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.

Your unit may be subject to government or third party COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please consider this before enrolling in this unit, and speak with the unit coordinator if this raises any concerns.

  • Unit Title

    Physical Environments
  • Unit Code

    SCI1192
  • Year

    2022
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Quinton BURNHAM

Description

This unit adopts an earth system science approach towards examining the origin and nature of physical environments. It examines interactions between subsystems including the biosphere, and the formation of key terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the different components of the biophysical environment and their interconnections
  2. Identify the nature of cycles, their dynamics, feedback processes, and the movement of matter and energy in earth systems
  3. Find and use reliable and accurate sources of information relating to the physical environment
  4. Discuss the effects of global change on the earth system
  5. Integrate relevant information to achieve a holistic understanding of the earth system

Unit Content

  1. Pathways in the hydrological cycle: water as a universal solvent; surface and subsurface water, flow, storage; water erosion and aggradation processes; land and sea ice in the earth system; glaciation, movement and change; ocean basins, circulation, wave motion, tides and changing sea levels.
  2. Earth system science: types of systems, closed vs open systems; cycles and feedback within and between earth systems; internal and external energy sources; states and flux of earth's matter.
  3. Human interaction with the earth subsystems: resource use and reuse; non-renewable resources; systems perspective of anthropogenic change, impacts and global change.
  4. Physical and biotic subsystem interaction: formation of biomes and ecosystems; energy and matter exchange between open systems; material cycling and basic principles of biogeochemical cycling.
  5. Composition and internal structure of the earth: common minerals, rocks; the tectonic cycle; volcanic and seismic activity; weathering processes, regolith cycle and development of landscapes.
  6. Evolution of the atmosphere: composition and physics; wind and weather systems; global circulation, regional and local weather systems; past and present climate systems; changes in climate and feedbacks.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

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

This unit comprises of six modules, each which focusses on an key component of the Earth’s biophysical environment (the earth system, geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere). For each module, students engage with theory through lectures, readings, participation in student-led class discussions, and hands-on laboratory work and complete a weekly quiz. There is also a field trip to study the local biophysical environment.

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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOn line quizzes20%
Laboratory WorkPractical tests and/or laboratory/field reports40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOn line quizzes20%
Laboratory WorkPractical tests and/or laboratory/field reports40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination40%

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 Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SCI1192|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.

Your unit may be subject to government or third party COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please consider this before enrolling in this unit, and speak with the unit coordinator if this raises any concerns.

  • Unit Title

    Physical Environments
  • Unit Code

    SCI1192
  • Year

    2022
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Quinton BURNHAM

Description

This unit adopts an earth system science approach towards examining the origin and nature of physical environments. It examines interactions between subsystems including the biosphere, and the formation of key terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the different components of the biophysical environment and their interconnections
  2. Identify the nature of cycles, their dynamics, feedback processes, and the movement of matter and energy in earth systems
  3. Find and use reliable and accurate sources of information relating to the physical environment
  4. Discuss the effects of global change on the earth system
  5. Integrate relevant information to achieve a holistic understanding of the earth system

Unit Content

  1. Pathways in the hydrological cycle: water as a universal solvent; surface and subsurface water, flow, storage; water erosion and aggradation processes; land and sea ice in the earth system; glaciation, movement and change; ocean basins, circulation, wave motion, tides and changing sea levels.
  2. Earth system science: types of systems, closed vs open systems; cycles and feedback within and between earth systems; internal and external energy sources; states and flux of earth's matter.
  3. Human interaction with the earth subsystems: resource use and reuse; non-renewable resources; systems perspective of anthropogenic change, impacts and global change.
  4. Physical and biotic subsystem interaction: formation of biomes and ecosystems; energy and matter exchange between open systems; material cycling and basic principles of biogeochemical cycling.
  5. Composition and internal structure of the earth: common minerals, rocks; the tectonic cycle; volcanic and seismic activity; weathering processes, regolith cycle and development of landscapes.
  6. Evolution of the atmosphere: composition and physics; wind and weather systems; global circulation, regional and local weather systems; past and present climate systems; changes in climate and feedbacks.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

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

This unit comprises of six modules, each which focusses on an key component of the Earth’s biophysical environment (the earth system, geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and anthroposphere). For each module, students engage with theory through lectures, readings, participation in student-led class discussions, and hands-on laboratory work and complete a weekly quiz. There is also a field trip to study the local biophysical environment.

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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOn line quizzes20%
Laboratory WorkPractical tests and/or laboratory/field reports40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentOn line quizzes20%
Laboratory WorkPractical tests and/or laboratory/field reports40%
ExaminationEnd of Semester Examination40%

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 Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SCI1192|2|2