ENVI4101: Semester 1a, 2022

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Units ENVI4101 Semester 1a 2022 [Block mode]

Unit outline_

ENVI4101: Advanced Research in Environmental Studies

Semester 1a, 2022 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

Environmental Studies is a multi-disciplinary field of research interested in the co-production of the environment by humans and the natural world. In this unit of study you will gain deep insight into the major pathways that guide research in this field. In the first section of this unit, you will engage in active debate with teaching staff and fellow students about key ideas, and methodologies in environmental studies, and how they influence the ways in which environmental research is positioned within society. This will extend the knowledge you have gained from your previous undergraduate studies in this area. In the second section of the unit, you will participate in a reading club with fellow students to systematically review core research contributions in this field. This will provide the breadth of knowledge that will enable you to undertake advanced, original research in this complex, inter-disciplinary area.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Have a broad understanding of fundamental concepts in natural and social sciences, and how these apply to practice, policies and institutions relevant to environment issues; be able to collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information in environmental studies from relevant sources
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Bill Pritchard, bill.pritchard@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Methods assignment Report on the mixed methods approach	30%	Week 03 Due date: 11 Mar 2022 at 17:00	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Major essay Essay on core concepts and their applications	40%	Week 06 Due date: 01 Apr 2022 at 17:00	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Concepts presentation Topics will be allocated to students two weeks prior	15%	Week 07	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Poster Prepare a poster on your Honours topic	15%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Apr 2022 at 17:00	1 poster
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49

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	Introductory session	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Making sense of data	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Creating data	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Innovation in methods	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Qualitative methods and coding	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Data coding exercise	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 07	1-day retreat	Field trip (8 hr)

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. describe and define major approaches and paradigms in the field of environmental studies
LO2. operationalise conceptual and methodological issues in the development of research questions
LO3. make judgements about conceptual and methodological innovation
LO4. implement an appropriate methodology to an environmental problem
LO5. critique the reliability and significance of data sets presented in scientific papers.
LO6. communicate research concepts to peer 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.

This is the first time this unit of study has been offered.

Additional information

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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