At the first meeting for this unit you will be randomly assigned to one of the three disciplines of environmental chemistry, geosciences or ecology, and you must restrict your review to the role of science in environmental management for that discipline. You may decide to review one specific or a range of topics discussed in the class.

Scientific papers can be pretty daunting at first but this is the form in which original research first appears. Primary scientific references describe the rationale for the investigation, the approaches, methods and the findings. Secondary references are a step removed from the original work and include review articles. You will be writing a review article, and you must include at least 15 peer reviewed scientific papers that report the results of research in your assigned discipline. Each student should independently decide which specific topic to review. The topic must be in the category of the assigned discipline.

You are also encouraged to look critically at scientific data. In the first lecture we learn about the nature of science and why scientific experiments can be so difficult to carry out. The experimental design and execution inevitably has many shortcomings and if you come to appreciate the inherent difficulties you will be better equipped to spot weaknesses in published research and to undertake critical review.

Your review should be no longer than 3500 words, excluding title page, executive summary, tables, graphs and reference list. Use sub-headings to structure your review. You must use the guidelines provided in the GSE Writing Guide.

Assessment will be according to guidelines provided at the first lecture.

Extensions will only be granted for exceptional circumstance (which does not include workload or computer problems!) and with prior written permission by the unit convenor. Unapproved late submission will attract a 10% per calendar day penalty.

The final assignment mark will be marked out of 40, as the contribution to the final mark in the unit. The marks allocated for the various assessment criteria are as in the table below.

Criterion

Weighting

Description

·    Clearly articulates aims and scope of review

·    Accurately and succinctly describes objectives and outcomes of review literature

8

Analysis

·    Contribution of reviewed literature

·    Evidence evaluated critically

·    Strengths and weaknesses clearly identified

20

Presentation

·    Well-planned review with clear structure, sub-headings and logical argument firmly based on the literature cited

·    Well written paper formatted for effective communication with correct grammar and spelling and correct use of professional terminology as appropriate

·    Literature correctly cited and full bibliographic details provided

12

·   Penalty: Late Submission (10% per day)

Total

40 

Three exercises will be distributed during the first half of the semester after completion of each section of the unit (environmental chemistry, geoscience and ecology). Participants must complete all 3. It is important that exercises are completed promptly following the lectures to reinforce the learning process.

Marks: 10 marks for each exercise; 30 marks total. ie. 30% of the total unit mark.

Due: One week after distribution of exercises. The due dates for each take home exercise are:

Environmental Chemistry: 25 March 2014

Geoscience: 8 April 2014

Ecology: 6 May 2014

Late exercises: Late penalties - 0.5 marks off for each day of late submission. No exercise will be accepted one week after its due date.

Each team member of the project work will receive additional mark of up to 10% of the total mark for individual participation in the presentation part and the active discussion role during the presentations, in accordance to the following criteria:

Criterion

Weighting

Delivery

·    Timing (balanced, total time effectively used);

·    Manner (natural, purposeful, eye contact);

·    Vocal quality & language (varied, pleasant, appropriate)

5

Participation

·    Participation to the presentation

·    Participation to answering questions

·    Participation to presentation discussion

·    Attendance

5

Total

10

Students will be assigned to groups of about 4 participants to research on a topic related to the science of climate change, its impacts and management strategies. Suggested topics will be presented to the class on the first week. Groups will need to finalise their choice and lodge it with the unit convenor by week 5.

You will have to meet outside of the class time to allocate research tasks, collate material and develop your presentation. Groups will have a 5 minute presentation per participant in the group + 10 minutes for questions (groups containing 3 participants will have 15 minutes for the presentation, while those with 4 participants will have 20 minutes time for presentations). Groups will give their presentations to the rest of the class. You may use any presentation format you like: lecture, seminar, poster, role-play, video etc. Groups will be allocated a single mark of up to 20% of the total mark for the teamwork presentation, which will be assessed according to criteria to be provided. All members of the group must play an active part in either preparation of the material or its presentation.

The group project presentations will be assessed based on the criteria outlined in the following table:

Criterion

Weighting

Content

·    Quality of research

·    Relevance to assignment objectives

8

Design

·    Structure

·    Logic

·    Effectiveness

·    Originality

4

Visual aids

·    Text (clear, brief, focused)

·    Illustrations (clarity, relevance)

·    Originality

4

  Questions

·    answered the question that was asked

·    brief and comprehensive answers

·    reveal good depth of knowledge

4 

Total

20