ENV2201 Land Studies

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

Professionals in arts, science, education, engineering and surveying are increasingly 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 land resource surveys and land evaluations, and includes the processes and legislative requirements associated with environmental impact assessments.

OBJECTIVES

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1.

demonstrate an understanding of the principles of resource management (Assignment 1, Exam);

2.

describe the inter-relationships between geology, geomorphology, water, soils, vegetation and fauna resources (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Exam);

3.

apply the techniques commonly used to describe and assess the physical land resources (Assignment 2, Exam);

4.

demonstrate an understanding of land degradation issues and conservation practices (Assignment 1, Assignment 2, Exam);

5.

describe the processes involved in undertaking land resource surveys and land evaluation practices (Exam);

6.

demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements for environmental impact statements and the techniques involved in environmental impact assessment (Assignment 2, Exam).

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).

ENV2201 Land studies: external study package, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.

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, NC 2002, The Nature and Properties of Soils, 13th edn, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Erickson, PA 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, RH, Beattie, JA, Reid, RE & Van de Graaff, RHM 1988, Australian Soil and Land Survey Handbook: Guidelines for Conducting Surveys, Inkata Press, Melbourne.

McDonald, RC, Isbell, RF, Speight, JG, Walker, J & Hopkins, MS 1990, Australian soil and land survey: field handbook, 2nd edn, Inkata Press, Melbourne.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Student Administration will advise students of the dates of their examinations during the semester.

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 satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances then a penalty of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late up to a maximum of ten working days at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade in a course a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks for the course.
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/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.