Students

ENVS3462 – Environmental Management

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

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Emilie Ens
By email appointment
Lecturer
Kerrie Tomkins
By email appointment
Lecturer
Scott Wilson
By email appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including (ENV267 or ENVS2467 or ENVS214 or ENVS2115)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides an advanced understanding of the interdisciplinary links between environmental research, management strategies and policy frameworks that are fundamental to environmental management. We explore significant issues and challenges associated with managing dynamic human-nature systems. The unit includes field visits to sites of environmental and Indigenous cultural importance in the Sydney region. Students will develop skills in GIS, App development, data management, science communication, video-editing, policy assessment, grant writing and professional literacy that are designed to enhance employability.

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: Identify and explain the key terms, concepts and approaches in environmental management.
  • ULO2: Evaluate the principal threats to environmental systems and develop appropriate management strategies.
  • ULO3: Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management.
  • ULO4: Utilise maps, graphs, statistics, images and text to convey information to diverse stakeholders in environmental management.
  • ULO5: Critically read, think about, interpret and evaluate environmental and social science data and other information relating to environmental policy, planning and legislation.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Module Quizzes 40% No At the end of each module
Video of site biocultural values 30% No Week 9
Grant application 30% No Week 13

Module Quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: At the end of each module
Weighting: 40%

 

For each module students will need to complete a 20 question multiple choice quiz.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the key terms, concepts and approaches in environmental management.

Video of site biocultural values

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 30%

 

Drawing on practical classes and lectures you are required to produce a 5 minute video on the biocultural values of an environmental management site including GIS maps, data collected using your App and links to relevant Australian legislation and policies.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the key terms, concepts and approaches in environmental management.
  • Evaluate the principal threats to environmental systems and develop appropriate management strategies.
  • Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management.
  • Utilise maps, graphs, statistics, images and text to convey information to diverse stakeholders in environmental management.
  • Critically read, think about, interpret and evaluate environmental and social science data and other information relating to environmental policy, planning and legislation.

Grant application

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

This assessment task requires you to use the template provided in class to write an Expression of Interest for a grant application focusing on an environmental monitoring project.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and explain the key terms, concepts and approaches in environmental management.
  • Evaluate the principal threats to environmental systems and develop appropriate management strategies.
  • Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management.
  • Utilise maps, graphs, statistics, images and text to convey information to diverse stakeholders in environmental management.
  • Critically read, think about, interpret and evaluate environmental and social science data and other information relating to environmental policy, planning and legislation.

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

Delivery

The timetable for ENVS362 can be found at: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/. A detailed class schedule with online lectures and practical topics (including face to face and online practical options) is provided below. Check iLearn regularly for any class schedule updates. ENVS3462 is taught via lectures, practicals, field trips, readings and assessment tasks. It is offered to internal and external students. Students should make use of iLearn to access teaching and learning materials, to submit assignments, to stay in touch with the unit, to contact lecturers, and to discuss issues and concepts with classmates.

Workload

ENVS3462 earns 10 credit points towards your degree. University guidelines state for a 10 credit point unit you are expected to put in at least 9 hours of study per week on average over the semester; around 135 hours in total. This requires planning on your part to do all the work required in lectures, practicals, assignments, and the readings.

Resources

iLearn

The ENVS3462 iLearn page can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/ Information about how students can access iLearn can be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/ iLearn/student_info/index.htm. The iLearn page uses Macquarie University’s standard interface and has links, discussion threads and access to lectures (as audio files through Echo360, and as downloadable PDF presentations) and practical material. Important announcements will be made through iLearn, so please check the ENVS3462 page regularly.

Echo360

Information about how to access lecture recordings through the Echo360 EchoCenter page in iLearn can be found at: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/lecture_recordings.htm

Turnitin

Macquarie University promotes student awareness of information management and information ethics. As well as training and the provision of information, the University tackles the issue of academic honesty through the use of the online program Turnitin. Information about how to submit assignments to Turnitin in iLearn can be found at: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm As well as being a key tool for assignment submission, marking and feedback, Turnitin compares your work with the work of your classmates, with previous students from Macquarie and other universities, with material available on the Internet, and with freely available and subscription based electronic journals. The results are sent only to your lecturers, who will analyse them in reference to the University's Academic Honesty Policy. You will be able to access the results of the Turnitin academic honesty scan for your own assignments, known as your ‘originality report’. In ENVS3462, we will allow you to overwrite the initial submission file with a second submission if you choose to do so, but only up until the final due date and time for the assignment. We consider this opportunity to fine-tune your academic honesty a considerable resource, and we hope that you will use this review process constructively to ensure you are referencing other material correctly and effectively.

