Assignment submission, Turnitin and Plagiarism

This is a paperless unit, and no practicals will be physically handed in. You will submit all assignments through iLearn via a Turnitin link. Turnitin is an online program that detects plagiarised pieces of work. It compares not only work between students in the current year but also across previous years, across institutions, with all published materials, and the internet. It is an incredibly effective tool. Please write your work in your own words – in fact it is a requirement for all assignments in the course that they be written in your own words. Do not lend your work to other students - if that student plagiarises your work you too will be penalised. Do not copy and paste text into your document with the thought you will modify it later. Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as your own. Penalties imposed by the University for plagiarism are serious and may include expulsion from the University. We are obliged to deal with any suggestion of plagiarism according to University policy. The University's policy on plagiarism is at www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html. This website includes a general discussion of plagiarism, definitions, examples of plagiarism, procedures that will be followed by the University in cases of plagiarism and recommended penalties. Students are expected that they will be familiar with the content of the website.

Extensions and penalties

10% of the assessment value will be deducted for each day an assessment is late, including each day of a weekend. If you are unable to submit the assignment by the due date then an extension must be sought before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible. To support your extension you will be asked to submit a Disruption to studies request via ask.mq.edu.au (see “If you miss...” below). All applications for extensions of deadlines must be submitted to the unit convener (damian.gore@mq.edu.au).

If you miss an assignment submission

Through:

Illness, misfortune, or special events

• Submit a request for Disruption to Studies via ask.mq.edu.au (do not give doctor's certificates to your lecturers).

• You will need to provide documentation for illness. You cannot provide a medical certificate to ask.mq.edu – you must have the doctor complete a Professional Authority form (www.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/183375/professional_authority_form_paf.pdf). If you do not submit this form with the request, the Disruption to Studies request will be declined by ask.mq.edu.au without ever being sent to the unit convener.

• For other situations you must provide a supporting letter explaining the circumstances that led to you missing the submission date/time (www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/schedule_evidence.html).

• The unit convener will process your Disruption to Studies request. If approved it is your responsibility to arrange with the unit convener (via email) to complete your practical at another time.

Neglect (i.e. forgot or just slack)

• Be honest! - there's no point in submitting the paperwork above.

• Contact the unit convener (via email) to plead your case.

Email Protocol

1. Be courteous i.e. address the intended reader appropriately and say thank you!

2. Spell our names correctly - we extend that courtesy to you; please do the same for us.

3. We endeavour to reply to emails in a timely fashion, but may only check and respond Monday to Friday, during working hours.

Delivery mode

2 hr of lectures + ~2 to 4 hr of prac classes during weeks 2-7 and 9. There is a compulsory 7 day field trip during the mid-session break from 16-22 September. Lecture slides and related material are provided on the unit website just before the lecture. Lectures will be recorded. You are expected to participate in full and to the greatest of your ability. This includes reading the literature, web materials, and completing the assessment tasks to a standard that you would expect to provide to an employer or relevant external body.

ENVS338 is a field and practical intensive unit. We aim to give you the field experience and hands on application to knowledge and theory learnt in class. The objective is to prepare you with skills for the workplace – it is not a content driven course; instead we use content to illuminate skills, practice, method and approach, all of which you will require when working. Content can change constantly in the workplace and you will need flexibility to deal with new or variable content and situations.

Weekday and mid-session fieldwork

We run practical classes in the laboratory or field in the weekly classes and a longer mid-session field trip – all of which are compulsory. Assessment tasks are framed partly around the lectures but mainly around the practical and field components. A few notes about working in the field;

Weather - We do not normally cancel field trips for bad weather (except at contaminated sites - but we can cross that bridge when we come to it). You must be prepared to work in the rain and sun with the appropriate clothing, and avoid dehydration, heat or cold.

Transport - In the practical classes, you must provide your own. On the longer mid-session break field trip, transport will be supplied.

Cost - Transport is provided by the University on the mid-session field work. All other costs on the mid-session field work (e.g. accommodation, food) are yours. During weekday field work, we expect that you can carpool or provide your own transport.

Food - On the mid-session field work, we will stay at or near delightful Bathhurst (200 km west of Sydney) and Crookwell (234 km southwest of Sydney). Most supplies can be purchased at those towns. For those with special food requirements, taking some food out of Sydney is advisable.

