JCU Logo

James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2022

For subject information from 2025 and onwards, please visit the new JCU Course and Subject Handbook website.

EV1005 - Environmental Processes and Global Change

Credit points:03
Year:2022
Student Contribution Band:Band 2
Administered by:College of Science and Engineering (pre 2023 PCS)

Subject Description

    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

  • develop scientific communication skills
  • understand how the Earth functions as a dynamically interactive system
  • understand the causes and complexity of major global and regional environmental problems
  • integrate knowledge and values within the context of environmental issues, particularly global change
  • solve problems in an environmental context

Subject Assessment

  • Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (40%) - Individual
  • Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (10%) - Individual
  • Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (20%) - Individual
  • Written > Problem task - (30%) - Individual

Note that 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.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  EV1001 EA1002

Availabilities

Cairns, Study Period 1, Internal

Census date:Thursday, 24 Mar 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 21 Feb 2022 to Friday, 17 Jun 2022
Coordinator(s):
Assoc. Professor Paul Nelson
Lecturer(s):
Assoc. Professor Paul Nelson
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 26 Hours - Lectures (didactic or interactive)
  • 27 Hours - Practicals
  • 3 Hours - Fieldwork

JCU Singapore, Study Period 51, Internal

Usually available in even-numbered years.

Census date:Thursday, 07 Apr 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 14 Mar 2022 to Friday, 17 Jun 2022
Coordinator(s):
Assoc. Professor Paul Nelson
Lecturer(s):
MS Holly Siow
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 61 Hours - Other - Combined Lectures; Practicals; and fieldwork

JCU Singapore, Study Period 53, Internal

Usually available in even-numbered years.

Census date:Thursday, 01 Dec 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 07 Nov 2022 to Friday, 17 Feb 2023
Coordinator(s):
Professor Scott Smithers
Lecturer(s):
MS Nursheena Katermeran
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 61 Hours - Other - Combined Lectures; Practicals; and fieldwork

JCU Singapore, Study Period 53, Internal (not available in 2022)

Usually available in odd-numbered years.

Census date:Thursday, 01 Dec 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 07 Nov 2022 to Friday, 17 Feb 2023
Coordinator(s):
Professor Scott Smithers
Lecturer(s):
MS Nursheena Katermeran
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 61 Hours - Other - Combined Lectures; Practicals; and fieldwork

Townsville, Study Period 1, Internal

Census date:Thursday, 24 Mar 2022
Study Period Dates:Monday, 21 Feb 2022 to Friday, 17 Jun 2022
Coordinator(s):
Professor Scott Smithers
Lecturer(s):
Professor Scott Smithers
Workload expectations:The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
  • 26 Hours - Lectures (didactic or interactive)
  • 27 Hours - Practicals
  • 8 Hours - Fieldwork