SLE226 - Environmental Team Based Research

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SQB226
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: John White
Prerequisite:

SLE102 and SLE109

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with: Nil
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:

1 x 2 hour online lecture per week, 6 x 3 hour on-line practical experience (computer practical) per trimester, 4 day practical experience (field trip) to the Grampians.

Note:

Students will be required to meet their own expenses while on a 4 day practical experience (field trip).

Content

The design of experiments, analysis of environmental data and working effectively in a team-based situation are critical skills required by all environmental scientists. This unit is devised to step students through the process of environmental research from initial project conception through to presenting the findings of research in a professional format. This unit comprises a series of classes and practicals aimed at developing skills in experimental design, data analysis (using statistical software) and data presentation. A major component of this unit involves students working in a research team to design, conduct and report on their own environmental research project conducted during the Grampians field trip.

This unit has a strong career skills development focus and aims to develop strong analytical skills, research skills, communication skills and teamwork skills all which are critical for employment in the environmental sector.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Design, develop and clearly communicate an experiment to solve a real world environmental problem.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO2

Execute the designed environmental experiment in the field and collect the relevant data as part of a team.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Analyse and interpret basic environmental research data using appropriate technologies to solve real world problems.

GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Synthesize, evaluate and communicate the outcomes of environmental research in a concise scientific fashion using appropriate digital technologies.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Demonstrate transferrable employability skills with cultural awareness by working collaboratively in a team to conduct an authentic real world environmental research project; then reflect on and articulate skills developed in the context of career development and professional work experiences/opportunities.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO7: Teamwork
GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Practical work
Weekly online exercises 10% Weeks 1-5
Assessment 2
Data analysis assignment
Written assignment, approximately 1500 words 20% Week 8
Assessment 3
Team research poster
Collaborative poster, approximately 1000 words 20% Week 9
Assessment 4
Teamwork evaluation and Professional Context
Team Evaluation and written reflective assignment approximately 500-600 words 20% Week 10
Assessment 5
Data analysis test
Online test 30% Week 11

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: SLE226 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

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