Emerging Issues in Land Resources

Subject NRMT40001 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2012.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours seminars and forum debates, 12 hours tutorials
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Eligibility for honours or postgraduate degree
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: 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/

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Land & Food Resources (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides insight into the emerging issues faced by the various land management disciplines, particularly in Australia. These may include social, economic and biophysical aspects of issues such as genetically modified organisms, climate change, globalisation and market protection, access to water, changing consumer demands, spatial information technologies, land and water degradation and loss of biodiversity. Experts in various fields of agriculture, biology, resource management, public policy, climatology and commerce will deliver reviews of emerging issues, and assess potential impacts on agriculture, the environment, rural and urban communities and the rural and national economy in a series of facilitated forums. Approaches for collecting and analysing information that has not been peer reviewed will be examined.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • communicate the major emerging issues impacting on Australian land management disciplines;

  • evaluate the impact of emerging issues on individual industries;

  • evaluate technological and policy needs for mitigating impacts and realising opportunities resulting from emerging issues; and

  • identify new issues as they arise and be able to analyse their potential impact.
Objectives:

The objectives of this 400 level subject are to:

1. Introduce the scientific, technological, economic and policy implications of several of the major issues currently confronting Australia’s land resource industries.

2. Develop skills in the research, analysis and presentation of major policy issues confronting the land resource industries.

3. Develop experience in the organization and conduct of scientific and policy forums

These objectives will be achieved through a series of co-coordinated discussion forums on key issues facing the Australia’s land resource industries.
Assessment:
  • Major report outlining the issue chosen , its science and policy implications- 2,500-3,500 words (40%)
  • Short summary (250-500 words) of your understanding of the discussion of each topic 40% (4 reports x10%)
  • Participation and presentation score for your preparation and participation in the discussions (10%)
  • Preparation and participation in a policy debate (10%)
Prescribed Texts:

None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

None
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours)
Postgraduate Certificate in Food Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Climate Change
Honours Program - Agricultural Science

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