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Ecosystem Processes of Water and Soil (FRST90022)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | February |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The subject follows the fate of water as it moves into and through a broad range of land systems and the soil processes that influence the quality and quantity of water. These landscapes include upland forested catchments, extensively managed rural landscapes, intensive land use along floodplains and urban landscapes. The subject develops knowledge of the key water and soil processes that interact with natural and managed terrestrial systems, and students will gain a solid understanding of ecosystem functioning that will allow them to apply soil and water knowledge to address environmental, conservation and rehabilitation issues. Understanding the role of hydrology and soils across these ecosystems is critical for a range of professions including environmental and agricultural scientists, geographers, ecologists and plant scientists.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a broad understanding of contrasting soils and hydrologic processes and their critical interactions across diverse ecosystems – including natural, intensively managed, and urban.
- identify and understand key water and soil processes that are the foundations of ecosystem functioning.
- apply the ecosystem paradigm to solving complex soil, environmental and catchment management problems confronting contemporary landscapes.
- evaluate and interpret water and soil processes in a diverse range of ecosystems from knowledge and skills gained during the subject field trip to ecosystems from the mountains to the sea.
- integrate the practical knowledge and theoretical skills developed in soil and water ecosystem processes, and apply this to real-life ecosystem management, planning and policy issues and problem-solving.
Generic skills
- Critical thinking (problem definition, analysis and synthesis)
- Report Writing
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Four on-line multiple-choice assessments due in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6 of semester (1000 words equivalent; 20%)
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
Report on Field trip and practical work due in week 7 of semester (2000 words; 40%)
| Week 7 | 40% |
Written assignment due in week 11 of semester (2000 words; 40%)
| Week 11 | 40% |
Additional details
Four on-line multiple-choice assessments due in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6 of semester (1000 words equivalent; 20%)
Report on Field trip and practical work due in week 7 of semester (2000 words; 40%)
Written assignment due in week 11 of semester (2000 words; 40%)
during the examination period.
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Gary Sheridan Coordinator Christopher Weston Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours The subject involves a 5-day field trip prior to semester 1 and 3 hours contact per week (1 L + 2P or 2T) for the first six weeks of semester The breakdown of contact hours is: · Field trip 5 days x 8 hours per day = 40 hours · 3 x 2 hour practicals = 6 hours (weeks 2, 4 and 5) · 3 x 2 hour tutorial classes = 6 hours (weeks 1, 3 and 6) · 12 x 10 minute on-line lectures =2 h (made available in the pre-teaching period) · 6 x 1 hour Lectures = 6 hours (weeks 1-6; I hour per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching requirements The subject involves a 5-day field trip prior to semester 1: 5 days x 8 hours per day Teaching period 25 February 2019 to 12 April 2019 Last self-enrol date 6 March 2019 Census date 15 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 April 2019 Assessment period ends 24 May 2019
Additional delivery details
Please note that this subject has a pre-teaching period and during this time students are expected watch and understand 6 pre-recorded short video lectures that will cover the fundamental principles for understanding soil processes and hydrology. Optional online quizzes will enable self-evaluation of this pre-course material. As noted above, the subject also involves a 5 day field trip prior to Semester 1.
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
This subject includes a 5-day field trip prior to semester 1. All materials and readings for this subject will be advised via the LMS.
- Chang, M. (2006) Forest hydrology: an introduction to water and forests. Boca Raton: CRC/Taylor & Francis.
- Eamus, D., Hatton, T., Cook, P. and Colvin, C. (2006) Ecohydrology: Vegetation function, water and resource Management. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.
- Bren L. (2015). Forest Hydrology and Catchment Management: an Australian Perspective. Springer.
- Subject notes
Students may be asked to contribute to travel, accommodation and food expenses while in the field.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 October 2023