Ecosystem Processes of Water and Soil (FRST90022)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | April |
|---|---|
| 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; and
- 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
In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:
- Critical thinking (problem definition, analysis and synthesis)
- Report Writing
Last updated: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Six on-line quiz assessments; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
Active participation in workshops and tutorials
| Throughout the semester | 10% |
Report on field trip
| Week 5 | 40% |
Written assignment
| During the assessment period | 40% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- April
Coordinators Patrick Lane, Christopher Weston, and Gary Sheridan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours The subject involves a 4-day field trip (semester 1 mid-semester break - Easter Non-Teaching Period). Field trip 4 days x 8 hours per day = 32 hours , 3 x 3 hour practicals = 9 hours (weeks 3, 5 and 6), 3 x 3 hour tutorial classes = 9 hours (weeks 1, 4 and 7), 6 x 1 hour Lectures = 6 hours (weeks 1, 3-7; 1 hour per week). Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 7 April 2025 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 avaiable to enable self-evaluation of this pre-course material. Teaching period 14 April 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 April 2025 Census date 2 May 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 April contact information
Time commitment details
114
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.
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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Environment Course Graduate Certificate in Environment Course Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation Course Master of Environmental 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 4 March 2025