Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Paul Hesse
Lecturer
Kira Westaway
Tutor
Lani Barnes
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
ENVE117(P) or GEOS117(P) or GEOS112(P)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Understanding how and why the Earth's surface looks and changes in the way it does is fundamental to effective environmental management. This unit examines earth surface processes from a catchment perspective: hill slopes and soils; rivers and floodplains. We draw on Australian and overseas examples from diverse environments to demonstrate how biophysical processes shape our landscape. Students gain practical, laboratory and field-based skills that help them interpret the landscape. These are taught in both on-campus sessions and weekend field trips. This unit builds on themes introduced in ENVE117 and GEOS112, and provides a sound conceptual background for students continuing in environmental sciences, environmental management and programs in ecology, biology, geology and archaeology.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Practicals (2,3,6,7) | 10% | 10 am Tues after prac |
Field Report 1 | 20% | 10am 21/4/15 |
Field Report 2 | 30% | 10 am 2/6/15 |
Exam | 40% | exam period |
Due: 10 am Tues after prac
Weighting: 10%
Usually presentation of data, diagrams, graphs or short answers relating to the practical class.
Due: 10am 21/4/15
Weighting: 20%
Report based on the first fieldtrip to Smiths Lake / Seal Rocks
Due: 10 am 2/6/15
Weighting: 30%
Report based on the second fieldtrip to MacDonald River
Due: exam period
Weighting: 40%
exam
LECTURES are designed to provide you with a framework with which to focus your study of the subject and are an essential and important component of the course. They are by no means exhaustive on each and every topic, and you are expected to supplement them by reading especially from the textbook but also from the current journals, where the most up-to-date information can be found. There is a reading list for you to use as a starting point later in this document, and additional material will be referred to during the lecture program. Lecture slides are available on-line through https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ for viewing and/or printing. Audio recordings of the lectures are available on-line shortly after delivery and are mailed to external students after that.
PRACTICAL CLASSES comprise a practical exercise, including map and air photo interpretation, numerical analysis, examination of rocks and sediments or local fieldwork. Practicals provide greater depth to the related lecture materials and are designed to assist learning by encouraging your active participation. You will usually complete the practical within the class time. The venue of the practical classes varies (see page 5). The week 1 practical is held in E5A240 and some other practicals will be held in the field within a short distance from the university. Important material for the practical classes is included in this book. Additional material may be posted on Blackboard for download. Each student must bring the appropriate equipment to the practical session and pre-read the practical description. Equipment may include; overhead transparencies, permanent FINE overhead pen (red or green preferably), drawing pencils (2B, HB, 2H), coloured pencils, ruler, sharpener, eraser, protractor, calculator, field note book. You should also wear appropriate clothes for the laboratory (week 1) and field: closed shoes, sun protection etc.
ON-CAMPUS SESSIONS FOR EXTERNAL STUDENTS are held on weekends 1 or 2 weeks prior to the two weekend fieldtrips. There is no need to sign on at COE. You should proceed to Building E5A Room 240 by 9am. On the first day of the first on-campus session, the group will then proceed to a field site in the Lane Cove valley, starting at the end of Vimiera Rd, Marsfield (see Practical 2 description) by 9.30. We will proceed by private vehicles (sharing) and spend the morning in the field, away from shops, toilets or other facilities.
Each of these sessions will enable you to undertake the practical components of the unit and also discuss the lecture content with the lecturers. You will be expected to have listened to the audio lecture recordings before each on-campus session. In some cases (where internal lectures lag behind) you will be given additional introduction before each practical activity. It is expected that external students will be able to access the Internet. If you do not have dial-up or broadband internet access from home, most local libraries have access.
FIELD WORK There are two compulsory weekend fieldtrips in this unit during which a range of natural and human-modified landscape features are examined. Each of these fieldtrips reinforces and extends the content of the Soils and Coasts modules (first fieldtrip) or Catchment and Fluvial Processes module (fieldtrip 2). The major assignments are based on these field trips. In addition, two of the weekly practicals (Weeks 2 and 3) will be conducted in the field within the normal practical class times. The assignments and fieldtrips are described in detail elsewhere in this book. Equipment and safety issues for field work are described below.
TEXTBOOKS and ESSENTIAL READINGS
The following texts are suggested as being valuable reading. You are not required to purchase them, but may find them useful. There are some copies in the library.
To keep up with lecture materials and also some of the practical classes and the fieldtrips you should complete all ‘essential’ reading BEFORE the lectures each week. Essential readings are shown on the timetable on page 5.
