Key facts

UNE unit code: GEPL111

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Planet Earth is undergoing vast anthropogenic induced environmental changes to its physical landscape.

By holistically drawing upon basic physical and theoretical underpinnings from a range of scientific disciplines like geoscience, ecology, biogeography, meteorology, climatology, oceanography, and conservation biology, you will explore and understand the issues and physical impacts surrounding atmospheric and hydrological pollution, biodiversity loss, species extinctions, desertification, soil degradation, global climate change, and declining fisheries.

The human impact on Earth's environment through population growth, the expansion of the urban environment, the global food crisis, and environmental economics, will be also addressed. Sustainable natural resource use is advocated by linking sound science with wise environmental stewardship.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

There are no requisites for this unit.

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Rajanathan Rajaratnam
Rajanathan RajaratnamSenior Lecturer - Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education; School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate coherent theoretical knowledge on physical and scientific processes that drive Earth's environment;
  2. describe the spatial and temporal magnitude of global environmental issues impacting on Earth's physical landscape;
  3. critically evaluate the anthropogenic role behind the emergence of global environmental issues;
  4. demonstrate a firm understanding on sustainable use and conservation of natural resources through the link between sound science and wise environmental stewardship; and
  5. apply life-long foundation skills in scientific communication and physical geography methodology in an associated career.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
AssignmentYes40%Trimester 1, Online

Written Assignment on an Environmental Issue

No. Words: 2000

EssayYes30%Trimester 1, On Campus

Environmental Issue

No. Words: 1500

Online QuizYes10%All offerings

Online Quiz and library exercise

No. Words: 250

PracticalNo10%Trimester 1, On Campus

No. Words: 500

Take Home ExamYes50%All offerings

Timed Moodle Quiz (3 hours)

No. Words: 2,000

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Environmental Science: Towards a Sustainable Future

ISBN: 9780134011271

Wright, R.T. and Boorse, D.F., Pearson 13th ed. 2016

Note: An e-book version is available through the Dixson Library.

Text refers to: All offerings

Communicating in Geography and the Environmental Sciences

ISBN: 9780195576757

Hay, I., Oxford 4th ed. 2012

Note: ebook available ISBN: 9780195522914

Text refers to: All offerings

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