| Semester 1, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Global Environmental Systems |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Sciences |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 010701 - Atmospheric Sciences |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Rationale
The notions of sustainable development and environmental management recognise the fact that humanity alters its living environment often in an irreversible manner. Global environmental systems such as ocean, atmosphere, and land mass interact with human socio-economic structures via a range of physical processes and over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. The recent development of sustainability science provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach that recognises that past efforts at sustainable development often took place without a robust scientific framework. Understanding how global environmental systems influence and respond to human impacts is a critical component of developing methodology and policy frameworks based on credible scientific knowledge. This course provides students with an understanding of the physical processes that link the global environmental systems and the modelling tools to support sustainable management of these systems.
Synopsis
The course provides an overview of the dynamics of global environmental systems and how they influence and impact on human activities. In particular, the course focuses on the structure of the atmosphere and ocean, and the drivers of global climate that determine the composition of the natural environment. The important global data sets of the physical environment are introduced and key physical processes within the ocean and atmosphere, and the physical processes that link these to human systems are discussed. Models based upon sound scientific understanding of the physical mechanisms are introduced and their development into tools that provide credible scientific guidance in sustainable development and management are reviewed. The course concludes with a brief review of successful policy development and application guided by scientific knowledge. The course requires the student to have access to the internet.
Objectives
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the structure of global environmental systems in particular that of the atmosphere and ocean;
- integrate knowledge of the spatial and temporal scale over which physical processes operate into natural resource management;
- demonstrate an understanding of the linkages between environmental and socio-economic;
- discuss policy making decisions founded on a credible understanding of the key physical processes that shape our environment.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Anthropocene Era | 10.00 |
| 2. | The Earth System: Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate | 30.00 |
| 3. | Climate & Natural Environment | 30.00 |
| 4. | Global to Regional Scales | 10.00 |
| 5. | Models and Other Decision Making Tools | 10.00 |
| 6. | Credible Science and Good Policy | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=CLI8204)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).
(available through USQ Library's e-journal library.).
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Directed 精东传媒app | 52.00 |
| Examinations | 2.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 116.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSIGNMENT 1 | 100 | 20 | 26 Mar 2020 | |
| ASSIGNMENT 2 | 100 | 20 | 14 May 2020 | |
| Take Home Exam | 100 | 60 | End S1 | (see note 1) |
Notes
- This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official examination timetable has been released.
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Requirements after S1 2020:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination
Requirements after S1 2020:
Candidates are only allowed to access specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are:
i. writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination);
ii. calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination;
iii. Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date
Requirements after S1 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
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Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
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A Course Assignment Cover Sheet must be signed by the student and attached to all assignments submitted for assessment. Failure to do so may result in the assignment not being marked.
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Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.