Students
GEOS1910 – Advanced Earth and Environmental Sciences I
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Heather Handley
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to BAdvSc
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit caters for advanced Earth and Environmental students who are strong in chemistry, biology, mathematics or physics and who are interested in pursuing a scientific career. This unit consists of weekly research-focussed seminars on current topics in Earth and Environmental sciences with a variety of scientists from a diverse background. Students are expected to produce a presentation on their favourite topic. Students will also undertake research projects with departmental researchers and/or scientists in government departments. |
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:
- ULO1: Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
- ULO2: Evaluate how the experimental design and approach of earth and environmental science studies influences the soundness and impact of conclusions.
- ULO3: Write a short review paper on a topic in earth and environmental science for a non-specialist audience.
- ULO4: Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
- ULO5: Apply knowledge to solve problems and evaluate ideas and information.
- ULO6: Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific report.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Report | 40% | Yes | Week 13 |
| Oral Presentation | 20% | Yes | Week 8 |
| Assignment 2: Data Analysis | 20% | Yes | Week 11 |
| Literature Review | 20% | Yes | Week 5 |
Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The aim of this assignment is to undertake research on a specific problem and produce a scientific report about that research. The student will be embedded into a research group and work as part of that team.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Evaluate how the experimental design and approach of earth and environmental science studies influences the soundness and impact of conclusions.
- Write a short review paper on a topic in earth and environmental science for a non-specialist audience.
- Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
- Apply knowledge to solve problems and evaluate ideas and information.
- Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific report.
Oral Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Each student has to select a topic relevant to the unit on which a ~15-20 minute long oral presentation will be given to the academic staff on the unit, and other invited EES researchers and of course your fellow students.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
Assignment 2: Data Analysis
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The aim of this assignment is to undertake the analysis of a set of earth and environmental science data and produce a scientific report about that analysis.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate how the experimental design and approach of earth and environmental science studies influences the soundness and impact of conclusions.
- Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
- Apply knowledge to solve problems and evaluate ideas and information.
- Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific report.
Literature Review
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The aim of this assignment is to undertake the review of the literature about a particular earth and environmental science topic, so that you can see what the current understanding about that topic is and how it relates to the broader discipline.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Write a short review paper on a topic in earth and environmental science for a non-specialist audience.
- Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Please see Unit Outline in iLearn and the announcements section for up to date delivery and resource information.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.