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EM511 Land Assessment for Sustainable Use

Updated: 16 June 2010
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus C - Internet access required
Armidale Semester 2 On Campus C - Internet access required
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
05 July 2010 08 July 2010 Mandatory Only off-campus students must attend.
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions EM311
Notes None
Combined Units EM311 - Land Assessment for Sustainable Use
Coordinator(s) Lisa Lobry De Bruyn (llobryde@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

A unit that covers the major land degradation issues of Australia (including soil erosion, salinisation, vegetation decline); their extent, processes involved, and rehabilitation and prevention techniques; the principles and procedures for land evaluation for a range of land use options; land capability classification schemes and land suitability analysis for land-use planning. The 500-level unit is based on the undergraduate level unit with additional reading, assignments or projects and the demonstration of a greater level of understanding of the undergraduate material.
Referenced Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Reference material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Environmental Planning and Management in Australia
ISBN: 0195538196
Conacher, A. and Conacher, J., OUP
Note: Available from the Dixson Library, UNE
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20% 1500
Assessment Notes
practical assignment on land degradation. Addiitonal evidence of reading and grasp of the material as evidenced in research effort in all three assignments.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2 GA: 1-4, 6
Assignment 2 20% 1500
Assessment Notes
practical assignment on land evaluation for agriculture. Addiitonal evidence of reading and grasp of the material as evidenced in research effort in all three assignments.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1-4, 6
Assignment 3 60% 4500
Assessment Notes
three stage written problem-based learning investigation on a natural resource management scenario assessed in three stages at Week 8 and Week 13 of semester. Addiitonal evidence of reading and grasp of the material as evidenced in research effort in all three assignments. Addiitonal evidence of reading and grasp of the material as evidenced in research effort in all three assignments.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1-4, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand and describe the variation in extent (both spatially and temporally), of the major land degradation types in Australia, and changes in land managers' awareness and perception of these issues;
  2. understand and explain the biophysical processes responsible for major land degradation issues in Australia and elsewhere, and the influence of biophysical factors, such as soil type, and human intervention or management on their prevalence and severity;
  3. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain availability, design and application of land evaluation schemes and their relevance to the scenario, with due recognition of interactions between land use, land holder, natural environment and other factors;
  4. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain the links between - the environment, land management practices and the land holder - and their combined influence over sustainable use of natural resources;
  5. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain the types of solutions most likely to be adopted by the land manager or organisation, with appreciation of the biophysical processes and human intervention or management practices that contributed to the land degradation issue.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are placed in the role of natural resource practitioner in a problem-based learning scenario based on a realistic situation. They also examine the changing role of the natural resource manager in the workplace, and the knowledge and skills required. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students work in groups and are expected to present findings from class discussions, and in written form in all assignments. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students examine land degradation and land evaluation examples from around the world. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are instructed, assessed and expected to demonstrate research capacity in written assignments, and utilise a wide range of sources. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students are instructed in learning skills that will be useful to them beyond the unit of learning. 		True
6 Problem Solving
Students undertake a 13 week problem based learning assignment that involves problem solving. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students are expected in group discussions and when undertaking group work to exhibit social responsibility. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students work in teams in practical and class activities, and set ground rules for those activities, as well as co-ordinate tasks. 		True True
   

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