| Semester 1, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba | |
| Short Description: | Environmental Studies |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Sciences |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 050999 - Environmental Studies not else |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other requisites
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <>.
Students who have enrolled in or completed REN8101 Environment, Society and Sustainability cannot enrol in this course.
Rationale
As the effects of population pressure, unsustainable resource use and pollution increasingly influence global social and economic stability and quality of life, an understanding of environmental issues by graduates from all disciplines is essential. This course aims to develop informed and positive attitudes toward environmental issues, an understanding of the causes and symptoms of environmental degradation, and of corrective actions and the policies which support them.
Synopsis
The course provides a general introduction and overview of the emergence of environmental issues at the global scale. An inter-disciplinary approach to the study of the environment is provided at a general level for students across all Faculties. The material is presented in a number of inter-related modules that cover the biophysical environment, politics, economy and society, and human impact on the natural environment. The course focuses on ecological principles for thinking about the environment, the links between society and environmental exploitation and the development of ecologically sustainable development. Consideration is given to population growth, the influence of technology, environmental economics and the role of community value systems. Issues examined from a global perspective include land utilisation, mining and fishing, energy production and use, water pollution, atmospheric pollution, urban systems and waste management. Special attention is given to ways in which environmental problems are dealt with under the ecologically sustainable development framework.
Objectives
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the factors contributing to global and national environmental problems;
- demonstrate an appreciation of the inter-relationships between ecological, social and economic aspects which make up modern environmental issues;
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of the processes involved in human interactions with the environment.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Introduction and the Biophysical Environment | 23.00 |
| 2. | Politics, Economics and Society | 15.00 |
| 3. | Human Impact on the Natural Environment | 23.00 |
| 4. | Environment and Society | 39.00 |
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=REN1201)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
(Available also online (EBL).)
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Examinations | 2.00 |
| Lectures | 26.00 |
| Online Tests | 6.00 |
| Online Tutorials | 8.00 |
| Private 精东传媒app | 100.00 |
| Tutorials | 18.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quiz 1 | 40 | 4 | 13 Mar 2020 | (see note 1) |
| Online Quiz 2 | 40 | 4 | 27 Mar 2020 | (see note 2) |
| Online Quiz 3 | 40 | 4 | 24 Apr 2020 | (see note 3) |
| Assignment | 100 | 26 | 27 Apr 2020 | (see note 4) |
| Online Quiz 4 | 40 | 4 | 08 May 2020 | (see note 5) |
| Online Quiz 5 | 40 | 4 | 22 May 2020 | (see note 6) |
| Online Quiz 6 | 40 | 4 | 05 Jun 2020 | (see note 7) |
| Online Exam | 120 | 50 | End S1 | (see note 8) |
Notes
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- Written Assignment must be submitted via the online submission portal on the course 精东传媒appDesk
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- Online Quizzes will be undertaken via the course 精东传媒appDesk and each must be completed in a single session within the specified period
- 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:
It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, online workshops, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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 satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.) -
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:
This is a restricted examination. Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination). 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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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).