Outline

Overview

Human population growth is causing irreversible change to almost all environments on earth. The extent of human change has been so great that a new geological epoch, the anthropocene, has been defined. Global warming, the introduction of pollutants and excessive use of nutrients are stressors affecting the biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems, and pose threats to human and environmental health. These human impacts carefully need to be monitored to guide appropriate management of urban, natural and agricultural systems. In this unit you will learn about transport pathways of pollutants, bioaccumulation, environmental toxicology (e.g., LD50 values), environmental monitoring and remediation techniques. Through lectures, laboratories and group work, concepts and methods of environmental monitoring will be illustrated and discussed including findings from the latest research. You will participate in structured practical exercises and field trips where you will apply sampling techniques, use bio-indicators and diversity indices to monitor ecosystem functioning. You will interpret the results and assess what the implications are for the ecological functioning and sustainable management of the environment. These hands-on exercises will be complemented with case-studies to guide you in critically analysing and evaluating environmental monitoring data. By taking this unit, you will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in monitoring sites impacted by human activity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AGCH3033
Assumed knowledge ?	Understanding of scientific principles and concepts including biodiversity, human impacts on the environment, properties of substances (e.g., acidity, alkalinity, solvents) and basic knowledge of statistics.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Feike Dijkstra, feike.dijkstra@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Malcolm Possell, malcolm.possell@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam CANVAS timed exam, open book	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	*Lab reports (3)** Based on the field and lab work	30%	Multiple weeks	1500-2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Submission of Powerpoint slides with written narrative	10%	Week 08	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Group presentation: Group activity, where 3-4 students will present a monitoring plan of a site with a specific environmental problem handed out at the start of the semester.
Lab reports: You will write 3 lab reports (on water, soil and air quality measurements, respectively) based on the field and lab work.
Final exam: There will be a final exam at the end of the semester assessing your understanding of material covered during the lectures and laboratories. The exam will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions, including some calculations.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. It reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. It reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate a good command and knowledge of the unit material. It reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate proficiency in the unit material. It reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Why monitor	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Sampling and data analyses	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Sampling and analyses of water quality at Centennial Park	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 03	Sampling designs	Lecture (2 hr)
	Analyses of water quality from water samples at Centennial Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
	Sampling design/data analyses	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Monitoring water quality - parameters	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Analyses of water quality from water samples at Centennial Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Monitoring water quality – Eutrophication and sampling	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Sampling and analyses of soil quality at Miranda Park	Field trip (4 hr)
Week 06	Monitoring of soil quality – Organic pollutants: pesticides and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons	Lecture (2 hr)
	Analyses of soil quality from soil samples at Miranda Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
	Water quality example calculations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Monitoring of soil quality – heavy metals and engineered nanoparticles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Analyses of soil quality from soil samples at Miranda Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Student presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Analyses of soil quality from soil samples at Miranda Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Monitoring of air quality 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Soil quality example calculations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Monitoring of air quality 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Sampling and analysis of air quality around Australian Technology Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	Monitoring of air quality 3	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Sampling and analysis of air quality around Australian Technology Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	Introduction to ecotoxicology	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sampling and analysis of air quality around Australian Technology Park	Science laboratory (3 hr)
	Air quality example calculations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Use of bio-indicators	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance requirements for this unit of study have been amended. Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. explain the importance of environmental monitoring in urban, natural and managed ecosystems
LO2. identify measures of exposure and bioaccumulation of pollutants and nutrients in organisms
LO3. apply bio-indicators and biodiversity indices to assess ecosystem functioning and health
LO4. define remediation techniques for sites with specific pollution problems
LO5. design sampling strategies to assess the risk of specific sites to human and environmental health
LO6. carry out sampling and analyses of air, water and soil samples
LO7. evaluate environmental monitoring data and guidelines
LO8. communicate environmental monitoring results to a range of audiences.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thanks all for the overall positive feedback. In general, it appears that the field and lab work were well perceived and that the unit had relevant content. One aspect that stood out was that several of you commented on the fact that the lab reports took a lot of work, but were only weighted 10% each of the final mark. I agree with these comments and consider giving more weight to the lab reports in the future. Thanks for taking the unit, you were a very enjoyable group to work with!

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ENSC2001: Environmental Monitoring

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect