Course Title: Sensors and Data: Framework to Policy
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Sensors and Data: Framework to Policy
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Course Coordinator: N/A
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925
Course Coordinator Email: @rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Availability: Email for an appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Assumed Knowledge
To complete this course successfully, you should have completed or be enrolled in any chemistry first-year course and any mathematics/statistics courses.
Course Description
This applied course introduces you to use of environmentally sensed data, monitoring methodologies, chemometrics and multivariate statistics which are required to understand environmental systems. Legislative frameworks, formal reporting requirements and policy will be analysed and applied to enhance human and environmental health.
In this course, we will focus on the various approaches to data acquisition (direct, remote, meta analysis, time series amongst others) that contribute to enhanced understanding of our environment. Analysis of sources, pathways, and consequences of anthropogenic pollutants and natural contaminants will be address via analysis of real-world and industry focused problems. Australian and international policy and legislative reporting requirements will frame how we address environmental and human health issues. This course covers important topics aligned with the UN-Sustainable development goals for Good Health and Well Being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:
BP192 Environmental Science
- PLO 1: Apply an interdisciplinary knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts, and practices in the environmental sciences.
- PLO 2: Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence through research with reflection on the role, relevance and significance of environmental science.
- PLO 3: Apply principles of scientific inquiry, tools, and techniques relevant to environmental science to solve problems informed by evidence-based decision making.
- PLO 4: Critically evaluate and communicate concepts and practice relevant to the fields of environmental science to diverse audiences utilising a variety of modes employing integrity and culturally safe practices.
- PLO 6: Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to environmental science and exhibit safe and ethical conduct.
On completion of this course you will be able to:
- Apply a theoretical knowledge of environmental monitoring techniques and data analysis to the spatial complexity of the environment to assess real-world issues.
- Perform sensor measurements and compare these with established or standardised data to establish and appropriateness in environment monitoring.
- Use hand-held and manual techniques (including sensors such as hyperspectral cameras, portable sonde units, and other hand-held instruments such as FTIR, NIR) to take measurements, and record data for appropriate analysis.
- In the context of the appropriate legislative context, analysis and report on data to enable informed decisions by government and industry.
- Communicate results, analysis and synthesis clearly and coherently through a range of appropriate media.
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be presented with several learning activities ranging from recorded lectures, lectorials and workshops, and practicals or field visits, including both individual and group activities. Delivery of lectorials and workshops may be face to face, online, or a hybrid model. Delivery of practicals and site visits will be Face to Face (in-person).
The learning activities included in this course are online lectures where syllabus material will be delivered online. The lectorials/workshops will be used to discuss and explain the subject matter in an interactive manner illustrated with demonstrations and examples. Completion of tutorial questions and laboratory projects are designed to give further practice in the application of theory concepts, and provide feedback on your progress and understanding. Completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and written problems will promote deeper understanding of the subject matter.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or your peers and seek out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, links, and material specific to this course that is available through the RMIT student website.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through Canvas where lecture notes, online resources, practice questions, laboratory and site visit manuals, and recorded content wil be available for you to access.
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 RMIT student site.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Online Problem Scenarios
Weighting (30%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory/Site Reports/Data Analysis
Weighting (30%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3, 4 & 5
Assessment Task 3: Problem Based Final Timed Assessment
Weighting (40%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2
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.