Environmental Change Field Class

This subject is not offered in 2014.

100 hours

Students taking this subject should have already completed one of the following 1st year subjects Natural Environments, Global Earth, Biology, Famine: The Geography of Scarcity, or other relevant subjects in consultation with the subject coordinator.

Some familiarity with ecology, earth science, archaeology or indigenous studies would be useful.

Students who have completed 121-458 Australian Quaternary Environments or ENST30001 Environmental Change Field Class may not enroll in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (C'wth 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/

This subject comprises a 10 day intensive field trip to tropical far North Queensland in the mid-year break before the start of 2nd semester and a laboratory project to be completed during 2nd semester. Students will engage with topics such as past climate change, biogeography, glacial cycles, changes in sea level, archaeological trends, the effects of people on the environment and the development of modern landscapes. On completion, students should be familiar with the major forces which have shaped physical landscapes over the past 2 million years and the nature of anthropogenic impacts on landscapes. Students should acquire field and laboratory skills in palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and biogeographical methods.

This subject has a maximum quota of 30 students. Interested students must fill out a quota form and have it signed by the subject co-ordinator before enrolling. The required form is available from the Resource Management and Geography office at 221 Bouverie Street.

The objectives of this subject are to develop theoretical and practical skills for the purpose of reconstructing past environmental changes. Site selection, site characterization, sediment core recovery, pollen analysis and landscape identification skills will be developed within a framework which examines human impacts as well as natural processes.

Field report of 1,500 words, due mid semester - 40%, Laboratory report of 2,500 words, due end of semester - 60%,

It is a hurdle requirement that students miss no more than 3 weekly laboratory classes and attend the field trip to be eligible to pass this subject.

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

• 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 research and laboratory skills.
• engage effectively with others in field situations.
• work independently.
• write concise reports or essays.

Please note that this is a quota subject. Students will need to fill out the quota subject application form found on the MSLE website (http://go.unimelb.edu.au/5o6n) and send it back to the MSLE Student Centre in Parkville before the due date listed on the form. A limited number of students will be selected for this subject on the basis of academic merit, subject to meeting the subject’s prerequisites or by demonstrating other appropriate qualifications for selection. Students will be advised of the outcome of their application.