Students

ENVS6405 – Australian Environmental Futures

2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Dr Kerrie Tomkins
Contact via Email
12 Wallys Walk
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MEnvPlan or MPlan or GradCertEnvPlan or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MSusDev or GradDipSusDev or GradCertSusDev or MScInnovationEnvSc or MScInnovationGeologyGeophys
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This interdisciplinary unit critically examines key environmental, social, economic, cultural and political processes and relationships that underpin environmental management and sustainability within and across urban, rural and remote areas of Australia. It focuses on three core aspects: the unique characteristics of the Australian environment and the need to manage impacts; the role of policy, planning and legislation as effective tools in environmental management; and the importance of implementing strategies that engage people as part of the solution to environmental problems. Contemporary examples, such as the management of river systems and managing bushfire regimes, are used to illustrate the complexity of environmental management. While hands-on practicals, field visits and assessment tasks support the development of technical and professional skills needed for careers in environmental science, policy, social science, planning and geography. The unit is accessible for students with degrees from a broad range of backgrounds, and develops foundational knowledge and skills relating to the environment and sustainability in order to facilitate higher level studies.

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: Combine different sources of data, information and own knowledge to analyse complex environmental management issues and impacts on the environment.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of environmental policy, planning and legislation in Australia, and how these are used to address environmental issues and impacts.
  • ULO3: Use inter-disciplinary approaches and show sound judgement in decision-making with respect to environmental management and sustainability planning.
  • ULO4: Apply skills and knowledge to prepare materials and documents that are commonly used in environmental professions.
  • ULO5: Use written, verbal and digital forms of communication to present ideas and information clearly to different audiences, including government and community.

General Assessment Information

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.  

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 

Assessments will 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. 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 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

Details of exam conditions and timetables can be found on the Exams and Results portal. The draft exam timetable will be released approximately eight weeks before the commencement of the exams. The final exam timetable will be published 4 weeks before commencement. All students (including exchange students) are expected to present themselves for the exam at the time and place designated in the exam timetable. Note this may include weekends.

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 prior to the exam with the exact date and time of the Supplementary Examination. You will only be allowed one opportunity to sit the Supplementary Exam as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Environmental management question 20% No 20/08/2021
Environmental assessment report 30% No 01/10/2021
Stakeholder debate 20% No Week 12 practical
Exam 30% No Exam period

Environmental management question

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 20/08/2021
Weighting: 20%

 

This assessment requires students to use different types of maps and additional data to answer a real-world environmental management question.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Combine different sources of data, information and own knowledge to analyse complex environmental management issues and impacts on the environment.
  • Apply skills and knowledge to prepare materials and documents that are commonly used in environmental professions.
  • Use written, verbal and digital forms of communication to present ideas and information clearly to different audiences, including government and community.

Environmental assessment report

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 01/10/2021
Weighting: 30%

 

This assessment requires students to conduct an environmental assessment for a local site and present the findings in a report to Council.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of environmental policy, planning and legislation in Australia, and how these are used to address environmental issues and impacts.
  • Apply skills and knowledge to prepare materials and documents that are commonly used in environmental professions.
  • Use written, verbal and digital forms of communication to present ideas and information clearly to different audiences, including government and community.

Stakeholder debate

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 12 practical
Weighting: 20%

 

This assessment requires students to work in groups to prepare and present a case for their stakeholder.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Use inter-disciplinary approaches and show sound judgement in decision-making with respect to environmental management and sustainability planning.
  • Apply skills and knowledge to prepare materials and documents that are commonly used in environmental professions.
  • Use written, verbal and digital forms of communication to present ideas and information clearly to different audiences, including government and community.

Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 30%

 

Final exam covering the unit material.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Combine different sources of data, information and own knowledge to analyse complex environmental management issues and impacts on the environment.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of environmental policy, planning and legislation in Australia, and how these are used to address environmental issues and impacts.
  • Use inter-disciplinary approaches and show sound judgement in decision-making with respect to environmental management and sustainability planning.

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

Unit iLearn 

This unit has an iLearn page that can be accessed through ilearn.mq.edu.au. It contains important information and other materials relating to the course, including details and links for assessments. 

Communication 

The unit iLearn is the primary way that we communicate with you. Please check it regularly for announcements and posts. You are encouraged to use the Discussion Board on iLearn to post questions and generate discussion with other students. Please only email the convenor with private matters - all other questions should be posted on iLearn.

Unit Organisation and Unit Schedule

This unit is organised into three modules:

  • Module 1 - ​Australia's unique environment and the need to manage impacts. This module examines some of the physical environmental management challenges posed by people and Australia's unique environment, such as the impacts of bushfire management on vegetation communities, and the impacts of urban areas on streams.
  • Module 2 - The role of environmental policy, planning and legislation as effective tools in environmental management. This module focuses on how policy, planning and legislation impacts on the environment through strategic planning, development controls and day-to-day decision-making. This module will tie together your understanding of the physical environment and some of the tools that are used to prevent or manage environmental impacts in urban areas.
  • Module 3 - Importance of implementing strategies that engage people as part of the solution. This module explores several themes in environmental management and decision-making including, ways of engaging people in environmental protection and management issues, identifying stakeholders, negotiation and decision-making processes. This module will demonstrate the social/political challenges and complexities of environmental management.

The content in the unit is conveyed through weekly lectures and practicals. The organisation of these is outlined in a detailed unit schedule which is available on iLearn. 

We use multiple approaches in teaching and delivery, including blended learning and experiential learning, such as reading texts, watching videos, listening to audio resources, visiting field sites, participating in class activities and online discussion forums. The emphasis is on enabling students to understand and apply various techniques used in environmental management.

Class Timetable

The class timetable for this unit can be found through the Timetable portal.

All lectures in the unit are online via Zoom. The lectures will be interactive with time at the end for Q&A and discussion. 

At this stage we are still planning for on-campus practicals:

  • Students enrolled in the Weekday attendance offering (Internal) will need to attend campus each week to undertake the practicals.
  • Students enrolled in the Infrequent attendance offering (External) will need to attend campus for 4 x 4 hr practical sessions in Weeks 2, 6, 9 and 12. 

Please check the unit schedule carefully as some weeks may have other instructions or require you to meet in a different location. Any updates or changes to the unit or classes will be announced through iLearn.

Workload  

The expected workload for this 10 credit point unit is 150 hours of activity, comprising of lectures, practicals, completion of assessments and individual study.  

Requirements to complete this unit satisfactorily  

To complete this unit satisfactorily, you must: 

  1. Attend all scheduled classes; 
  2. Complete all assessments; and 
  3. Achieve a pass grade or higher. 

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

Recommended Texts and/or Materials  

There is no specific textbook for this unit. You will be required to research information independently and consult a wide variety of information sources to aid your learning in this unit.

Referencing

In this unit, the preferred style of referencing is Harvard (author, date). For further details on the Harvard style, go to: https://libguides.mq.edu.au/referencing/Harvard

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 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

This unit was previously co-taught with staff from the Faculty of Arts. Due to the change, we've made some modifications to the assessments and unit schedule.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook