Students
ENVG700 – Research Frontiers in Environment and Geography 1
2014 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Andrew McGregor
Contact via andrew.mcgregor@mq.edu.au
703 E7A
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
HGEO806 students will participate in the unit.
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is designed to engage students with current research in Environment and Geography. It will introduce students to a number of the current open research questions across the range of the broad discipline. It is the first of a pair of such units, with the second appearing in the second year of the MRes program. This unit addresses research across the breadth of the discipline, while the second unit will focus on more particular issues related to the student's project area.
Activities may include such things as seminar attendance, directed reading of research papers, the discussion and critiquing of research topics and introduction to new practical techniques with preparatory reading, hands-on experience and a final report. Presentation of a seminar and a written report based on the topics examined are required for completion of this unit.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understanding of core research frontiers in Environment and Geography
- Awareness and appreciation for the breadth of research perspectives within the discipline
- Detailed understanding of one core topic and how it relates to your research interests
- Ability to contribute to academic discussion and present ideas
- Ability to critically assess seminars and identify research processes
- Awareness of the potential and challenges of adopting multidisciplinary research approaches.
- Understanding of the research frontiers being explored by staff within the Department of Environment and Geography
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding research | 15% | Friday 11 April |
| Seminar report | 20% | Friday 23 May |
| Class presentation | 20% | Weeks 11-12 |
| Research frontiers essay | 40% | Monday 9 June |
| Participation | 5% | all semester |
Understanding research
Due: Friday 11 April
Weighting: 15%
Write an essay / report that explores why we conduct research in the area of Environment and Geography. Your report should be reflective, discussing your own goals and motivations, while also reflecting on a discussion with at least one staff member of the Department of Environment and Geography. You are welcome to utilise academic articles, however, this is not essential. 1000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of core research frontiers in Environment and Geography
- Understanding of the research frontiers being explored by staff within the Department of Environment and Geography
Seminar report
Due: Friday 23 May
Weighting: 20%
This report requires students to attend and comment on at least five research seminars they attended during semester. These seminars can be from across the university or at other research institutions. Students are required to write five reports detailing the research components of the seminars in accordance with a pro-forma to be distributed in class. The combined word lenth of all reports should not exceed 2000 words.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of core research frontiers in Environment and Geography
- Awareness and appreciation for the breadth of research perspectives within the discipline
- Ability to critically assess seminars and identify research processes
- Awareness of the potential and challenges of adopting multidisciplinary research approaches.
Class presentation
Due: Weeks 11-12
Weighting: 20%
This task requires students to give a brief oral presentation (10-15 minutes) which reflects on the research frontiers they have found most interesting and comment on how it is informing their ideas for a research project. Students must discuss at least two research frontiers. Presentation times will be confirmed in class.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of core research frontiers in Environment and Geography
- Detailed understanding of one core topic and how it relates to your research interests
- Ability to contribute to academic discussion and present ideas
- Awareness of the potential and challenges of adopting multidisciplinary research approaches.
Research frontiers essay
Due: Monday 9 June
Weighting: 40%
Write a report or essay that compares how social scientists and physical scientists approach one of the research frontier topics introduced this semester, and the relevance of these approaches for your own research ideas. In your report / essay you should explore similarities and differences in approaches, methods and focus. It would be useful to comment on the relevance and potential a multidisciplinary approach might have for your research area. 2500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understanding of core research frontiers in Environment and Geography
- Detailed understanding of one core topic and how it relates to your research interests
- Awareness of the potential and challenges of adopting multidisciplinary research approaches.
Participation
Due: all semester
Weighting: 5%
Students are expected to prepare for, attend, and engage in all dialogue sessions and prepare discussions for at least one session. A participation mark will be determined based on attendance and engagement throughout the semester.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Awareness and appreciation for the breadth of research perspectives within the discipline
- Ability to contribute to academic discussion and present ideas
Delivery and Resources
ENVG700 will make use of web-based teaching support through iLearn. Students will require access to the internet and regular contact with the unit’s iLearn site. To complete assignments students will need access to basic word processing programs and some may wish to make use of PowerPoint for class presentations.
Unit Schedule
Program Mondays 3-5pm W5C 302
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Week |
Date |
Topic |
Staff |
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1 |
3/3 |
Introduction |
AM / FM |
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2 |
10/3 |
Sustainability |
VS / WG |
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3 |
17/3 |
Nature |
AM / DH |
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4 |
24/3 |
Risk |
FM / MT |
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5 |
31/3 |
Climate |
KC / SF |
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6 |
7/4 |
Workshop on topics |
AM |
|
Mid semester break |
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7 |
28/4 |
Place |
SS-P/ PD |
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8 |
5/5 |
Landscape |
TF / KD |
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9 |
12/5 |
Scale |
KF / RH |
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10 |
19/5 |
Ethics |
RH / GE |
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11 |
26/5 |
Student presentations |
AM / FM |
|
12 |
2/6 |
Student presentations |
AM / FM |
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13 |
4/5 |
Queens Birthday |
No class |
AM – Andrew McGregor; FM Fiona Miller; KD – Kirsten Davies; RH – Richie Howitt; KF – Kirstie Fryirs; KC- Kevin Cheung; SF- Sara Fuller; SS-P Sandie Suchet-Pearson; PD _ Peter Davies; VS – Vlad Strezov; WG – Wendy Goldstein; MT – Mark Taylor; GE – Grant Edwards
Policies and Procedures
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.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
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.