Key facts

UNE unit code: SOIL510

*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
  • Yes
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Polluted and degraded soils cost us millions of dollars every year. They limit productivity and present real human health and environmental risks.

In this unit you will focus on soil pollution and its impact. The unit offers opportunities to develop advanced and integrated knowledge of soil physical, chemical and biological processes, critical for management of key globally important soil degradation issues.

You will explore topics including pollutant behaviour and effects, policy and regulation, sampling and analysis, risk assessment, remediation and rehabilitation, salinity and acidification.

Through site visits, industry speakers, practical and field activities you will hone the skills needed to become an informed environmental manager, able to apply best practice to real world problems underpinned by sound science.

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

StartFinishDurationAttendanceOfferingsNotes
18 April 202420 April 20243 daysMandatory Intensive SchoolAll offeringsThe Intensive School is mandatory for both online and on campus students.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
SOIL310
Combined units

Notes

The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.

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

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Susan Wilson
Susan WilsonProfessor in Environmental Pollution - School of Environmental and Rural Science

Learning outcomes

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

  1. demonstrate an advanced and integrated knowledge of soil physical, chemical and biological processes that are important for degraded and polluted land management;
  2. discuss with expert knowledge, key land degradation and pollution issues and examples, and develop integrated approaches to their assessment, management and remediation using best practice management that can be communicated to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  3. apply an advanced set of robust sampling and analysis techniques for soil pollution assessment and interpret the results independently using a range of systematic approaches in the context of real world management applications;
  4. demonstrate the ability to research autonomously and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or practice by sourcing, accessing and interpreting technical, regulatory and guidance material for best practice management; and
  5. work and communicate as a competent professional in a multidisciplinary team discipline.

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
Advanced EssayYes10%All offerings

Students must obtain at least 50% in this assessment item to pass the unit.

No. Words: 1500

Online AssessmentYes15%All offerings

3 online quizzes.

No. Words: 500

PracticalYes All offerings

The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.

Practical AssignmentYes35%All offerings

3 Components.Students must obtain at least 50% in each of these assessment items to pass the unit.

No. Words: 3500

Final ExaminationYes40%All offerings

Students must obtain at least 50% in the exam to pass the unit.

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.

Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

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