Students

ENVS3462 – Environmental Management

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
A/Prof Kerrie Tomkins
kerrie.tomkins@mq.edu.au
Email for appointment
Academic Staff
Prof Kirstie Fryirs
kirstie.fryirs@mq.edu.au
Email for appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ENV 267 or ENVS2467
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 working as a practitioner in environmental management. We explore significant issues and challenges associated with managing dynamic human-nature systems from the global to the local-scale. The unit includes field visits to sites in the Sydney region. Students will develop the skills required to work in a diversity of roles in environmental management including, environmental assessment and monitoring, project management and governance, grant writing, professional literacy and geoethics. Workshops and practical activities are designed to enhance graduate capabilities and employability in the environmental management sector.

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: Apply knowledge of environmental management models to evaluate the principal threats and impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to environmental systems
  • ULO2: Source, critically analyse and synthesise different forms of information relating to environmental management, and apply this to develop adaptive management strategies that are appropriate for different environmental issues.
  • ULO3: Reflect on personal and professional values in the context of sustainability, institutional ethics, conflicts of interest and other matters relating to environmental governance.
  • ULO4: Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management to a diverse range of stakeholders.

General Assessment Information

See the ENVS3462 iLearn site for details on each Assessment Task. 

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must:

  • Attempt all assessments, and
  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50 %.

To do this, you are required to attend all of the scheduled classes, including the field trip.

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 tasks must be submitted online through Turnitin unless otherwise indicated. Links for the submission of each assessment will be provided on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy.

Marking of Assessments

Written assessments will be marked through Turnitin with marks and feedback provided through GradeMark. All assessment grades will be available in Gradebook on iLearn. 

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within three weeks of the assessment due date and before the next assessment is due. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marks and feedback are available for viewing.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.  

For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration.  

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted:  

  • Assessment 1 - Geoethics Scenario (quiz and ethics statement) – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies  
  • Assessment 2 - Review of Environmental Factors (REF) – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 
  • Assessment 3 - Grant Application – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
  • Assessment 4 - Personal Capability Profile (video) - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Geoethics scenario 15% No Sun 10 March, 11:55 pm
Review of Environmental Factors (REF) 40% No Sun 7 April, 11:55 pm
Grant application 40% No Sun 26 May, 11:55 pm
Personal capability profile 5% No Sun 2 June, 11:55 pm

Geoethics scenario

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Sun 10 March, 11:55 pm
Weighting: 15%

 

This assessment task requires you to demonstrate an understanding of integrity and ethics in environmental management by reflecting on case studies that highlight geoethical issues and dilemmas.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge of environmental management models to evaluate the principal threats and impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to environmental systems
  • Reflect on personal and professional values in the context of sustainability, institutional ethics, conflicts of interest and other matters relating to environmental governance.

Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

Assessment Type 1: Work-integrated task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sun 7 April, 11:55 pm
Weighting: 40%

 

In this group assessment, you will undertake an REF for the South Creek Catchment using the NSW Government REF workflow and reporting structure.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge of environmental management models to evaluate the principal threats and impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to environmental systems
  • Source, critically analyse and synthesise different forms of information relating to environmental management, and apply this to develop adaptive management strategies that are appropriate for different environmental issues.
  • Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Grant application

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Sun 26 May, 11:55 pm
Weighting: 40%

 

This assessment task requires you to write an Expression of Interest for an Environmental Trust Grant focusing on an environmental management issue identified at a field site.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge of environmental management models to evaluate the principal threats and impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to environmental systems
  • Source, critically analyse and synthesise different forms of information relating to environmental management, and apply this to develop adaptive management strategies that are appropriate for different environmental issues.
  • Reflect on personal and professional values in the context of sustainability, institutional ethics, conflicts of interest and other matters relating to environmental governance.
  • Analyse and communicate complex issues in environmental management to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Personal capability profile

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 3 hours
Due: Sun 2 June, 11:55 pm
Weighting: 5%

 

For this assessment, you will evaluate your capabilities and job readiness to work as a practitioner in environmental management using the NSW Capability Framework.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Reflect on personal and professional values in the context of sustainability, institutional ethics, conflicts of interest and other matters relating to environmental governance.

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

Week 1 classes

The workshops for this unit will commence in Week 1.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements posted on iLearn.

Students should make use of iLearn to access learning and teaching materials, submit assessments, stay in touch with the unit, contact lecturers, and discuss issues and concepts with others in the class.

For any general questions about the unit, please post these in the Discussion Forum. For private matters, please send a Private message to the Unit Contact. The links for these are in the Communications folder on the ENVS3462 iLearn page. 

Class Schedule

Students should use Class Finder to see when and where classes are being held:

This year, the ENVS3462 workshops have been scheduled for 9 am to 1 pm on Fridays in Building 01 Central Courtyard (01CC), room 109. There is also a field trip to South Creek in week 5 during the normal workshop time which is compulsory. A detailed schedule with the weekly topics and assessment due dates will be provided on the ENVS3462 iLearn site. Check iLearn regularly for any class schedule updates.

Note: all of the workshops are delivered face to face and will NOT be recorded. 

Learning activities

This unit is comprised of 11 weeks of ~ 4 hr workshops, including the field trip to South Creek. The format of the workshops varies and includes mini lectures, practical hands-on activities, small-group problem solving exercises and a graduate panel in Week 1. It is essential that you attend each week as the workshops are not recorded and there are no repeats. 

There are two weeks when there are no classes - Week 6 (due to Easter) and Week 12. You should use these weeks to work on Assessments 2 and 3 since each is worth a substantial proportion of the unit grade.

The Week 5 workshop is a field trip to South Creek at St Marys. We will meet on-site at 9:30 am so you will need to make your own way there by either driving or catching the train (the closest station is St Marys, then it's a short walk to the site). Further details on the field trip will be provided through iLearn closer to the date. 

In addition to the workshops, you are also required to spend time doing your own independent reading and research with most of this time going towards completing the assessments. As a guide, you should aim to spend approximately 100 hours of your own time on the unit over the semester, in addition to the workshops and field trip. This requires good planning on your part to ensure that you meet the assessment due dates.

Technologies Used and Required

You will need to bring a computer to the workshops each week. We will use basic programs such as Word and Excel. You will also need to access the workshop materials from iLearn, as well as download data and other information from the web for use in the workshops and for the assessments. Electronic submission of the assessment tasks is through iLearn using the Turnitin and Assignment links.

Field Work, Health and Safety

To minimise the risk of WHS accidents in the field, you must wear appropriate clothing and footwear on the field trip. You will also need to bring adequate water and food.

Prior to the field trip, you will need to sign up to Field Friendly (via iLearn) so that you are covered by the university insurance during the trip. This sign-up is compulsory and if you haven't signed up by the closing date, you will not be permitted to attend.

COVID Information

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirusfaqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Background Reading

There is no textbook for this unit. Instead, relevant reading material includes government reports, legislation, journal articles etc, which are all accessible via the web.

 

 

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 year we have done a substantial revamp of the unit to make it more focused on working in environmental management. We have revised the weekly content and assessments, and changed from running separate lectures and pracs to ~4 hr workshops each week. 

Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook