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Safeguarding Dark Skies (PHYC30025)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2023
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Overview
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Light pollution is one of the fastest growing challenges in modern society but is rarely recognised or incorporated into urban development and city planning. Light pollution is rapidly erasing our view of the stars, negatively impacting astronomical heritage and astrophysics research, as well as damaging the health and behaviour of humans and wildlife, with further consequences on tourism and economics. The challenge of slowing the growth of artificial light and reducing light pollution for the benefit of society and the environment falls primarily on urban planning and landscape design through engineering solutions and policy implementation.
Students in this 2-week summer intensive, trans-disciplinary subject will be introduced to each of these topics by global experts in their respective fields and apply what they have learned in their degree programs to seek solutions through practical sessions and fieldwork with real-world results.
Central questions include: How does light pollution impact astronomy, ecology, human health, and society as a whole? What are the main sources and contributors to this problem? How is our understanding of the stars impacted by the growth of light pollution? How are artificial satellites contributing to this issue? What impact does light pollution have on Indigenous health and cultures? How can we address these concerns through the study of landscape architecture, city planning, and urban design? What are the current success stories in this space that can direct these solutions?
Students will spend two days on the University of Melbourne Parkville or Southbank campuses (approx. 1.00pm to 9.00pm) to survey lighting, ecology, and star visibility. This will serve as the basis of a group project to develop a strategic plan to addresses concerns and find solutions to light pollution on these campuses.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Apply a working knowledge of light pollution and its impacts, and the importance of dark skies.
- Develop core knowledge about issues around light pollution.
- Develop solutions by applying knowledge to solve real world problems through fieldwork.
- Communicating interdisciplinary knowledge to the academic and public sectors
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed through reflection, case studies, activities and application;
- Research and analysis skills developed through preparation of exercises and assessments;
- Verbal and written communication skills, developed through discussion, activities, and assessment; and
- GS4. Utilise transdisciplinary research to address real-world issues.
Last updated: 23 August 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
100 credit points in Level 2 subjects
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
This highly interdisciplinary subject draws from a large number of disciplines, many of which have applications to this work. This subject is highly recommended for students who have completed one or more of the following:
- PHYC10010: Indigenous Astronomy*
- PLAN10002: Introduction to Urban Planning
- HPSC20015: Astronomy in World History*
- PHYC20017: Archaeoastronomy*
- BIOL10001: Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna
- ENST20001: Human Behaviour and Environment
- ECOL20003: Ecology
- ZOOL20004: Australian Wildlife Biology
- EVSC30006: Ecology of Urban Landscapes
- ABPL20036: Environmental Building Systems
- ARCH30003: Environmental Design: commercial
*Subjects in Cultural Astronomy Breadth Track
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: 23 August 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Attendance
| Throughout the teaching period | 0% |
In-class exam
| End of Week 1 of teaching period | 20% |
Reflective Journal (individual)
| Week 2 of the teaching period | 20% |
Group Project Report
| During the examination period | 40% |
Video Presentation (group)
| During the examination period | 20% |
Last updated: 23 August 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2023
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 23 August 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
The End of Night by Paul Bogard
Recommended texts and other resources
Fighting Light Pollution: Smart Lighting Solutions for Individuals and Communities by The International Dark-Sky Association
Acquainted with the Night: Excursions Through the World After Dark by Christopher Dewdney
- Subject notes
This will be the third and final subject for an interdisciplinary Breadth stream on social astronomy, which includes Indigenous Astronomy (PHYC10010) and Archaeoastronomy (PHYC20017). Each subject brings together an increasingly interdisciplinary approach that is delivered across-disciplines/faculties with a primary focus on understanding, respecting, and safeguarding Indigenous ways of knowing and living.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 23 August 2024