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Ecosystem Processes of Water and Soil (FRST90022)
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
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | April |
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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
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 |
---|---|---|
Four on-line multiple-choice assessments due in weeks 3, 5, 6 and 7
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
Report on Field trip and practical work
| Week 5 | 40% |
Written assignment
| Week 8 | 40% |
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Dates & times
- April
Coordinators Christopher Weston, Patrick Lane, and Gary Sheridan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Field trip 4 days x 8 hours per day = 32 hours , 3 x 3 hour practicals = 9 hours (in alternative weeks), 3 x 3 hour tutorial classes = 9 hours (in alternative weeks), 6 x 1 hour Lectures = 6 hours (1 hour per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 6 April 2020 Pre teaching requirements During the pre-teaching period students are expected to 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 be made available to enable self-evaluation of this pre-course material, and it is strongly recommended that these are completed prior to the field trip. Teaching period 14 April 2020 to 31 May 2020 Last self-enrol date 7 April 2020 Census date 24 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 29 May 2020 Assessment period ends 28 June 2020
Additional delivery details
The subject involves a 4-day field trip (semester 1 mid-semester break - Easter Non-Teaching Period).
Work undertaken during the field trip will be assessed. All materials and readings for this subject will be advised via the LMS.
Last updated: 11 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
During the pre-teaching period students are expected to 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 be made available to enable self-evaluation of this pre-course material, and it is strongly recommended that these are completed prior to the field trip.
Suitable texts will be advised prior to the subject pre-teaching period. Please check the LMS for more information.
- Subject notes
Students may be asked to contribute to travel, accommodation and food expenses while in the field.
During the pre-teaching period students are expected to 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 be made available to enable self-evaluation of this pre-course material, and it is strongly recommended that these are completed prior to the field trip.
- 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