EV1005 - Environmental Processes and Global Change

Credit points:	03
Year:	2012
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	Sch of Earth & Environmental Sciences

This subject provides an introduction to environmental science and is the foundation subject for students majoring in, or with an interest in, earth science, 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 an overview of the process, set within the context of major environmental problems 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, natural hazards, water in the environment, landform development, 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

• to develop oral and written communication skills;
• to provide an overview of how the Earth functions as a dynamically interactive system;
• to integrate knowledge and values within the context of environmental issues, particularly global change;
• to promote an understanding of the causes and complexity of major global and regional environmental problems;
• to provide practice in problem solving in an environmental context.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to lead, manage and contribute effectively to teams.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

EV1001 EA1002

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2012
Coordinator:	Dr Kevin Parnell
Lecturers:	Ms Christina Doxford, Dr Kevin Parnell, Dr Mark Hamann.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 27 hours practicals 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); essays (20%); practical, tutorial & field exercises (30%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2012
Coordinator:	Mr Peter Whitehead
Lecturers:	Mr Peter Whitehead, Dr Paul Nelson, Dr Sarah Tweed.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 27 hours practicals 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); essays (20%); practical, tutorial & field exercises (30%).
JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 52
Census Date 09-Aug-2012
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 27 hours practicals 8 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); essays (20%); practical, tutorial & field exercises (30%).

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.