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
You will require access to a computer for parts of this unit. You can gain access to slides used for each lecture by visiting the iLearn page for ENVE266 (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/). Audio lecture recordings will also be available shortly after live presentation through Echo 360 link in iLearn. iLearn may be used by staff to send reminders and notices concerning fieldtrips, practical classes and lectures. You should check the site regularly, especially the day before lectures/pracs. There is also the space for a bulletin board discussion between students; please feel free to use this to discuss issues relating to any aspect of the unit and geomorphology in general. For specific questions of the lecturers, email them directly (see front cover). The major assignments must also be submitted electronically through Turnitin, via the iLearn page for this unit. This software provides a means of gauging the timing of submission, an originality checker to test for potential plagiarism and a paperless grading system, more information on this program can be found at (http://turnitin.com/) and (http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm) and a ‘quick guide’ in ilearn next to the Turnitin link.
Many of the readings (scientific papers) are available on-line from the library’s e-reserve page for ENVE266 (http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/borrowing/ereserve.php).
ENVE266 Earth Surface Processes –TIMETABLE 2015
INTERNAL LECTURE AND PRACTICAL CLASS TIMETABLE
Week |
Week begin-ing |
Lecture Title |
Practical Class |
Essential reading |
1 |
23/2
|
1 Introduction: unit organization; philosophy, science & geomorphology 2 The biomantle |
1 Soil materials - E5A 240 |
Summerfield, Ch 1 Summerfield, Ch 2-5 |
2 |
2/3
|
3 Soils and surface processes
4 Weathering and soil landscapes |
2 Hillslope processes and surveying (in the field) |
Bishop et al., 1980; Paton et al, 1995, Ch 3-4 |
3 |
9/3
|
5 Soil mapping
6 Soil models and classifications |
3 Soil description (in the field) |
Paton et al., 1995, Ch 1-2. Paton et al., 1995, intro. |
4 |
16/3
|
7 The Coastal System
8 Waves and beach morphodynamic |
4 Aerial photograph interp (API) and first field trip preparation: Coastal landforms and processes E5A 240 |
Short & Wright, 1983 |
FIRST WEEKEND FIELD TRIP: Smith’s lake/ seal rocks 21st and 22nd March |
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5 |
23/3
|
9 Aeolian processes at the coast
10 Coastal Evolution and Sea level change |
(students may complete API from Prac 4) |
Lees, 2006; Thompson 1981 Lambeck & Chappell, 2001; Thom & Roy, 1985 |
6 |
30/3
|
11 First fieldwork report: what to do
12 No Lecture (Good Friday) |
5. post-fieldwork data preparation and analysis |
Tree in the Woods’ (iLearn) Cooke and Doornkamp, 1990 Ch 10 |
MID SEMESTER BREAK 3rd-19tjh April (2 weeks) FIELD REPORT 1 DUE 10 AM TUESDAY 21st APRIL |
||||
7
|
20/4
|
13 Diversity of rivers
14 Catchment perspectives and sediment budgets |
6 The Diversity of Rivers E5A240 |
Brierley & Fryirs, 2005 Ch 4; Tooth & Nanson, 1995 |
8 |
27/4
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15 Channel dynamics and magnitude-frequency relationships
16 Geomorphic units and river behaviour |
7 Flood Hydrology and Stream Power Analysis E5A240 |
Wolman and Miller, 1960; Wolman and Gerson, 1978; Brierley & Fryirs, 2005 Ch 4 & 5 |
9 |
4/5
|
17 Floodplain forms and processes
18 Fluvial sedimentology and river evolution |
No practical class |
Nanson and Croke, 1992; Brierley, 1996; Brierley & Fryirs, 2005 Ch 6 |
10 |
11/5
|
19 River responses to human disturbance
20 Rivers summary and review |
8 Second field trip preparation E5A240 |
Crouch & Blong, 1989 |
SECOND WEEKEND FIELD TRIP: macdonald river 16th AND 17th MAY |
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11 |
18/5
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21 Post field-trip overview
22 Mass transport |
9 Second fieldtrip data analysis E5A240 |
Selby, 1993, Ch 14 |
12 |
25/5
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23 Glacial geomorphology
24 Long-term landscape evolution |
No practical class |
Summerfield, 1991 Ch 18
Summerfield, 1991 Ch 15 |
13 |
1/6
|
25. Rapid landscape evolution: the geomorphology of uplifting regions
26 Unit overview, exam discussion & TEDS |
No practical class |
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FIELD REPORT 2 DUE 10 AM TUESDAY 2nd JUNE |
EXTERNAL ON-CAMPUS SESSION and FIELDTRIP TIMETABLE
Date |
Place |
Content |
Readings |
14th and 15th March |
E5A240 9am and field from 9.30am (see Prac 2) to 5pm |
Soils and coasts (based on lectures 1 to 8) Day 1: practicals 2 and 4; Day 2: practicals 1 and 3; 4 continued |
as above |
21st and 22nd April |
FIELDTRIP – Smith’s Lake/Seal Rocks |
Coastal geomorphology and evolution. Own transport required to Smith’s Lake (Friday PM). Finish on site by 4pm Sunday. |
see fieldtrip outline |
2nd May |
E5A240 - 9am to 5pm |
Catchments and Rivers practicals 6 to 8 ( based on lectures 12 to 18) |
as above |
16th and 17th May |
FIELDTRIP – Macdonald River |
Catchment and fluvial processes. Own transport required to Wiseman’s Ferry (Friday PM). Finish on site by 4pm Sunday. |
see fieldtrip outline |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
PENALTY FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Overdue assignments attract a penalty of 10 % per day i.e. the mark out of which they are assessed will be reduced by 10% for every day that they are late! ALL assignments must be submitted, however late, otherwise you will be excluded from the unit. Late assignments must be handed in to the staff member that is teaching that part of the course.
