Course Title: Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ENVI1145

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

ENVI1145

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022

Course Coordinator: Dr Lily van Eeden and Dr Kathryn Hassell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: lily.van.eeden@rmit.edu.au and kathryn.hassell@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.10A or 3.2.10

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for an appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course aims to provide you with work integrated learning (WIL) experiences which simulate the types of tasks you might engage in as a practicing environmental scientist. Students will be required to attend a multi-day field excursion to gain practical skills and knowledge of field research and data collection practices. The course includes working individually and in small teams consisting of people from different areas of expertise. Projects will involve sampling, analyses and report writing on a range of topics, which aim to enhance field, laboratory and analytical skills using environmental samples or observations taken from air, water, soil and biota.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes at AQF level 7: 

  • Understanding science. Demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science and be able to explain the role of environmental science in the community.
  • Scientific knowledge. Exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge.
  • Inquiry and problem solving. Critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science, be able to select and apply practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field and laboratory-based experiments. 
  • Communication. Be an effective communicator of environmental sciences. 
  • Personal and professional responsibility. Be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science.

 


After successfully completing this course you will be able to:

  1. Apply sampling and measurement techniques for monitoring a range of environmental parameters
  2. Critically evaluate information from a range of sources to apply to environmental science practice
  3. Examine environmental and safety hazards to plan and mitigate risk associated with field work
  4. Demonstrate collaboration in a team using project management skills and constructive communication to manage conflicts, as well as the ability to lead, to achieve project goals.
  5. Critically reflect on your work as an environmental science practitioner and develop or apply solutions to improve your practice


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities will include pre-departure online self-guided  activities, an immersive field excursion, and individual and group-based tasks to complete upon return to Australia. 

The learning activities you will undertake will consist of:

  • Lectures where syllabus material will be explained and illustrated with real-world problems and examples
  • On-line assignments covering aspects of theory
  • Fieldwork projects designed to give you practice in the application of theory and analytical procedures
  • Written assignments consisting of a field report, team report and reflective writing
  • Collaborative team work

Total Study Hours

You will be expected to attend 8 hours of formal lectures, a 4 day field trip and work with your team members for 3 hours a week during formally allocated class time (~70 hours).

The expected independent study time for assignments and report writing is 50 hours

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course


Overview of Learning Resources

The primary learning resources for this course comprise the field-based learning experiences during the excursion, including site visits, practical activities, and talks. A range of information and resources to support you to prepare for the field excursion will be available on Canvas. You may also need to see out additional information (books, journal articles, online resources) available through the RMIT Library or other online databases to complete your assessment tasks.

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks will include: 

  • Pre-departure preparation tasks 
  • Field-based practical activities and discussion 
  • Analysis and interpretation of data, synthesised and described in a report 
  • A post-excursion reflection assignment 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Pre-departure assessment task 
Weighting 25% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3 

Assessment Task 2: Field-based activities 
Weighting 20% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5  

Assessment Task 3: Data analysis and report 
Weighting 40% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5 

Assessment Task 4: Reflective report 
Weighting 15% 
This assessment task supports CLO 5 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.