Assessment Criteria

Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn. 

Submission of Assessments

Your two major assignments must be submitted online through Turnitin. Links for the submission of each assignment will be available on iLearn.​ Your quizzes are to be completed on iLearn, and your exam must be sat in person during the formal examination period. The due dates for all assessment tasks are not negotiable. If you have commitments that will significantly impact your study during the session then you must plan for this in advance as part of an effective individual study plan and you may need to contact the unit convenor for advice. 

Hurdle Requirement

A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing the unit (see the Assessment Policy). In this unit, the hurdle requirement is that each student attends and satisfactorily completes seven (7) out of the nine (9) practical classes offered. For internal students this means attending and fully completing your scheduled classes each week. For external students, the hurdle is the same but your practical classes will be held during two on-campus sessions and online. Failure to meet the hurdle requirement will result in failure of the unit.

Marking of Assessments

Your two major assignments will be marked through Turnitin and feedback will be noted on the assignment. Do not submit your assignments via email or in hard copy. Your grades will be returned using the Grades Report on iLearn. Grades from your quizzes and the exam will also be made available on iLearn.

Due to the large number of students in the unit (>250), we aim to return your assignments with feedback within three to four weeks of the date that you submit your assignment, and before your next assignment is due. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assignments and feedback are available for viewing.

Penalties for Late Assessments

The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension by the lecturer responsible for the assignment prior to the due date.

Extensions for Assessments

To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension and/or a late penalty lies with the unit convenor/lecturer responsible for the assignment. Permission for extension must be sought well before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible. Let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event: we are likely to be much more sympathetic and flexible in our requirements if you follow this advice.

Exams

Details of exam conditions and timetables can be found at the Exams and Results portal. It is very important to note that the final exam period includes weekdays and weekends and all students (including international exchange students) are expected to present themselves for the exam at the time and place designated in the exam timetable. The timetable will be available in Draft form approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the exams and in Final form four weeks before the commencement of exams.

For unavoidable disruptions during exams, you should apply for Special Consideration as soon as possible. If a Supplementary Examination is granted as a result of the Special Consideration process, the exam time will be scheduled after the conclusion of the official examination period and you will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of the Supplementary Examination. Note that it is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations - all students are expected to ensure that they are available until the final day of the official examination period. You are required to download your room and seat number from the exam website before the exam.

Classes

The class timetable can be found through the Timetable portal.

A detailed class schedule with lecture and practical topics, assessment due dates, etc. will be made available to all enrolled students through iLearn.

The unit is taught via lectures, practical classes, readings, and assessment tasks. Students must make regular use of iLearn to access teaching and learning materials, to submit assessment tasks, to stay in touch with the unit, to contact lecturers and tutors, and to discuss issues and concepts with classmates.

We also recommend that you follow current developments in the multidisciplinary field of environmental science and management by staying abreast of the news.

Unit Organisation

This unit starts with an introductory lecture and an overview of library and scientific writing skills. Following this, there are several core modules and then we conclude the unit with an important unit summary lecture, including exam information and study tips.

Internal Students: a summary of what you need to do

We expect you to attend two 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour practical class each week (unless that day/week is marked in the schedule as having no class). We expect you to devote 9 hours per week (on average) to a 10 credit point unit such as this, which means that you should spend 5 additional hours per week (on average) working towards completion of assessments, readings, etc. for the unit outside of your face-to-face classes.

We strongly encourage you to attend the lectures in person. Illustrative and audio material from the lectures are also available on iLearn.

You must attend the practical classes in person - this is part of the hurdle requirement that stipulates that you must satisfactorily complete 7 out of the 9 practical classes to pass this unit.

The 2-hour “hands-on” practical classes will be held either in the computer laboratory or in the field (i.e. outside!). They are designed to help you work towards the major assignments, to allow you to build on your understanding of core material from lectures, readings and other activities, and to develop some valuable generic and discipline-specific skills. Meet in your usual practical classroom every week then proceed with your tutor to the field when required, unless directed otherwise via iLearn. Look at the class schedule on iLearn to find out whether you need field equipment (e.g. enclosed shoes, hat/raincoat, water bottle, etc.) for your class.

External Students: a summary of what you need to do

We expect you to listen to two iLectures that will be recorded and made available each week (click on the Echo360 icon on the right of the iLearn page). To get the most out of them you’re advised to look at the lecture slides provided on iLearn while listening. Obviously, you will require access to the internet to regularly access iLearn in order to complete this unit. In total, we expect you to devote 9 hours per week (on average) to a 10 credit point unit such as this.

We also expect you to complete online practicals each week that they are run, and to attend two on-campus sessions - this is part of the hurdle requirement that stipulates that you must satisfactorily complete 7 out of the 9 practical classes to pass this unit.

Two on-campus sessions will be held, which will run from 9.00 am - 4 pm. Information and an itinerary for each on-campus session will be released on iLearn. You will spend some time outdoors in the field, so ensure you have sturdy, enclosed footwear (no sandals or thongs), sunscreen, a hat and a raincoat. Water, lunch and snacks for both days are your own responsibility. There is often no food outlets available on campus on Sundays.

These are the only occasions we’ll meet face-to-face, so you need to be fully prepared in order to obtain the maximum benefit. In the weeks prior to the on-campus sessions, listen to all the lectures available and complete the recommended readings. You’re encouraged to look at the online practicals before you come on campus but these will be addressed during those face-to-face sessions.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials 

There is no set textbook for this unit, but there are recommended readings for each module as noted on iLearn.

Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Echo360. See the Instructions on how to log in to iLearn and the iLearn quick guides for students which will help you:

• Getting started - Find out how to navigate and familiarise yourself with the iLearn environment
• Activities - Learn how to effectively complete the activities required of you in iLearn
• Assignments and Gradebook - Find out how to submit assessments and view your grades using iLearn
• Online study tips - Studying online is a unique experience, learn how to navigate it here
• Discussion forums - Explore the different types, and features of discussion forums in iLearn
• Lecture recordings - Find out how to access lectures online, as well as the features available to you

Computer-Based Learning

There are essential computer-based components of this unit, including lectures recorded digitally as .mp3 files (in Echo360), many of the weekly practical exercises, and online discussion forums for communicating with staff and other students in this unit. You can undertake this work from off-campus or on-campus, including through the computer labs (when they are not booked for classes) or in the Library. If you’re unsure of how to connect to the internet or use the computer system, help can be obtained at: http://students.mq.edu.au/support/.

Please note that at the beginning of semester our rolls are often incomplete (due to late transfers and changes of enrollment). In the first week of semester, if your name is missing from the enrollment list, you will be refused access to the system. Try a couple of times, to make sure you have not made a typing error (remember your username and password are CaSe SeNsItIvE). If later in the semester you suddenly find that your access to the iLearn web site has been mysteriously barred, it is probably because your Student Services Fee has not been paid (this is imposed by the University Administration, not us).

General Discussion Forum

The "General Discussion Forum" link on the unit's homepage is a communication system between you and the rest of the class (a bit like an online tutorial or bulletin board). In this unit, we use it to discuss important issues and to resolve problems. You are expected to read every posting to the discussion forum because important administrative and academic information will be posted there - it is your responsibility to stay up-to-date. This is particularly important for External students. Unit-wide announcements may also be shared in very important circumstances.

What is Required to Complete This Unit Satisfactorily?

You must receive a unit grade of at least 50 % to pass.

You must complete the hurdle requirement. The Faculty Board has resolved that from S1 2018 all 100-level units in the Faculty of Science and Engineering will have a compulsory (hurdle) requirement on participation in tutorials, practicals and laboratories. Participation is not simply attendance - 7 out 9 practicals require your attendance and satisfactory completion.

You should complete the full unit workload. We expect you to work 9 hours per week on this unit. Obviously this is dependent on the speed at which you learn and your ability to study effectively. You may 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 semester. It is critical that you manage your time effectively throughout the session and work around other units and commitments you may have. A guide of hours typically 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 time or effort!

Activity	Hours Per Teaching Week	No. of Weeks	Hours Per Session
Lectures	2	12.5	25
Practicals	2	11	22
Quizzes			3
Assignment 1			25
Assignment 2			25
Other (out of class study, reading, exam revision, etc.)	2.3	15	35
Total for semester			135
Per week (15 weeks)			9

You should understand and perform according to the general unit criteria. In this unit we expect quality in your assignments and a level of knowledge and comprehension of course content that sets the foundations for further study in Earth and Environmental Science (at 200-level and beyond). Grades for each assessment task and the unit as a whole will be awarded according to the following general criteria (course rubric):

	Developing	Functional	Proficient	Advanced
General description of the level of attainment	Has not yet reached the desired standard.  A Fail grade (or under some circumstances a Conceded Pass) would be given.	Has reached basic academic standards.  A Pass grade would be awarded.	Has completely reached the standards expected.  A Credit would be awarded.	Has gone beyond the expected standard.  A grade of Distinction or High Distinction would be awarded.
Knowledge and understanding	Limited understanding of required concepts and knowledge.	Can accurately reproduce required facts, but has limited depth of understanding of basic concepts.	Exhibits breadth and depth of understanding.  Uses terminology accurately in new contexts and transfers ideas to new situations.	Exhibits breadth and depth of understanding of concepts.  Can engage in productive critical reflection.
Analysis	Data analysis skills are limited.	Data analysis skills are largely descriptive with limited capacity to combine multiple factors.	Can synthesise data and critique the value and importance of scientific arguments.	Data analysis is sophisticated and is capable of placing examples in context of big ideas, problems and solutions.
Information literacy	Uses immediately available information without discretion.	Can select useful information.  Does not always discriminate between types of sources of information.	Independently selects useful information and can discriminate between types of sources of information.	Independently selects useful information and can critically discriminate between types of sources of information.
Communication and writing skills	Poor written communication skills (e.g. spelling and grammar).  Does not demonstrate an understanding of what is expected in assignment writing and presentation.	Communicates ideas adequately in writing.  Adheres to most basic requirements for written work and assignment presentation.	Communicates effectively and clearly in writing. Adheres to all expectations of assignment writing and presentation.	Communicates adeptly in writing.  Adheres to all expectations of assignment writing and presentation.