Accommodation - On the mid-session field trip will be organised by you. There are various options around Bathurst and Crookwell, but almost certainly a motor inn or country pub. Shared rooms will save on cost, as will camping grounds. We are happy to drive around to a couple of places to pick up people.

Personal field equipment - Each student should bring the following on each field trip;

• Boots; No sandals or thongs in the field. Doesn't have to be steel caps, just sturdy boots. NO BOOTS = NO FIELDWORK.
• Water bottle (full, of course! - we suggest 2 L/day) & food for each day.
• Inclement weather gear (we go irrespective of the weather). An umbrella is sometimes good to write notes under. Warm clothing, sunscreen.
• Hat - NO BASEBALL CAPS. Really. NO BRIMMED HAT = NO FIELDWORK.
• Waterproof (or waterproof bag) field note book and writing implements.
• Calculator, hand lens, reconnaissance maps and readings.
• Camera.
• WHS equipment, including compulsory hi-vis clothing, will be supplied by MQU. If you have your own, preferred hi-vis clothing, please bring it.

Website - Practical material and important messages will be available on www.mq.edu.au/iLearn

Class times and locations:

• Lectures - Fridays, 0900 - 1100 h, 4 Western Road (W5C) Room 303.
• Practicals - Fridays, 1100-1500 h, 3 Innovation Road (EMC²), G220. Pracs may move between various labs so watch the iLearn unit website for advice, before each class.

Recommended resources - Reading suggestions will be provided, mainly from the scientific literature, on an ongoing basis – see unit website.

WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE RUBRIC

Workload for units at Macquarie University is based on a minimum of 3 hours per credit point per week to receive a Pass grade. For ENVS338 this means you are expected to work at least 9 hours per week on this unit to receive a Pass grade. Obviously this is dependent on the speed at which you learn and your ability to study effectively.  You will find you need to spend extra time on different parts of the course content. Depending on when assignments are due, this workload will be spread over the session.  It is critical that you manage your time effectively and work progressively towards assignment submissions well in advance. A guide of hours required to receive a Pass grade is outlined below.  However, keep in mind, grades are awarded on a demonstration of understanding and ability not on effort!

Assessment criteria

• ANSWERING THE QUESTION THAT IS ASKED with a well-developed discussion of the topic, and its implications, that places the topic in a broader context.
• Appropriate use and citation of a wide range of relevant literature, including texts, research papers, and grey literature (if required).
• Demonstrating good planning with a clear structure, headings, and a logical argument based firmly on the literature cited.
• Presenting a legible paper with correct grammar and spelling, and correct use of professional terminology as appropriate. Submissions must not be hand written.
• Using correct SI units and correct abbreviations.
• Referring to figures and tables in the text, with full and appropriate titles on each figure and table, irrelevant material omitted, sources given.
• Citing references acceptably, correctly and consistently in the text as well as in the reference list, no abbreviations, correct citation of chapters in edited books.
• Staying within the word limit.

If you experience difficulty achieving a good standard in your written presentation, please talk to us. The University offers a variety of remedial writing courses and sources of advice that may help you. We emphasise the necessity for clear writing and its importance in your performance assessment.

Assessment of assignments will be based on the Macquarie University scale High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), Credit (Cr), Pass (P) and Fail (Fail). The markers may choose to further refine these grades by use of a “+” or “-“ to indicate work towards the top or the bottom of each grade’s band of marks. Feedback will also come in the form of comments written on each assignment or emailed directly to you, as well as general commentaries directed to the entire class after all marked assignments have been returned (typically in class or via an email list).

In ENVS338 we expect quality in your assignments and a level of knowledge and comprehension of course content that demonstrates what you have learnt throughout your degree and which sets the foundations for a career in this field. Grades for the unit as a whole will be awarded according to the following general criteria (course rubric).

Week 1 (SW/AB). Lecture 1: Introduction, WHS, Professional practise.

Week 2 (SW): Lecture 2: Principles of ecotoxicology & Lab toxicity tests. Practical 1: Ecotoxicology in the laboratory (Lab room to be confirmed).

Week 3 (SW): Lecture 3: Biomonitoring & Bioaccumulation. Practical 2: Measuring in the field.

Week 4 (DG). Lecture 4: Understanding and remediating inorganic contaminants. Practical 3: Metal analysis & QA/QC (EMC² Lab 1).

