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Environmental Modelling (EVSC90020)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Modelling is a fundamental component of Environmental Science, being used for prediction, monitoring, auditing, evaluation, and assessment. This subject introduces students to a wide range of models used by environmental scientists including models of climate change, population dynamics, pollution, hydrology, habitat and species distributions. Both deterministic and stochastic models are used as examples. The subject explains how to develop conceptual models that can then be quantified and analysed using mathematical and statistical methods. Topics covered include development of the basic model structure, estimation of parameters and calibration, methods of analysis, sensitivity analysis, model evaluation and model refinement. The subject teaches students how to simplify apparently complex problems.
Intended learning outcomes
The subject aims to provide students with:
- an appreciation for the role of modelling in environmental science;
- an overview of the range of environmental models in use;
- the skills required to model environmental systems and processes;
- an introduction to the construction and mathematical analysis of environmental models; and
- a high level of ability to analyse and evaluate environmental models.
Generic skills
Generic skills gained from this subject include:
- synthesis of information from a range of sources;
- appropriate simplification of complex problems to make them amendable to analysis;
- high level written communication and presentation skills;
- high level oral communication and presentation skills;
- the ability to exercise critical judgement, think rigorously and independently, account for decisions, and solve problems; and
- application of advanced analytical methods.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
600-615 Thinking and Reasoning with Data or equivalent statistical subject
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST90044 | Thinking and Reasoning with Data | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
One literature review or essay of up to 3000 words
| Mid semester | 30% |
Two reports on construction, analysis and/or evaluation of environmental models up to 3000 words in total (30% each), one due mid semester and one due at the end of semester
| During the teaching period | 60% |
One oral presentation due towards the end of semester
| Second half of the teaching period | 10% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Casey Visintin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x 1-hour lectures each week and 6 x 3-hour practical (computer laboratory) classes (42 hours in total) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
To be confirmed
Recommended texts and other resources
Environmental Modelling: Finding Simplicity in Complexity (Wainwright and Mulligan)
Bayesian Methods for Ecology (McCarthy)
- 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: 3 November 2022