EXTENSION REQUESTS
If you wish to seek an extension on the grounds of illness or misadventure, you MUST lodge all supporting documents online at ask.mq.edu.au, however you should advise us of your situation as early as possible. Regular work or study commitments are not a reasonable excuse for lateness; plan your time. However, having said that, please DO NOT hesitate to discuss with the unit staff any circumstances which may be preventing you from completing assignments on time or hindering your study in any other way. From experience, we know that early action is best!
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
This unit will be offered in 2015 in much the same format as 2014. We always tinker a little to try and make things better and in 2015 there are some changes to the structure of the first fieldtrip to improve data analysis skills teaching and to accommodate the early fieldtrip necessitated by the fall of Easter in term time.
In 2015 we have also continue online submission of the practicals, as well as the major assignments, through Turnitin.
Students in this unit should read this unit outline carefully at the start of the semester. It contains important information about this unit. If anything in it is unclear, please consult one of the teaching staff in the unit.
UNIT DESCRIPTION- ENVE266 3cp
Understanding how and why the Earth's surface looks and changes in the way it does is fundamental to effective environmental management. This unit examines earth surface processes from a catchment perspective: hill slopes and soils; rivers and floodplains. We draw on Australian and overseas examples from diverse environments to demonstrate how biophysical processes shape our landscape. Students gain practical, laboratory and field based skills that help them interpret the landscape. These are taught in both on campus sessions and weekend field trips. This unit builds on themes introduced in ENVE117 Biophysical Environments and GEOS112 The Planet Earth, and provides a sound conceptual background for students continuing in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management and programs in ecology, biology, geology and archaeology.
AIMS AND SCOPE
Welcome to ENVE266 Earth Surface Processes. ENVE266 aims to present a unified picture of processes, materials and forms occurring at the surface of the earth. That means how and why the earth's surface looks and behaves as it does and includes the soils, sediments and landforms as well as the processes important to them. Given its antiquity, along with its geographic, tectonic and climatic character, Australia has a distinctive and diverse landscape. The unit therefore draws unashamedly on Australian, and often local, examples which have immediate relevance to Australian environmental problems. The principles and ideas, however, are certainly global and possibly universal (at least applying to the solar system). We aim to give you the 'tools' to understand landscape processes no matter where you are. Time constraints prevent coverage of all aspects of geomorphic enquiry. Emphasis is placed on soil materials, slope, river and coastal environments, although the arid interior of Australia and other exotic places are also examined briefly and the role of human activities is examined. Connections between various aspects of the landscape will be stressed, aiming to provide an integrative perspective on surface processes.
ENVE266 AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE MAJOR AT MACQUARIE
ENVE266 is the core 200-level unit in Environmental Earth Science and is the main prerequisite for the 300-level units ENVE338 (Environmental Quality and Assessment), ENVE339 (Fluvial Geomorphology and River Management), ENVE340 (Environmental Change) and ENVE341 (Advanced Environmental Earth Science) which comprise the Environmental Earth Science major.
Environmental Earth Science describes the study of the earth’s surface, the diverse physical processes found there and the connections between them. As the name suggests, it lies at the nexus between earth systems and biological systems – it is often concerned with landscapes and the landforms, sediments and soils within them but also, and crucially, the interaction of plants and animals in directing processes and shaping habitat. Environmental Earth Science combines aspects of Geomorphology, Soil Science, Natural Hazards, Environmental Management and Ecology. As a consequence, graduates gain skills essential for management of natural resources, including rural rivers and lands, and highly altered landscapes, including urban environments and mining areas.
