University of Sydney Handbooks - 2013 Archive

Download full 2013 archive Page archived at: Mon, 20 May 2013 12:11:36 +1000

Marine Science and Management

 

Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management

Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management

Master of Marine Science and Management


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 title

LG035

Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management

LF051

Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management

LC035

Master of Marine Science and Management

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course.

4 Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)
The embedded courses in this sequence are:
(a)
Graduate Certificate in Marine Science and Management
(b)
Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management
(c)
Master of Marine Science and Management
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.

3 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 applicants, to the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, 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 Marine Science and Management requires a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(4)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and Management requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
completion of the embedded graduate certificate in this discipline, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(5)
Admission to the Master of Marine Science and Management requires:
(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.

4 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the Marine Science and Management degree table. With the approval of the Dean and the program coordinator, candidates for the graduate diploma or master's degree, with special aims or interests, may be allowed to substitute up to 12 credit points with relevant postgraduate units from outside the table.
(2)
It is a requirement of the Masters program that students undertake units of study in a minimum of three of the four available areas of knowledge:
(a)
Marine biology/Biological oceanography
(b)
Marine geosciences/Coastal engineering
(c)
Physical oceanography/Marine engineering
(d)
Environmental Management/sustainability
(3)
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate Marine Science and Management a candidate must complete 24 credit points, including:
(a)
12 credit points of core unit of study; and
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study.
(4)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma Marine Science and Management a candidate must complete 36 credit points across at least two of the defined areas of knowledge, including:
(a)
24 credit points of core units of study, and
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study.
(5)
To qualify for the Master of Marine Science and Management coursework pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points across at least three of the defined areas of knowledge, including:
(a)
24 credit points of core units of study;
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study taken at the University of Sydney; and
(c)
12 credit points of elective units of study. Where possible these units should be taken from the other partner universities under the equivalent master program (University of NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University) via Cross Institutional Study.
(6)
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.
(7)
To qualify for the Master of Marine Science and Management research pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points across at least three of the defined areas of knowledge, including:
(a)
36 credit points of core units of study; and
(b)
12 credit points of elective units of study which may or may not include units taken from the other partner universities under the equivalent master program (University of NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University) via Cross Institutional Study.

Course overview

The University of Sydney, in collaboration with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, the University of Technology Sydney, the University of New South Wales and Macquarie University, has developed a new and innovative Master program in Marine Science and Management. This interdisciplinary and cross-institutional program is unique in Australia. It has been designed to give students the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge in a range of disciplines in marine science and management. The program includes units in marine ecology and conservation, coastal management and engineering, climate change, biological and physical oceanography, and modelling.

The program is ideal for recent graduates who wish to extend their knowledge and gain new skills in different disciplines of marine science, and for marine and coastal practitioners who require additional training and knowledge in current marine science and management issues, applications and policies.

Units of study table

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session
Core Units
Students in the Graduate Certificate must complete MARS5001 and MARS5004.
Students in the Graduate Diploma and Masters degree must complete all four core units of study (i.e. ENVI5904, MARS5001, MARS5004 and MARS5009).
MARS5009
Topics in Australian Marine Science
6      Semester 1
Marine Geosciences / Coastal Engineering
MARS5001
Coastal Processes and Systems
6      Semester 1
Environmental Management / Sustainability
ENVI5904
Methods in Applied Ecology
6      Semester 2
MARS5004
Coastal Management Field School
6      Int July
Additional Core Units: Masters Research Pathway Only
Environmental Management / Sustainability
MARS5005
Coastal Management Project
12    P 24 credit points in coastal/marine science/management with a credit average or better.

Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1
Semester 2
Electives
Marine Biology / Biological Oceanography
MARS5006
Coral Reefs, Science and Management
6      Semester 1
Marine Geosciences / Coastal Engineering
MARS5007
Coral Reefs and Climate Change
6   
Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Semester 1a
ENVI5708
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
6      Semester 1
GEOG5001
Geographic Information Science A
6      Semester 1
GEOG5004
Environmental Mapping and Monitoring
6      Semester 2
Physical Oceanography / Marine Engineering
CIVL5511
Foundations of Fluid Mechanics
6    A This unit of study assumes previous study of the fundamental principles of fluid dynamics obtained from CIVL5505 Foundations of Fluid Mechanics and Inviscid Flow or equivalent introductory fluid mechanics subject.
Semester 1
CIVL5670
Reservoir Stream & Coastal Eng
6      Semester 1
Environmental Management / Sustainability
ENVI5809
Environmental Simulation Modelling
6      Semester 1
ENVI5903
Sustainable Development
6   
Note: Department permission required for enrolment

Int July

Unit of study descriptions 2013

CIVL5511 Foundations of Fluid Mechanics

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lecture 2hrs per week, Tutorial 2hrs per week, Laboratory 2hrs per week. Assumed knowledge: This unit of study assumes previous study of the fundamental principles of fluid dynamics obtained from CIVL5505 Foundations of Fluid Mechanics and Inviscid Flow or equivalent introductory fluid mechanics subject. Assessment: Mid-Sem Exams (20%), Lab Quiz (5%), Lab Participation (5%), Lab Report (30%), Final Exam (40%)
This unit of study aims to provide an understanding of the conservation of mass and momentum in differential forms for viscous fluid flows. It provides the foundation for advanced study of turbulence, flow around immersed bodies, open channel flow, and turbo-machinery.
CIVL5670 Reservoir Stream & Coastal Eng

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures 2 hours per week, Tutorials 2 hours per week. Assessment: Quiz (20%), Project (20%), Final Exam (60%)
The objectives of this Unit of Study are to develop an understanding of the processes occurring in lakes, reservoirs, streams and coastal seas, and an introduction to transport and mixing in inland waters, and to the design the design of marine structures. The unit will cover the mass and heat budget in stored water bodies, mixing, and the implications for water quality. In streams, simple transport models will be introduced, and simple models for dissolved oxygen transport discussed. The basic equations for linear and non linear wave theories in coastal seas will be introduced, and wave forces on structures and an introduction to design of offshore structures will be discussed.
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%)
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.
ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David M Chapman Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six sessions Assessment: Report (100%)
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%)
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%)
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%)
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%)
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.
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%)
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.
MARS5004 Coastal Management Field School

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Peter Cowell Session: Int July Classes: Fieldwork 80 hours block mode Assessment: Assignment and report (100%)
The field school will be based around visits to a series of coastal sites along the NSW coast. The unit will include a series of introductory lectures followed by visits to the sites where both unit staff and local coastal managers and stakeholders will address the students on the nature of the site, its historical development and contemporary coastal management issues and solutions. Sites will be selected to the representative of both the range of coastal systems present along the NSW coast, as well as the range of management issues presented by the sites.
MARS5005 Coastal Management Project

Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Meetings arranged with supervisor Prerequisites: 24 credit points in coastal/marine science/management with a credit average or better. Assessment: Written report, presentation and continuous assessment (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit enables students who have completed earlier coursework to design and undertake a research project related to a coastal management topic under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff. The unit is suitable for students who wish to learn how to undertake and complete an original research project, as well as students from industry and government organizations who wish to undertake a project that relates to their professional environment.
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%)
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%)
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.
MARS5009 Topics in Australian Marine Science

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: The unit will start on Thursday 1st March and will finish Thursday 31st May with a two week mid semester break from 9 - 22 April. Weekly delivery on Thursday afternoons 3-7pm at SIMS, Chowder Bay Tutorial 3-4pm Practical 4-6pm Lecture 6-7pm Assessment: 1000 word project proposal (15%), 5000 word report (50%), 1000 word presentation summary (25%), Tutorial participation (10%)
This Unit of Study will introduce students to current research undertaken in various disciplines of marine science in Australia. It will be a multi-institutional unit taught at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) with contributions from the four University partners of SIMS. Lectures and tutorials will be taught by leading marine science researchers. Topics will cover physical and biological oceanography, climate change, molecular ecology, aquaculture, marine biology and marine geosciences. In practical classes, students will analyse and interpret remote-sensing data from the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), which provides comprehensive information on the biological and physical processes of Australia's coastal and oceanic waters.