James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2009

EV1001 - Introduction to Environmental Science

Credit points: 03
Year: 2009
Student Contribution Band: Band 4
Administered by: Discipline of Environmental Sciences

This subject provides an introduction to environmental science and is the foundation subject for students majoring in, or with an interest in, environmental science, environmental management or physical geography. It gives an overview of the most important groups of environmental processes in terms of their operation, complexities and natural and human interactions. We focus on the status of scientific knowledge and the knowledge gaps of the particular process. Each topic provides and overview of the process, set within the context of one major environmental problem related to it. We review the science needed to contribute to the understanding of the problem in finding solutions to it. Topics covered may include: the global climate system and climate change, water in the environment, sustainability of the earth's resources, ecosystems and biodiversity, population growth and indigenous issues relating to the environment. The practical/workshop sessions will develop themes introduced in lectures, and introduce the technical tools and methods used by practitioners in the field.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Qualities


Availabilities

Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator: Dr Kevin Parnell
Lecturers: Ms Christina Doxford, Dr Kevin Parnell, Dr Mark Hamann.
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures - 2 hour lecture/week
  • 27 hours practicals - 3 hour practical; practicals commence Week 2. (Practical class allocation will be displayed on noticeboard outside DB034-119)
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:end of semester exam (50%); essays (20%); practical, tutorial and field exercises (30%).

Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coord/Lect: Professor Jonathan Nott.
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 27 hours practicals
  • 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:end of semester exam (50%); (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.