Recommended Texts

There is no prescribed textbook for ENVS3462, however, you are expected to complete the weekly readings and the following books may be of particular interest:

• Allan, C. and Stankey, G.H. (Eds.) 2009. Adaptive Environmental Management: A Practitioner's Guide. Springer, New York, and CSIRO Publishing. • Conacher, A. and Conacher, J. 2000. Environmental Planning and Management in Australia. Oxford University Press, U.K. • Dovers, S. and Wild River, S. (Eds.) 2003. Managing Australia’s Environment. The Federation Press, Leichhardt, New South Wales. • Burns, E., D. Lindenmayer, A. Lowe and N. Thurgate (Eds). 2014. Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring, Challenges and Direction, CSIRO Publishing. • Hay, I. 2012. Communicating in Geography and the Environmental Sciences (Fourth Edition). Oxford University Press, Melbourne. • Keen, M., V. A. Brown and R. Dyball. 2005. Social learning in environmental management: towards a sustainable future, Routledge.

The following journals may also be particularly useful: • Journal of Environmental Management • Australasian Journal of Environmental Management • Environment International • Ecological Management and Restoration • Science of the Total Environment

Also check out the following websites for the latest information on global and Australian environments and their management: • Australia State of the Environment 2016. Available online at http://www.environment.go v.au/soe/index.html • Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services http://www.ipbes.net/about-us.

• United Nations Environment Program http://www.unep.org

• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

Unit Schedule

 

Week

    Lecture      

    Date

Lecture Topics

   (Online: Thurs 9-11am)

Practical Classes

Face to Face:

Th 11-1, Th 3-5; Fr 3-5

Online: Th 5-7

 

Assessment Tasks

 

MODULE 1: Multidisciplinarity and Conservation - Emilie Ens

1

30 July

L1 Multidisciplinary contexts and challenges in Environmental Management (EM)

L2 People in EM and Citizen science

P1 Lane Cove NP mapping and AHIMS data (GIS)

 

 

 

2

6 Aug

L3 Effective communication in EM

L4 EM and the “market”

P2 Make your own field data collection App (Citizen Science)

 

3

13 Aug

L5 Global conservation policy

L6 Australian conservation policy

P3 Adding your Lane Cove NP field data to your GIS map.

MODULE 1 Quiz Due: Tues 18th Aug 5pm (10%)

MODULE 2: Environmental Law and Sustainability - Scott Wilson

4

20 Aug

L7 Introduction to Environmental Law

L8  Planning & Development Assessment

P4 Interrogation of a Review of Environmental Factors

 

5

27 Aug

L9 and L10: GUEST LECTURE: Environmental Defenders Office NSW

P5  - No Practical -

 

6

3 Sep

L11 Principles of Sustainable Development

L12 Application of Sustainable Development

P6 Sustainability on campus

 

7

10 Sep

L13 Waste Management I

L14 Waste Management II

P7 Conducting a Waste Audit

MODULE 2 Quiz Due: Tues 15 Sept 5pm (10%)

Mid-Semester Break (14th Sept – 25th September)

MODULE 3: Indigenous Environmental Management (Caring for Country) - Emilie Ens

8

1 Oct

 

L15 and L16 Indigenous Cultural awareness

      INDIGENOUS GUEST LECTURER

P8 Video editing workshop

 

9

8 Oct

L17 Caring for Country policy and programs

L18 Caring for Sea Country

P9 Proposed (COVID dependent) Field trip: Botany Bay (Kamay)

ASSESSMENT 2 - Biocultural values in an REF VIDEO DUE: Week 9 (30%)

 

MODULE 3 Quiz Due: Tues 20 Oct 5pm (10%)

10

15 Oct

L19 Caring for freshwater places

L20 Caring for land based country

P10 Proposed (COVID dependent) Field trip: Balls Head

MODULE 4: Work in Environmental Management - Kerrie Tomkins

11

22 Oct

L21 Types of Roles and Employability

L22 Project Management and Leadership

P11 MASTERCLASS: Grant Writing workshop

 

 

12

29 Oct

LIBRARY & CAREERS GUEST LECTURES

L23 Career Literacy

L24 Planning and application skills

P12 Preparing a job application and interview techniques

 

 

13

5 Nov

L25 Workplace Ethics

L26 Personal brand and online reputation

 

MODULE 4 Quiz Due: Tues 10 Nov 5pm (10%)

 

ASSESSMENT 3 (Mock ET Grant EOI) DUE: Week 13 (30%)

 

 

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:

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

In 2020, ENVS3462 has been modified in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lectures are online and we are offering online practicals. We are still endeavouring to run field based and face to face practicals; however please stay tuned to ilearn as the schedule may need to change pending University directives.