Natural Environments
Subject 880-101 (2008)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook
| Credit Points: | 12.500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Level: | Undergraduate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates & Locations: | This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008: Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
On-campus Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: 24 hours of lectures, 12 hours of tutorials, and 12 hours of lab classes Total Time Commitment: 120 hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prerequisites: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corequisites: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recommended Background Knowledge: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non Allowed Subjects: | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core Participation Requirements: | It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. |
Coordinator
Dr Tony Weatherley| Subject Overview: | An understanding of natural systems is crucial for sustainable management and design. This core subject of the Bachelor of Environments introduces students to the main systems that shape the natural world. The subject examines the evolution of the planet Earth, our climate and global weather and the formation and processes of our present landscapes and associated ecosystems. Topics for discussion include: plate tectonics; climate change; the water cycle; major biogeochemical processes, such as soil formation; and the interactions and implications of these processes for the distribution, properties and functioning of tropical and temperate forests, grasslands, deserts, arctic and alpine landscapes; historical and current patterns of plant and animal biodiversity; ecological principles, and the scales at which we examine natural systems. The subject utilises topical case studies from diverse discipline areas to emphasise key fundamentals underpinning sustainable management and design. |
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| Assessment: | 3 online in-semester quizzes of 20-30 minutes duration each (15%); 10 minute project outline (oral progress report during tutorial) from group project (15%); final report of group project 2000-3000 words (20%); final presentation {15-20 minutes} of semester long group project (10%); 2-hour end of semester examination (40%). |
| Prescribed Texts: | TBA |
| Breadth Options: | This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:
You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects. |
| Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
| Generic Skills: | At the completion of this subject students should have the following skills: · An ability to utilise a systems approach to analysing natural systems; · A capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning; · Developed a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship; · Begun to develop a technical competence in analysing natural systems. |
| Links to further information: | http://www.benvs.unimelb.edu.au/ |
| Notes: | Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject. |
| Related Course(s): |
Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering |
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