) of investigation, including the literature survey, sample and data collection, analysis of data and results, and write up of the report. This unit is not conducted by way of a number of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead, the student will work on the project full-time (aside from other study commitments) in a continuous manner for the entire duration (1 semester). This unit of study is only available to students in the Master programs who have completed 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better. Any student interested in taking ENVI5501 should identify and consult with an appropriate supervisor along with Environmental Science Program Coordinator Dr Jeff Neilson (jeffrey.neilson@sydney.edu.au) well before the semester commences.
ENVI5705 Ecological Principles
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week. Assessment: Case study,assignment,critical review,presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of modern ecology for environmental scientists through a series of modules focussing on applied questions. Using case studies from Australia, students are exposed to the challenges of doing ecology and how cutting edge research is being applied to environmental management using evidence-based approaches. Meetings and discussions with people working in the field give students an insight into the ways that ecologists address ecological problems and how way they generate an understanding of natural systems. Students have the opportunity to consider different ways of doing science and ways of dealing with different kinds of data, including qualitative, quantitative, anecdotal and experimental approaches
ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Chris Dey Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2-hour lecture, 1-hour seminar per week and field trips. Assessment: Major essay, assignments, tutorial paper and presentation Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The environmental impacts and physical principles of energy generation and use are addressed in this unit of study. Major topics include discussion of the various energy sources, global energy resources, the economics associated with energy conversion, the politics and culture that surround energy conversion and use, and renewable energy technologies. A key aspect of the unit is the fostering of skills for performing simple but useful energy and greenhouse calculations. This unit of study includes several field trips to energy utilities and associated energy sites.
ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Gavin Birch Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2-hour lecture, one practical per week and one field trip Assessment: Assignment, presentation and report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the major physical and chemical processes that control the concentration and dispersion of chemical pollutants in natural and impacted coastal environments. The course will demonstrate how to use contaminant data effectively and how to judge the quality of chemical data. This knowledge will be used to design and to assess environmental projects, and to judge the magnitude of impact by human activity on marine environments and the risk posed by sedimentary contaminants to benthic animals. The course aims to provide present and future managers employed in environmental professions with the skills to use data with confidence and to make management decisions knowing the risks inherent in variable data quality.
ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 1a Classes: 2hrs lectures and 2 hrs tutorials per week plus directed reading. The unit runs for weeks 1-7 Assessment: essay and seminar presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit provides both a conceptual and an empirical foundation for the analysis of relationships between society, the environment and natural resources. In our recent past the rapid rate of global environmental change has necessitated a breakdown of traditional disciplinary boundaries in research and social scientists are increasingly called upon to work alongside natural scientists in unraveling the complexities of the human-environmental nexus. Students will examine a number of environmental issues and consider a variety of social science academic perspectives about environmental management.
ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David M Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six sessions Assessment: Report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study introduces participants to the power of simulation modelling in understanding and predicting behaviour of natural systems. It covers fundamental concepts, logic, and techniques (including sensitivity analysis), and develops skills in application to environmental problems such as catchment management and population dynamics.
ENVI5903 Sustainable Development
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson and Prof Phil Hirsch Session: Int July Classes: Two pre-departure lectures, 10-day field intensive and one seminar Assessment: Essay and presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Field Experience
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit of study constitutes an international field-based experience held in Southeast Asia during the July semester break. It explores the contested notions of sustainable development and sustainability through exposure to real world development dilemmas in one of the developing world's most dynamic regions. Sustainable development encompasses both improvements in the human condition as well as protection of the earth's life support systems - these come together as human-environment interactions. We explore fundamental issues such as population growth, urbanization, water supply, food security, resource scarcity and economic globalization. The unit of study involves lectures, in-situ readings and discussion groups, introduction to field methods, stakeholder meetings and experiential learning. Places are limited and significant pre-departure planning is required. Students interested in this unit should confirm their interest to the Unit Coordinator by the end of March of the year the field school will be held. There will be an additional course fee for food, accommodation, local transport and field assistance of about $1000 for this unit of study. Students will also be required to arrange their own international travel to the starting point (either Bangkok or Jakarta).
ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Ross Coleman Session: Semester 2 Classes: One three hour lecture per week for 8 weeks. Assessment: Tutorials, oral presentations and written reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
No assessment of potential environmental impacts is possible without relevant information about the ecological consequences. This unit is for those without a quantitative ecology background, to explain the need to quantify and what are relevant measures. Describing and understanding uncertainty will be explained in the context of precautionary principles. Issues about measuring biodiversity and the spatial and temporal problems of ecological systems will be introduced. Field experience will also be available (up to two of six hour sessions) subject to weather, tides and available staffing; please note that these sessions are voluntary.
GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six lectures plus six workshops. Assessment: Report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study gives an overview of basic spatial data models, and enables students to understand the use of data from a variety of sources within a geographical information system (GIS). The analysis of spatial data, and its manipulation to address questions appropriate to planning or locational applications, will be addressed, as will the development of thematic maps from diverse data layers.
GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Peter Cowell Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 hours of lectures and one three hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The unit introduces methods associated with acquiring data in the field and examines issues associated with application of spatial data to environmental monitoring, terrain mapping and geocomputing. Students will learn both theoretically and practically how environmental data is collected using different remote sensing techniques, (pre)processing methods of integrating data in a GIS environment and the role of spatial data in understanding landscape processes and quantifying environmental change.
GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two hours of class contact per week plus self-directed study Assessment: Major essay (60%) plus Presentation (10%) and Minor essay (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
The global community is faced with the collision between environmental degradation and human rights, from oil spill disasters to the disproportionate impact of anthropogenic climate change in the developing world. At the same time we are witnessing an ever-increasing demand to meet human rights obligations. Both these phenomena necessitate a re-think of the way environmental conditions are perceived. This unit of study addresses the diverse and complex interaction between human rights and the environment, and examines whether human rights can be secured in degraded or polluted environments. The course deals with the human rights - environment nexus through a series of lectures and seminars.
MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ana Vila-Concejo Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture, one 1 hour tutorial, one 3 hour practical per week for 6 weeks Assessment: Assignment, presentation and quiz (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study explains the major coastal processes and systems of relevance to coastal zone management. These include rocky coasts and bluffs; beaches, barriers and dunes; and estuaries and inlets. The interactions between these processes and systems that are of most relevance to coastal management are highlighted, including coastal hazards such as beach erosion, dune migration, bluff retreat, coastal flooding and inlet closure/opening. Anthropogenic impacts are also analysed. The unit is presented in lectures and field excursions, the latter enabling each system to be examined first hand.
MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Maria Byrne Session: Semester 1 Classes: University base delivery: Prefield trip Tutorial (1 hr),Lectures (4 x 1 hr), Field based delivery: Lectures (7 x 1 hr), Seminars (4 x 1 hr), Tutorials - individual consultations to develop concepts in research (2 x 1 hr), Independent Research and Oral Presentation (40 hrs) Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Field Experience
This unit provides an in - depth overview of the key biological and non-biological processes that make up coral reef ecosystems. There is a focus on the biogeographic, oceanographic and physiological processes underlying the integrity of global tropical reef systems. The Great Barrier Reef is used as a case study to explore emerging concepts on the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes on the integrity of global reef and lagoon systems. Learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars and tutorials in the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is an independent research project conducted under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of one essay, essay topic presentation and a research project report and presentation. The curriculum in this unit is based on current research and a course book will be provided. This is a field intensive course held at One Tree Island Research Station or Heron Island Research Station. The course is ex-Gladstone Queensland and students are expected to make their own way there. This unit will be run over 6-8 days and there will be an additional course fee for transport, food and accommodation, expected to be $700.
MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jody Webster Session: Semester 1a Classes: 80 hours block mode includes lectures, tutorials and fieldwork Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit provides an in - depth understanding of the key geological, oceanographic,. biological and economic factors effecting global climate change and coral reef response, with specific reference to the Great Barrier Reef. Predictions of worst and best case scenarios for the future of coral reef systems are discussed in the context of the latest science, and in light of how this science should underpin future management strategies and policy. Learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars, and tutorials on the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is an independent research project conducted under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of an essay, a research seminar and a research project report and presentation. This is a field intensive course held at One Tree Island Research Station. The course is ex-Gladstone Queensland and students are expected to make their own way there. The unit will be run over 7 days and there will be an additional course fee for food and accommodation.
RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof D Dragovich Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Four 4-hour lectures and two 4-hour laboratory classes per semester Assessment: One research proposal, One literature review and one oral presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize and draw conclusions from their coursework experience and learning, and to enable them to revise and/or develop the necessary skills for engaging with environmental research as part of their intellectual and/or professional growth. The unit focuses on skills in cross-disciplinary problem identification and the use of integrated analysis to address environmental challenges. Other skills include critical reading and critical writing, undertaking a literature review, understanding how research is conducted and published, library search techniques, use of referencing systems like EndNote, and matters relating to intellectual property and authorship.
WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: Int March Classes: Intensively taught unit, the remainder of the unit will involve personal study and project activity. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit of study provides an introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, an overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. Emphasis is placed on providing students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health and management, and on developing expertise in recognising and solving a broad range of problems in field populations. The unit integrates lectures, practical work and supervised study, and offers students the opportunity to work through real-world wildlife conservation problems relevant to their individual backgrounds.
WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: Int March Classes: Intensively taught unit. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Block Mode
This unit of study provides a first-hand introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, a practical overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using sampling and diagnostic methods on a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. The unit follows on from WILD5001 and provides practical experience via a five day field trip at the university farm "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW.