ENV 2201 Land Studies

SubjectCat-NbrClassTermModeDescriptionUnitsCampus
ENV2201211171, 2003EXTLand Studies1.00TWMBA
Academic Group:FOENS
Academic Org:FOES03
HECS Band:2
ASCED Code:050999

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Steven Raine
Moderator: Ernest Yoong



SYNOPSIS:

Professionals in arts, science, engineering and surveying are increasing required to have a knowledge of physical land resources and natural resources management. This course provides an introduction to the physical land resources of geology, soils, landform, climate, vegetation and fauna, the principles of resource management and ecosystem operation and the major causes of land degradation. It also includes an introduction to the methods involved in undertaking a land resource surveys and land evaluations, and includes the processes and legislative requirements associated with environmental impact assessments.


OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • use the principles of resource management;

  • describe the inter-relationships between geology, geomorphology, water, soils, vegetation and fauna resources;

  • apply the techniques commonly used to describe and assess the physical land resources;

  • examine land degradation issues and conservation practices;

  • describe the processes involved in undertaking land resource surveys and land evaluation practices;

  • demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements for environmental impact statements and the techniques involved in environmental impact assessment.



    • TOPICS:


    DescriptionWeighting (%)
    1. Introduction to Resource Management

    1.1. Introduction to the types of natural resources, goals for resource management, problems of resource degradation and criteria for resource use.
    		 5.00
    2. Introductory Ecology & Ecosystems Management

    2.1. Introduction to ecological principles and systems.
    		 10.00
    3. Introduction to the Physical Land Resources

    3.1. Introduction to the processes and description of meteorology, climate, geology, geomorphology, landforms, soils, vegetation, water and fauna resources.
    		 45.00
    4. Land Degradation

    4.1. Overview of common land degradation issues and conservation practices. Erosion, salinity, sodicity, acidity.
    		 10.00
    5. Land Resource Survey and Evaluation

    5.1. Principles and methods of land resource survey. Land systems and land capability assessment.
    		 10.00
    6. Environmental Impact Assessment

    6.1. Introduction to environmental impact statements and processes of impact assessment.
    		 20.00

    REFERENCE MATERIALS:

    Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

    Brady, N. C. 1990, The Nature and Properties of Soils, 10th edition, MacMillan, New York.

    Erickson, P. A. 1994, A Practical Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment, Academic Press, San Diego.

    Gilpin, A. 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the Twenty- First Century, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Gunn, R. H., Beattie, J. A., Reid, R. E. & Van de Graaff, R. H. M. 1988, Australian Soil and Land Survey Handbook: Guidelines for Conducting Surveys, Inkata Press, Melbourne.

    McDonald, R. C., Isbell, R. F., Speight, J. G., Walker, J. & Hopkins, M. S. 1990, Australian Soil and Land Survey - Field Handbook, 2nd edition, Inkata Press, Melbourne.




    STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

    ACTIVITYHOURS
    Assessment54
    Directed Study98
    Examinations3


    ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

    DescriptionMarks Out ofWtg(%)RequiredDue Date
    ASSIGNMENT 1200.0020.00Y28 Mar 2003
    ASSIGNMENT 2300.0030.00Y05 Jun 2003
    3 HOUR CLOSED EXAMINATION500.0050.00YEND S1(see note )
    NOTES:
    .
    Student Administration will advise students of the dates of their examinations during the semester.

    IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

    1. Attendance requirements:
      There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
    2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
      To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available (or at least a grade of C-) for each assessment item.
    3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
      If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 20% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
    4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
      To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 45% in each of the summative assessments and at least 50% of the available weighted marks for the summative assessment items.
    5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
      The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
    6. Examination information:
      In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
    7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
      Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course.
    8. University Regulations:
      Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL: http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/calendar/Part5/ or in the printed version of the current USQ Handbook.

    ASSESSMENT NOTES

    1.The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
    2.Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner.
    3.In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
    4.The Faculty will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media.
    5.The Faculty will NOT accept submission of assignments by facsimile.
    6.Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements.
    7.In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
    8.Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of a course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete - Make up). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study.
    9.Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
    10.The Faculty of Engineering and Surveying does not offer supplementary examinations.
    11.This is a communication benchmark course and a major component of the assessment of this course will be associated with the demonstration of communication skills.