Environmental Change

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Students taking this subject should have already completed 37.5 points at second/third year in geography, ecology or a cognate discipline, and must have completed at least one of the following subjects: 121-433, 121-310, 121-033, 121-030, 121-231, 121-021, 121-018, 121-071, 654-204, 606-204, 654-308, 606-207, 606-301, 606-310, 625-223, 625-313, 625-332, 107-007, 107-232, 202-201, 202-203, 220-307, 207-202 or relevant subjects in consultation with the subject coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Quaternary encompasses the past 2.5 million years of earth and human history. In this subject students will encounter topics such as climate changes, dating methods, glacial/interglacial cycles, sea level changes and associated biotic responses, palynology, the effects of hunter-gatherers on the environment, Quaternary geomorphology, and the development of modern landscapes. On completion of the subject students should be familiar with aspect of the Quaternary such as the major forces which have driven environmental change; the processes which operated to shape physical landscapes; the nature of anthropogenic impacts on landscapes. Students should acquire field and laboratory skills in palaeoenvironmental methods; in Quaternary geomorphological methods; and methods to analyse and reconstruct past environments.

An assignment of 4000 words 50% (due on the last day of semester) and a field report and exercises totalling 4000 words 50% (due on the last day of semester). Students must attend at least 80% of scheduled practical classes to be eligible to pass this subject.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music

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.

• have gained skills in the oral presentation of information and ideas to a small audience;

• demonstrate advanced research and presentation skills;

• engage effectively with others in field situations;

• work independently;

• write concise reports or essays.

This subject is run as a 10-day intensive field trip, usually to either Tasmania or Queensland. A quota of 30 students applies to this subject. Students should contact the School Office for further details. Students who have completed 121-458 Australian Quaternary Environments may not enrol in this subject.

Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 degree and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.