Graduates of the Environmental Earth Science program are in a wide range of workplaces including: environmental and geotechnical consultancies, local government (environmental officers), state government departments (Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources; Environment and Conservation), National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Water, mining companies (environmental officers), teaching (primary and secondary) and research.
Environmental Earth Science is offered as a major within the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Environment. It is also suitable as a component of other specialised programs, including Environmental Management, SIS, Climate Science, Ecology and Environmental Geology. Depending on your own goals you may decide to combine Environmental Earth Science units with other fields e.g. geology, atmospheric science, biology, Spatial Information Science (SIS).
Second year is usually the time you will need to make a decision about your goals and your academic program. Please feel free to discuss your program with any of the staff in the unit at any time during the semester.
You can also find more information about the Environmental Earth Science program and units of study at:
http://handbook.mq.edu.au/2015/Majors/UGMajor/Environmental+Earth+Science
FIELDWORK
Weather: We never cancel fieldtrips for bad weather! You must be prepared to work in the rain with the appropriate clothing. Likewise you should always protect yourself from the sun and dehydration.
Transport: You will need to arrange your own transport for these fieldtrips. Ideally you should arrange to drive to each site with several other students from your practical class.
Arrival: Both fieldtrips start at 8 am on the Saturday morning and therefore you should arrive the previous afternoon. We book accommodation for the Friday and Saturday nights.
Cost: You must cover your own food and transport costs and pay for accommodation. We book accommodation on behalf of the group and you must pay your money to the Cashier using the payment slips found on the iLearn page BEFORE THE TRIP.
Food: You should bring food for breakfast (2 days) and lunch (2 days - to be carried into the field). You should cater for your own dinner on the Friday night and we will organise a BBQ on Saturday night.
Accommodation: Field accommodation is in bunk rooms with communal kitchens, dining, bathroom/toilet and work areas. You should bring (apart from the gear listed below) a sleeping bag, pillow and towel. You can camp, but the cost is the same.
Departure: We aim to leave the field by 4pm on the Sunday afternoon, after all field equipment is returned and the accommodation cleaned. You must advise a staff member before returning home.
Personal Field Equipment: Each student should bring the following aids/comforts on each field trip:
FIELD EQUIPMENT YOU SHOULD PURCHASE
Each student MUST purchase a small hardcover notebook for use in the field. It should be bound down the spine on the left side, or across the top (but NOT spiral bound). The notebook does not necessarily have to be used only for this unit (you may have used it on previous trips) but it should be good quality and able to withstand a week in the field – in what may be wet conditions. The best, and most expensive, option is a waterproof Rite-in-the-Rain, Markrite or Chartwell notebook. There are several versions but the best options are 1. Geological (Rite in the Rain 540F), with columns, lines and grids (good for sketching and data), included classifications; 2. Small Rite in the Rain notebook (200T) which can be inserted in a hard cover (200C). The first will last you several fieldtrips (and units), the second will probably last you this Unit.
A 10x hand lens can be purchased at the Campus Shop. It can be used in many ENVE, BIOL and GEOS units.
SAFETY IN THE FIELD AND LABORATORY
Any student who has a disability that may limit their participation in field work or that could result in a medical emergency in the field should notify the unit convenor immediately. As a general guide to the level of physical fitness required, you should be able to walk 10 km over open undulating terrain in 3 hours.
Each student must ensure his/her own safety at all times during field excursions.
Laboratory work in this unit does not involve hazardous chemicals. Nevertheless, in the laboratory you must wear safe (closed) footwear and generally follow safe practice. Where items of equipment are to be used, do not use them until you have received adequate training.
All students taking ENVE266 are eligible for the Geoff Humphreys Prize for proficiency in this unit. The prize is for $300 (cash).
Geoff Humphreys was a lecturer in Physical Geography from 1994 to 2007 but had an association with Macquarie extending back to the early 1970s when he began his undergraduate degree here. Geoff was an energetic and enthusiastic researcher and teacher in soil science and geomorphology. His great passion was researching the processes of soil formation, especially the role of the biosphere in soil turnover and movement – bioturbation. Geoff was very much at home in the field and greatly enjoyed teaching students in the bush where it is possible to see processes in action and also the landscape context of detailed measurements.
Geoff was instrumental in devising the curriculum of ENVE266 and taught in the unit for many years. This prize, first awarded in 2007 following Geoff’s sudden death, is awarded to the student who shows the most proficiency in this unit which attempts to convey some of Geoff’s fascination with how landscapes work.