Week 5 (DG): Lecture 5: Understanding and remediating organic contaminants. Practical 4: Reactive barriers (EMC² Lab 1).

Week 6 (DG): Lecture 6: Groundwater & hydraulics. Practical 5: Piezometer installation and monitoring (E5A compound).

Week 7 (DG): Lecture 7: Mining impacts. Practical 6: Environmental mineralogy (EMC² Lab 1).

Fieldwork (DG/SW): Bathurst, Crookwell, 16-22 Sep. Mine characterisation, ecotoxicology and remediation.

Week 8: Independent study; no classes.

Week 9 (SW): Lecture 8: Ecological Risk Assessment. Practical 7 (DG/SW): Group data analysis.

Weeks 10-13: Independent study; no classes.

 Minimum performance requirement

In order to pass this unit, the aggregate mark must be 50% or greater. It is not compulsory to pass each component.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance at the practicals and mid-session field trip is compulsory. Full details to be provided.

Assignment submission

All assignments must be submitted via iLearn. If you would like feedback through the document, use doc/docx for your submission. If you just want generic comments, feel free to submit pdf.

Extensions and penalties 10% of the mark allocated for the assignment will be deducted per day or part thereof for any work that is submitted late.

Handing work in on time is your responsibility. All applications for special consideration or extension must be sought before the due date unless this is impossible. All applications for extensions of deadlines must be submitted to the unit convenor, with sufficient evidence that their case can be reviewed.

Returning assessment tasks

Assessment tasks will be returned via email.

Student Commitment

Students should expect to spend at least 140 hours in total over the full session on a range of tasks including class contact hours, field work and private study. These are minimum requirements and should you wish to achieve a higher than pass grade, you may choose to work harder or more efficiently.

Feedback and unit evaluation

In this unit you will receive a range of verbal and written feedback on your assessment tasks and work in class or online. To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning, the Department of Environmental Sciences also seeks feedback from students. One of the key ways students have to provide feedback is through unit and teacher evaluation survey. The feedback is anonymous and provides the Department with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied with and areas for improvement. For example, students previously enrolled in this unit have contributed to its development through the suggestion of more group-orientated practical tasks.

Referencing and Citations

There are various referencing styles. They differ markedly between journals and journal types: medical science journals differ from law journals, which differ again from science journals. We take the opinion that there is no correct style, however there is a right way and a wrong way. The right way is to include enough information to attribute ideas, and allow us to find the sources. The more information the better. To help you attain this "right way", we prefer and strongly recommend the referencing style in the journal Science of the Total Environment as it is appropriate for this unit, and it is simple and clear.

Please try to format your assignments using the method detailed here: www.journals.elsevier.com/science-of-the-total-environment/

Referencing style

Citations in the text;

1. Single author: the author's name (without initials, unless there is ambiguity) and the year of publication (e.g. Smith 2000);

2. Two authors: both authors' names, separated buy an ampersand (&), and the year of publication (e.g. Smith & Jones 2000);

3. Three or more authors: first author's name followed by 'et al.' and the year of publication. (Note that the "et" does not have a fullstop as it is a whole word; "al." does have a full stop, to indicate that the word is a truncation). Groups of references should be listed first alphabetically, then chronologically. Examples: "as demonstrated (Allan, 1996a, 1996b, 1999; Allan & Jones, 1995). Kramer et al. (2000) have recently shown ..."

List:

References should be arranged first alphabetically and then further sorted chronologically if necessary. More than one reference from the same author(s) in the same year must be identified by the letters "a", "b", "c", etc., placed after the year of publication. Note that any (consistent) reference style and format may be used.

Examples:

Journal: Van der Geer, J., Hanraads, J.A.J., Lupton, R.A. 2000. The art of writing a scientific article. Journal of Scientific Communications 163, 51-59.

Book: Strunk Jr., W., White, E.B. 1979. The Elements of Style, third ed. Macmillan, New York.

Chapter in an edited book: Mettam, G.R., Adams, L.B. 1999. How to prepare an electronic version of your article, in: Jones, B.S., Smith, R.Z. (Eds.), Introduction to the Electronic Age. E-Publishing Inc., New York, pp. 281-304.

URL: USEPA (United States Environment Protection Authority) Method 1311. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-12/documents/1311.pdf (accessed 27Jul16).