Integrated Catchment Science (10224.2)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Academic Program Area - Science | Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
The unit covers topics of landscape description and analysis; water in the landscape; soil erosion and remediation; whole of catchment (WOC) analysis; planning and environmental management of catchments. Practical activities, including field trips, focus on linkages between different parts of the landscape, and will highlight current issues addressed by industry and government organisations to ensure professional relevance of the learning.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Identify key characteristics and features that distinguish different geomorphic and ecological zones in the landscape, including geomorphic units and their age, soil types, surface and ground water hydrology and ecological character and diversity;
2. Make assessments of landscape elements at a variety of landscape scales, in terms of, physical and chemical and biological processes, relationship to other environmental aspects, surface stability, potential hazards and management issues;
3. Identify how variability in hydrological, geological and ecological processes connect or disconnect different elements of the landscape from one another on timescales from hours to millennia. Also, be able to describe how variation in connectivity is related to the frequency and magnitude of climatic events, and what implications this has for management of different parts of the catchment;
4. Demonstrate skills in scientific communication, in particular presenting data and argument clearly and concisely to address a question, to a relevant targeted audience;
5. Demonstrate skills in team work through group projects related to the practical components of the unit; and
6. Adapt concepts developed from local examples into a global context.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
Plants and Animals, 623, and Landscape Processes, 10225.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
Australian Landscape, Regolith and Soils, 8781.Assumed knowledge
1st year chemistry, biology, and mathematics.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
All required reading and manuals are available electronically from the UC Library e-reserve and/or on the unit's Canvas site. Note that students are expected to search for, and review, additional literature for assignments and to read widely on the topics that we cover – a list of relevant articles is available from the Canvas site.
We will use the e-textbook Fryirs and Brierley (2013) aGeomorphic Analysis of River Systems: An Approach to Reading the Landscape througout the unit. This is acessible via the UC Library - please see Canvas for a week-to-week guide on which chapters to cover.
The text from the Earth Systems Science and Earth Surface Processes would be useful as this material is assumed knowledge: The Australian Physical Environment, Bridgman, Dragovich and Dodson, 2008. Oxford University Press.
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS RETAIN A COPY OF ANY ASSESSMENT ITEM SUBMITTED.
Special assessment requirements
Students must achieve a minimum of 45% in 4 of the 6 assessment items as well as achieve an overall minimum mark of 50%, in order to pass this unit.
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Learner engagement
The contact hours for this unit involve 58 hours of lectures, practicals and field trips. The balance of 92 hours should be dedicated to preparation for workshops and the various assessments.
Participation requirements
Your participation in both class and online activities is essential to build your understanding of the unit content. Lack of participation may result in your inability to pass assessment items.
Workshops
Attendance at Practical Workshops is expected, and a medical certificate is required if students are absent from these classes. You will need to attend these classes in order to complete the Workshop tasks which includes assessable items in weeks 9 and 10 (refer to the Canvas site for further details).
Field Trips
The study of catchment processes is heavily field-based and field learning is an important part of this unit. The field trips are subject to University approval and Covid-19 restrictions and changes may be required at late notice. However, attendance field trips for this unit is highly desirable and, if they go ahead, should only be missed because of illness. A medical certificate is required if students are absent from these classes.
Required IT skills
Word processing (Microsoft Word or similar); Excel; Power Point.
Ability to work with online mapping resources is desirable, and we will teach the necessary skills.
This unit may involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.
In-unit costs
Noting that field trips are subject to University approval and Covid-19 restrictions, there may be a small contribution to field travel (not exceeding $150) required.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
Students are required to take responsibility and due care for their own safety and that of others during all outdoor activities. No dangerous items will be permitted on field trips.
In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit convenor is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).
