Students

ENVS237 – Natural Hazards

2017 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Christina Magill
Contact via Email
12 Wally's Walk, Room 425
By appointment
Lecturer
Damian Gore
Contact via Email
12 Wally's Walk, Room 514
By appointment
Tutor
Peter Johnston
Contact via Email
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
18cp at 100 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Everybody is at risk from natural hazards, either physically or economically, and as the global population grows, so too does the social and economic impact of natural disasters. Individual disasters in Australia have caused damage greater than $1.5 billion and globally individual disasters have caused damage greater than $300 billion. These disasters are a significant drain on our economy and cause enormous human suffering. However, some locations, individuals, communities and societies are more at risk than others and experience greater losses following natural hazards. This unit examines the risk posed by natural perils through an understanding of the causes and impacts of the most significant natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones and tsunami, as well as 'megahazards' such as asteroid impacts with Earth. Specialists in natural hazards may pursue careers in the emergency services, disaster management, the insurance industry and hazards research.

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:

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

General Assessment Information

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 to 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 practical value will be deducted for each day a practical 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 there are exceptional circumstances. 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 (christina.magill@mq.edu.au)

If you miss a practical submission (note: attendance at practicals is not compulsory)

Through:

Illness, misfortune, or special events 

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

  • 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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Practical 1 5% No Wk 2 - 13 Aug 17
Practical 2 5% No Wk 3 - 20 Aug 17
Practical 3 5% No Wk 4 - 27 Aug 17
Practical 4 5% No Wk 5 - 3 Sep 17
Practical 5 5% No Wk 6 - 10 Sep 17
Practical 6 5% No Wk 7 - 17 Sep 17
Practical 7 5% No Wk 8 - 8 Oct 17
Practical 8 5% No Wk 9 - 15 Oct 17
Practical 9 5% No Wk 10 - 22 Oct 17
Practical 10 5% No Wk 11 - 29 Oct 17
Final examination 50% No TBA

Practical 1

Due: Wk 2 - 13 Aug 17
Weighting: 5%

Hazard and risk - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 2

Due: Wk 3 - 20 Aug 17
Weighting: 5%

Earthquakes - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 3

Due: Wk 4 - 27 Aug 17
Weighting: 5%

Volcanic eruptions - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 4

Due: Wk 5 - 3 Sep 17
Weighting: 5%

Tropical cyclones - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 5

Due: Wk 6 - 10 Sep 17
Weighting: 5%

Floods - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 6

Due: Wk 7 - 17 Sep 17
Weighting: 5%

Tsunami - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 7

Due: Wk 8 - 8 Oct 17
Weighting: 5%

ENSO - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 8

Due: Wk 9 - 15 Oct 17
Weighting: 5%

Bushfires - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 9

Due: Wk 10 - 22 Oct 17
Weighting: 5%

Pandemics - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Practical 10

Due: Wk 11 - 29 Oct 17
Weighting: 5%

Disaster scenario - detail on unit website


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Final examination

Due: TBA
Weighting: 50%

Final examination - time and place to be set by the University later in the session


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Delivery and Resources

Classes - This unit is taught via lectures, workshops (practicals), readings and assessment tasks. Students should use iLearn to access teaching and learning materials, to stay in touch with the unit, to contact the lecturer and tutors, and to discuss issues and concepts with classmates.

Recommended Texts - There is no prescribed text for ENVS237. However readings will be provided and we may refer to an electronic text that we have placed on the unit website for your convenience.

Workload - Workload for units at Macquarie University is based on a minimum of 3 hours per credit point per week to receive a Pass grade (www.mq.edu.au/study/other-study-options/professional-development-and-general-interest/non-award-study/planning-your-studies). This requires planning on your part to do all the work required in lectures, attend workshops/practicals, complete practical assessment tasks and reading, and study for the final exam. For ENVS237 this means you are expected to work at least 9 hours per week on the 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!

Activity Hours per activity # of activities Hours per session
Lectures 1 24 24
Practicals 2 11 21
Assignments 3 10 30
Readings     30
Exam     30
Total for session     135
Per week (15 weeks)     9

 

Assessment criteria

  • Answering the question with a well-developed discussion of the topic, and its implications, which places the topic in a broader context.

  • Appropriate use and citation of a wide range of relevant literature, including texts, research papers, reports, and online sources.

  • 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. Your submissions must not be hand written.

  • Using correct International System of Units (SI units) and correct abbreviations.

  • Referring to figures and tables in the text if required, full and appropriate titles on each figure and table, irrelevant material omitted, and sources given.

  • Citing references correctly and consistently in the text as well as in the reference list, no abbreviations, and correct citation of chapters in edited books (see libguides.mq.edu.au/Referencing for help).

  • 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 student’s assignments 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 ENVS237 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).

  Developing Functional Proficient Advanced
Level of attainment

Has not yet reached the desired standard. Limited understanding of required concepts and knowledge. Numerical responses incorrect or no working shown. 

A fail grade would be given. 

Has reached basic academic standards. Work has limited translation of concepts and procedures to new contexts unless aided. Numerical responses may be correct and some working is shown.

A pass grade would be awarded.

Has completely reached the standards expected.

Can work independently in new contexts, adapting procedures to meet the context. Demonstrates awareness of own limitations. Numerical answers correct and working shown.

A credit grade would be awarded.

Has gone beyond the expected standards.

Exhibits high levels of independence and can use concepts to generate new ways of completing procedures. Can engage in productive critical reflection. Numerical answers correct and full working shown.

A grade of distinction or high distinction would be awarded.

iLearn - The primary means of communication for this unit is via iLearn and email. iLearn is a web-based computer-mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. 

We expect you to use iLearn for:

  • Checking subject announcements regularly (at least twice per week). 

  • Discussing the unit and its content with staff and other students.

  • Downloading lectures (as audio files through Echo360, and as downloadable PDF presentations) and practical materials. Echo360 - A guide for accessing lecture recordings through the Echo360 EchoCenter page in iLearn is at mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/lecture_recordings.htm.

  • Downloading reference materials.

Technologies used and required - Access to and competency with browser-based software. Use of Excel or a similar spreadsheet program is strongly recommended.

Logging in to iLearn - The URL for the iLearn login page is: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please visit the Student Services Website students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/ for information on how to get assistance. If you have problems logging on after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact OneHelp, www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

Got a question?

  1. Read the unit guide.

  2. Consult iLearn (the question may have already been asked).

  3. All questions on lecture content should be posted on the iLearn forum. We monitor the iLearn forum and will ensure all questions are answered correctly. If the answer to any unit-related question will benefit others, please post it on iLearn.

  4. Tutors: for questions about practical content. If you can ask questions throughout practical sessions, please do so as that way you will get a timely answer. Externals - please feel free to email us at any time - you also have access to teaching staff. 

  5. Unit convenor: questions about lecture content, organising alternative times for assessments or extensions, withdrawal and personal matters.

  6. Unexpected changes made during the unit will announced via the website so make sure you check iLearn regularly. 

Unit Schedule

The unit is taught via lectures, workshops/practicals, readings and assessment tasks. Class times and locations are at timetables.mq.edu.au/

While there will be much overlap, lectures 3-14 will focus on specific natural hazards, lectures 15 to 21 will focus on vulnerability to hazards, and lectures 22-23 will focus on understanding risk. 

Week 1. Lecture 1: Introduction and overview. Lecture 2: Hazard, vulnerability and risk. Practical: None.

Week 2. Lecture 3: Earthquakes. Lecture 4: Volcanic eruptions. Practical 1: Hazard and risk.

Week 3Lecture 5: Mass movements. Lecture 6: Convective storms. Practical 2: Earthquakes.

Week 4Lecture 7: Hail and tornados. Lecture 8: Tropical cyclones. Practical 3: Volcanic eruptions.

Week 5Lecture 9: Floods. Lecture 10: Coastal and oceanic hazards. Practical 4: Tropical cyclones.

Week 6Lecture 11: Tsunami. Lecture 12: ENSO and droughts. Practical 5: Floods.

Week 7Lecture 13: Heatwaves and bushfires. Lecture 14: Biohazards and pandemics. Practical 6: Tsunami.

Week 8: Labour day - no lecture. Lecture 15: Secondary and technological hazards. Practical 7: ENSO.

Week 9Lecture 16: Emergency management. Lecture 17: Building and infrastructure vulnerability. Practical 8: Bushfires.

Week 10Lecture 18: Community vulnerability. Lecture 19: Health and disasters. Practical 9: Pandemics.

Week 11Lecture 20: Economic and network impacts. Lecture 21: Global change. Practical 10: Disaster scenario.

Week 12Lecture 22: Modelling hazard and risk. Lecture 23: Mega-hazards. Practical: None.

Week 13Lecture 24: Revision. No second lecture. Practical: Exam revision drop-in.

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_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

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/

Results

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.

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Effective Communication

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concepts of hazard, vulnerability and risk
  • Recognise and understand the key processes by which natural hazards occur
  • Understand the spatial and temporal patterns of natural hazards
  • Understand the physical, economic and social consequences of natural hazards
  • Understand and explain the critical pathways between natural hazards and their impacts
  • Develop critical reasoning and analytical skills through regular reading and assessment tasks
  • Develop written and verbal communication skills

Assessment tasks

  • Practical 1
  • Practical 2
  • Practical 3
  • Practical 4
  • Practical 5
  • Practical 6
  • Practical 7
  • Practical 8
  • Practical 9
  • Practical 10
  • Final examination