SLE103 - Ecology and the Environment

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Trimester 3: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SQA101
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Tricia Wevill
Trimester 3: Bill Borrie
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: SLEM103
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

Trimester 1: 2 x 1 hour online lectures per week (weeks 1-4 and 6-10), 2 x 1 hour seminars per trimester (weeks 5 and 11), 5 x 2 hour practical experience (workshops) per trimester.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Trimester 3: Online independent and collaborative learning including 5 x 1 hour online lectures per week (intensive, 4 days per week, weeks 1-3), 2 x 2 hour online seminar per week (weeks 1 and 3). Students must attend and participate in practical experience (workshops) and practical experience (field trip) at the Burwood (Melbourne) campus on a scheduled half-day (typically Tuesday week 2).

Content

SLE103 introduces students to the science of ecology, investigating relationships between organisms and the environment. In this unit, students will also explore climate change and energy issues. They will learn about the nature of science and the scientific method and how to use a systems framework to investigate environmental issues.  This will equip students with the capacity to study key environmental issues such as climate systems and ecological systems and make a difference.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1 Explain the processes involved in evidence based scientific enquiry.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2 Demonstrate, through verbal and written communication, the ability to apply scientific methodology through individual and group tasks.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3 Describe the factors that contribute to the patterns of global climate systems.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management

ULO4 Compare the processes involved in obtaining electricity for human use from renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5 Identify the abiotic and biotic components within ecosystems, and explain the interactions between these components. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
ULO6 Summarise the impacts of loss of biodiversity on environmental systems. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Group poster presentation

Oral presentation 15% Week 6

Assessment 2
Online multiple choice test

1-hour online test 20% Week 7
Assessment 3
Written report
Written scientific report (1500-2000 words) 25% Week 10
End-of-Unit Assessment  Timed online test 40% End-of-Unit Assessment Period
Trimester 3:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Group poster presentation

Oral presentation 15% Intensive week 2

Assessment 2
Online multiple choice test

1-hour online test 20% Intensive week 2
Assessment 3
Written report
Written scientific report (1500-2000 words) 25% Intensive week 5
Assessment 4
Online test
2-hour online written test 40% Intensive week 6

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE103 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

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