REN 3302 Sustainable Resource Use

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

Present and future Australian decision-makers require an understanding of the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development. Students in all major subjects will benefit from an appreciation of the environmental impact of current land and resource uses. As options for sustainable land and resource uses become more constrained, the need for integrated catchment and regional resource planning, becomes more urgent and more crucial to Australia's future.

SYNOPSIS:

This course is offered in even years only. The course is based on an explanation of ecological principles as a basis for managing Australia's land and water resources sustainability. The effects of economic growth and traditional management approaches on land use for agriculture, mining, forestry, protected areas, water catchments and urban expansion are analysed and explained. Environmental impacts are studied and compared economically, ecologically and socially. Current approaches to land and resource use planning and resource use are evaluated in terms of their contribution to a sustainable Australian society.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of ecosystem structure and function as a basis of land use planning;
2. demonstrate an appreciation of the potential and limitations of Australian land resources;
3. recognise the relative advantages and disadvantages of agriculture, mining, forestry, conservation reserves and other alternate land uses;
4. demonstrate an understanding of and be able to apply the principles of ecologically sustainable development;
5. demonstrate a significant contribution to an understanding of sustainable resource use issues through group tutorial sessions;
6. integrate knowledge of development and conservation into their major study.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

VIDEOS: Biodiversity, 1995, London TV Service, London Biological Seatbelts, 1997, Video Education Australasia, Bendigo, Vic. Systems Energy and Matter, 1999, AGC/United Learning, Evanston, Ill Succession & Climax Communities, 2000, Marcom Projects, Evanston, Ill Water Through the Ecosystem, 1999, AGC/Unitd Learning, Evanston, Ill Interactions and Relationships Among Organisms, 2000, Marcom Projects, Evanston, Ill

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Examiner to advise due date for Assignment.

2.

Examiner to advise due date for Project

3.

Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and 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 for each assessment item. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of up to 20% of the total marks gained by the student 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 a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for all 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 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 normally be held during the examination period at the end of the semester of the next offering of this course, although at the discretion of the examiner, in consultation with the student(s) an alternative date may be arranged.
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/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES