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 (e.g. in a rubric) will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn. 

Hurdle Requirements

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). Failure to meet the hurdle requirement will result in failure of the unit. There is no hurdle activity for this unit.

Submission of Assessments

All assessments must be submitted online through Turnitin unless otherwise indicated. Links for the submission of each assessment will be available on iLearn.​ 

You should always check that you have uploaded the correct file. If you have a problem, please email the Unit Convenor with your correct file. You must also keep a copy of your assessments until the end of semester in case there is a problem with your submission. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can provide a copy of your assessment if requested.

Marking of Assessments

Assignments will usually be marked through Turnitin with grades provided through Gradebook on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy unless requested (e.g. a sketch or drawing). 

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within two to three weeks of the date that you submitted it. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assessments 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 it is 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 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 evidence (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension lies with the unit convenor. Permission for extensions must be sought before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please 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 able to accommodate your circumstance if you follow this advice.

Exams

There is no exam for this unit.

Unit Organisation 

This unit is delivered in weekly pre-recorded lectures and on-line classes. The class timetable for this unit can be found through the Timetable portal. 

Students are required to attend classes that will be made available via zoom and attend the presentations (via Zoom unless otherwise identified) in weeks 12 and 13. The weekly class session will include going over the lecture material, identifying the primary elements of interest and then working in small group activities to evaluate key issues and report back on your findings. This will require reviewing the lecture slides and associated materials ahead of the schedule class time. The objective of this format is for the class to actively engage with the weekly material to enhance understanding and learning.

Pre-recorded lectures and on-line classes

The weekly 3-hour lecture block is the main mode of face-to-face delivery in this unit. Due to COVID-19 the class sessions will be online. The format is a mix of formal presentations, class discussions and student exercises. Active student participation and engagement is expected for all students.

The lectures will be pre-recorded and can be accessed via the ENVS8519 iLearn page. They will need to be reviewed ahead of the scheduled class time.

The on-line class sessions will be recorded using Zoom and student attendance at these sessions is a requirement because we will be discussing and evaluating the issues raised in the pre-recorded lecture material in small groups.

Four (3) online modules have been developed for completion in Weeks 4, 6, 8, 11. 

In Weeks 12 and 13, all students are required to be available and present their research project to the class - this is Assessment task 3. At this point in time we expect that the presentations will be NOT be on campus.

iLearn

ENVS8519 makes extensive use of iLearn as the primary portal for information and class communication. All lecture materials, supplementary resources, background readings, key reports and articles and websites are provided via the iLearn page.

iLearn "Announcements" and the "Discussion Forums" are utilised and all students are required to login regularly (at least once per week). It is expected that all students will actively engage and participate in the online and class discussions. Please only email the convenor with private matters – all other questions should be posted on iLearn.

Given the contemporary nature of this subject, regular use is made of the Environmental Health News service: http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ and all students are encouraged to subscribe to the daily "EH News" e-letter to assist with learning.

Workload 

The expected workload for this 10-credit point unit is 150 hours of activity, comprising readings, pre-recorded lectures, class discussions and active learning, and assignments. 

Requirements to complete this unit satisfactorily 

1. Achieve a pass grade or higher.

The descriptions for grades common to all coursework units offered by Macquarie University are outlined in Schedule 1 of the Assessment Policy. 

Recommended Texts and/or Materials 

There is no set textbook for this unit.  These books are highly recommended along with the materials provided in association with the weekly lectures:

• Frumkin, H. (ed.) (2016) Environmental Health: From Global to Local, 3rd Edition. Jossey-Bass.
• Friis, R. (2012) Essentials of Environmental Health.  2nd edition. Jones and Barlett Learning.
• Cromar, N., Cameron, S., and Fallowfield, H. (eds) 2004. Environmental Health in Australia and New Zealand. Oxford University Press. Melbourne.
• McCracken, K. and Phillips, D.  (2017) Global Health: An Introduction to Current and Future Trends.  2nd edition. Routledge.
• Malik et al (2014) Environmental deterioration and human health: natural and anthropogenic determinants.  Springer. e-book  free download        https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-94-007-7890-0.pdf
• Prüss-Ustün, A. et al (2016) Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks.  World Health Organisation.  e-book  free download  http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204585/1/9789241565196_eng.pdf?ua=1

​A good reference book to assist with writing and communication is:  Hay, I. (2012) Communicating in Geography and the Environmental Sciences. Oxford University Press. Melbourne. 4th edition

Key websites include:

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov  
• Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/
• Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CARE) http://www.crccare.com/
• Environmental Health Australia knowledge centre https://www.eh.org.au/resources/knowledge-centre
• NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA) http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/
• NSW Ministry of Health Environmental Health Branch http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/Pages/default.aspx
• Pure Earth   https://www.pureearth.org/
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) https://www.epa.gov  
• WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) https://www.iarc.fr/
• World Health Organization (WHO) Public Health and Environment http://www.who.int/phe/en/

Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Zoom. 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.