Problem Solving in Environmental Science

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

None

For the purposes of considering requests 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 for 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/

Students completing this subject should have an appreciation of environmental decision-making and the role of scientists in that process; have developed a critical understanding of methodologies used for the assessment of human impacts on the natural environment; understand the statistical principles underlying the design of environmental impact assessment and monitoring; and have experience in conducting and presenting the results of a multi-disciplinary research project in environmental impact assessment.

Topics include methodologies of hypothesis development, experimental design and testing in environmental impact assessment, design and analysis of sampling and monitoring programs and their subsequent analysis, evaluating proposed solutions for their technical feasibility and risk, and the role of scientists in environmental decision-making. Part of the tutorial component and the field day will involve students undertaking a modest original investigation of an environmental problem.

A three-hour end-of semester written examination, an oral presentation before an audience of staff and students, up to 3,000 words of essay work, and an additional report of up to 3,000 words implementing ideas in class to practical situations.

Graduate students enrolled in this subject may share class time with undergraduate students enrolled in a subject of the same name. The graduate students will be expected to obtain a minimum grade of 65% (H2B) for assignments or examinations common to the undergraduate assessment.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.