School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Unit Code

    SCI3113
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Mark Andrew LUND

Description

This unit examines the nature of freshwater ecosystems, in particular, their physical and biological characteristics. Current management issues and the impact of human activity on these ecosystems are analysed as well as the strategies for assessing impacts and achieving balanced management.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass either SCC1123 or SCC1111 AND 2 units from SCI1185, SCM2110.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of effective environmental management plans and their relevant strategies for freshwater systems.
  2. Critically evaluate the characteristics of a range of different freshwater ecosystems.
  3. Define the ecological interactions which maintain inland freshwater ecosystems and the threats to them.
  4. Design and undertake field assessments of water quality, hydrological parameters and biological surveys in flowing and non-flowing freshwater systems.
  5. Identify strategies to minimise adverse impacts of such activities.

Unit Content

  1. Biological characteristics of freshwater systems; biota and ecological interactions in lotic and lentic systems; primary productivity and carbon and nutrient pathways in freshwater ecosystems.
  2. Design and implementation of technically sound sampling programs for water quality and biological surveys in freshwater environments.
  3. Introduction to the physical and chemical features of freshwater ecosystems; classification of freshwater systems; nutrient sources; forms of sediment; water as a geomorphic agent; morphology of drainage basins; stream dynamics, lake systems, estuaries, water-logged soils.
  4. Management of freshwater ecosystems: environmental impacts, management of polluting activities and water resource development; regulatory and legislative frameworks for management.
  5. Threats to freshwater environments; eutrophication, pollutants, physical disturbance and infilling, introduced species; case studies of the threats to freshwater ecosystems.

Learning Experience

WIL - Field Experience

Students will undertake, and be assessed on, authentic activities through engagement with industry and community partners.

Students experience an environment where they observe and/or participate in the application of theoretical knowledge and skills in a professional setting, under the supervision of an expert or professional in the field. Examples include study tours, observation, shadowing, fieldwork, industry tours.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Weekly lectures, discussing the nature of freshwater ecosystems is supported through laboratory sessions, which focus on the interrogation and analysis of real world data. Several of the lectures are replaced by field trips to local wetlands. Additional an overnight field trip, allows students to see a range of ecosystem issues and experience sampling in riverine and deep lake locations. Blackboard is used to support learning through support materials for assignments.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory/field work40%
Examination ^End of semester examination40%

^ Mandatory to Pass


Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI3113|2|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Freshwater Ecosystems
  • Unit Code

    SCI3113
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    A/Prof Mark Andrew LUND

Description

This unit examines the nature of freshwater ecosystems, in particular, their physical and biological characteristics. Current management issues and the impact of human activity on these ecosystems are analysed as well as the strategies for assessing impacts and achieving balanced management.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass either SCC1123 or SCC1111 AND 2 units from SCI1185, SCM2110.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Design and undertake field assessments of water quality, hydrological parameters and biological surveys in flowing and non-flowing freshwater systems.
  2. Apply the principles of effective environmental management plans and their relevant strategies for freshwater systems.
  3. Identify strategies to minimise adverse impacts of human activities.
  4. Define the ecological interactions which maintain inland freshwater ecosystems and the threats to them.
  5. Critically evaluate the characteristics of a range of different freshwater ecosystems.

Unit Content

  1. Biological characteristics of freshwater systems; biota and ecological interactions in lotic and lentic systems; primary productivity and carbon and nutrient pathways in freshwater ecosystems.
  2. Design and implementation of technically sound sampling programs for water quality and biological surveys in freshwater environments.
  3. Introduction to the physical and chemical features of freshwater ecosystems; classification of freshwater systems; nutrient sources; forms of sediment; water as a geomorphic agent; morphology of drainage basins; stream dynamics, lake systems, estuaries, water-logged soils.
  4. Management of freshwater ecosystems: environmental impacts, management of polluting activities and water resource development; regulatory and legislative frameworks for management.
  5. Threats to freshwater environments; eutrophication, pollutants, physical disturbance and infilling, introduced species; case studies of the threats to freshwater ecosystems.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

WIL - Field Experience

Students will undertake, and be assessed on, authentic activities through engagement with industry and community partners.

Students experience an environment where they observe and/or participate in the application of theoretical knowledge and skills in a professional setting, under the supervision of an expert or professional in the field. Examples include study tours, observation, shadowing, fieldwork, industry tours.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Weekly lectures, discussing the nature of freshwater ecosystems is supported through laboratory sessions, which focus on the interrogation and analysis of real world data. Several of the lectures are replaced by field trips to local wetlands. Additionally, an overnight field trip, allows students to see a range of ecosystem issues and sampling in riverine and deep lake locations. Blackboard is used to support learning through support materials for assignments.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentBriefing note20%
ReportData analysis report30%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory exercises20%
TestReview tests30%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI3113|3|2