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SLE103 - Ecology and the Environment

Year:

2020 unit information

Important Update:

Classes and seminars in Trimester 2/Semester 2, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of your trimester or semester.

Last updated: 2 June 2020

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne)
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:

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.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

Trimester 1: 2 x 1 hour class per week, 5 x 2 hour seminars per trimester.

Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne) students are required to attend intensive study blocks (4 days of 3 hour seminars held each week for a three-week period, beginning the first week of Trimester 3)

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.

  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

These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment Description Student output Weighting (% total mark for unit) Indicative due week
Group poster presentation Oral presentation 15% Week 6
Online multiple choice test 1-hour online test 20% Week 7
Written report Written scientific report (1500-2000 words) 25% Week 10
Examination 2-hour written examination 40% Examination period

Assessment

Trimester 3:
Assessment Description Student output Weighting (% total mark for unit) Indicative due week
Group poster presentation Oral presentation 15% Intensive week 2
Online multiple choice test 1-hour online test 20% Intensive week 2
Written report Written scientific report (1500-2000 words) 25% Intensive week 5
In-class test (exam) 2-hour written examination 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

Prescribed text(s): SLE103 Custom Publication, 2018, Ecology and the Environment Custom Publication (5th Ed).

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

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