Global Environmental Change (EVSC90017)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject equips participants with an understanding of the role and limitations of science in environmental debates and decision-making. Global changes to the atmosphere, hydrological cycle, land-uses, urbanisation, climate, pollution, biodiversity, pests, and diseases are having profound impacts on the planet, its people and other species. You will gain an appreciation of strengths and limitations in the diversity of scientific approaches used to understand and manage environmental changes. These approaches include empirical observation, mathematical and statistical modelling, and expert opinion. The subject highlights the breadth of environmental changes, and the range of scientific methods that can be used to address these issues. Collectively, these elements provide a sound foundation for science-based advocacy and management that recognises the scientific and social contexts of environmental debates.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- describe major current global environmental challenges facing scientists and policy-makers;
- discuss the relevance of a range of scientific disciplines to environmental management including chemistry, meteorology, ecology, toxicology, hydrology, geology and epidemiology;
- analyse the role of various evidentiary approaches to supporting science-based arguments including empirical observation and analysis, modelling and use of expert opinion; and
- judge the merit of scientific arguments made in documents related to environmental policy.
Generic skills
At the completion of the subject, participants should be able to:
- Work constructively with colleagues to recognise, synthesise and resolve inter-disciplinary perspectives;
- Prepare technical reports and presentations that are accessible to policy-makers;
- Interpret and apply scientific evidence to environmental sustainability problems; and
- Consider the social context of science evidence in decision-making, including human rights, equity and ethics.
Last updated: 6 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: 6 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
An individual manuscript on a 'hot topic' in environmental change (up to 1500 words) written in a short scientific format
| From Week 3 to Week 6 | 25% |
One peer-review of up to 600 words of another student's manuscript (randomly allocated)
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 10% |
Finalisation of manuscript in light of review and feedback; cover letter to editor
| From Week 10 to Week 12 | 5% |
An individually-assessed group presentation during the student symposium. Each student within a group will develop and deliver a 5-10 minute presentation contributing to the given topic
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 20% |
Symposium participation | From Week 5 to Week 10 | 5% |
Active participation in class discussions (3 tutorials across the semester), assessed via contributions to group discussions about the subject material. | Throughout the teaching period | 5% |
A take-home assessment (up to 2000 words) at the end of semester due during exam period
| During the examination period | 30% |
Last updated: 6 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Suzie Reichman Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total of 47 contact hours: 3 x one-hour lectures per week for 9 weeks, 1 x two-hour and 2 x one-hour tutorials across the semester (4 hours total) and 2 x full-day (9-5pm) seminars held mid to late in the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
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: 6 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science Informal specialisation BioSciences Informal specialisation BioSciences - 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: 6 March 2025