University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Environmental Science and Law

Unit of study descriptions

AFNR5511 Soil Processes, Assessment and Management

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Damien Field Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 Lec, 2 tutorials/wk, case study & oral presentations. Assessment: Essay (30%), Group discussions (20%), Case study report (30%), Group presentation (20%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Soils support agricultural and natural ecosystems and regulate environmental interactions between the hydrosphere and atmosphere. It is the quality of our soils that affect productivity, the environment, health and ultimately sustainability. However, challenges such as those presented by lack of plant nutrient supply, soil acidification, physical degradation, soil contamination, and loss of soil biodiversity are problems at a global scale that threaten the sustainability of the environment and society. As well as the threats the importance of maintaining a quality soil that regulates environmental interactions will be explored, such as soil as a sink for carbon affecting climate interactions or understanding how a rich soil biodiversity can contribute to food production affecting food security. To do this, this unit of study is concerned with exploring the key pedology, soil chemistry, soil physical and soil biological processes that drive these challenges to soil quality. Time will be spent investigating how the quality of the soil can be assessed, using the indicators of the mentioned soil processes, and how the resulting data can be aggregated and communicated in a meaningful way. Working with case studies, the students will identify problems that are assessed using soil quality or function analysis with the aim of identifying management options. The management options will be evaluated to determine their adoptability and implement ability. By investigating the case studies using soil quality or function analysis students will develop their research and enquiry skills. Assessing and developing adoptable management strategies the students will develop their skills in synthesising material from multiple sources and enhance their intellectual autonomy. By producing reports and presenting seminars the students will develop their communication skills.
Textbooks
Textbooks: D. Hillel, 2004. Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics, Elsevier Science, San Diego, CA USA
AFNR5512 Water Management and Variable Climate

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Willem Vervoort (Coordinator), Dr Floris van Ogtrop, Dr Daniel Tan Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 hr workshop/week, practical work, project work during workshops Assumed knowledge: UG Maths or Physics or Hydrology. Assessment: Assignments (50%) 2 hr exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit builds on knowledge gained in undergraduate science units to develop an understanding of how climate variability affects water resources. Particular focus will be on the effect of climate variability and drought and how this affects plant production and water storage. At the completion of this unit student would be able to: Quantify drought and understand the different dimensions of drought; understand how climate variability impacts plant production and what stages; understand the memory of drought and the impact on resilience; understand how climate change can impact climate variability in the future. Open source sofwater pakages such as R and SWAT will be used for most analysis.
AFNR5705 Australian Forest Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Andrew Merchant Session: Semester 2 Classes: 28.5 hrs lecture/tutorial, 30 hrs fieldwork Assessment: One 2hr exam (20%), two reports (2x25%), two oral presentations (2x10%) and one field report (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study is designed to enable students to participate in and improve the management of Australian forest ecosystems. Beginning with an introduction to the unique chemical, physical and ecological characteristics of Australian forests, this unit focuses on policy development and management prescriptions driven by fundamental processes of ecosystem function. Topics will encompass both tropical and temperate ecosystems with students given the opportunity to gain first hand observation of subtropical forest management practices by participating in a 4 day field exercise. At the end of this unit, students will be able to articulate strengths, weaknesses and improvements to the management of Australian forests for the purposes of production, conservation and climate change adaptation. Students will gain first-hand experience of land management practices as they pertain to Australian forest systems and communicate with industry and governmental groups.
Textbooks
Reading material will be drawn upon from current literature in the field
AFNR5801 Climate Change: Process, History, Issues

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Peter Franks (Coordinator), Dr Dan Penny, Dr Malcolm Possell Session: Semester 2 Classes: 18 hrs lecture/tutorial, 12 hrs practical/field classes, 9 hrs field trip preparation Assumed knowledge: A basic understanding of climate change processes and issues. Assessment: 2hr exam (40%), tutorials (20%), practical report from field exercise (manuscript format) (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit provides students with an overview of current debates and approaches to understanding and quantifying interactions between the biosphere, oceans and atmosphere, as used around the world, and the consequences of those interactions for climate. The unit considers climate change on a variety of timescales. This unit will include a weekend field trip to Snowy Mountains field sites managed by the University of Sydney where students will be introduced to cutting edge, ongoing climate change research.
Textbooks
A reading list will be provided consisting of selected book chapters, journal articles and other publications
GEOG5001 Geographic Information Science A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kevin Davies Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six lectures plus six workshops. Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Quiz and Assignments (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study gives an overview of basic spatial data models, and enables students to understand the use of data from a variety of sources within a geographical information system (GIS). The analysis of spatial data, and its manipulation to address questions appropriate to planning or locational applications, will be addressed, as will the development of thematic maps from diverse data layers.
GEOG5004 Environmental Mapping and Monitoring

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Eleanor Bruce Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2 hours of lectures and one three hour practical per week. Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Assignments (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
The unit introduces methods associated with acquiring data in the field and examines issues associated with application of spatial data to environmental monitoring, terrain mapping and geocomputing. Students will learn both theoretically and practically how environmental data is collected using different remote sensing techniques, (pre)processing methods of integrating data in a GIS environment and the role of spatial data in understanding landscape processes and quantifying environmental change.
GEOS5501 Human Rights and the Environment

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Josephine Gillespie Session: Semester 2a Classes: 4 hours of class contact per week Assessment: Essays, reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: This unit is delivered at the University of Sydney.
This Unit of Study addresses the connections between human rights and the environment. We examine an array of environmental and natural resource management challenges through a human rights lens. Students will develop the skills to describe, interpret and analyse the relationship between environmental issues and human rights norms. We study the complexity of the human rights / environmental nexus in both conservation and development contexts. Topics include conservation and protected areas, rivers and dams, mining, climate change and forests. Throughout the course we consider the value, and limitations, of a human rights based approach to environmental decision making.
ENVI5502 Environmental Research Project A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Supervised research Prerequisites: Distinction average or better in 24 credit points of Environmental Science/ Environmental Science and Law core units Prohibitions: ENVI5501 Assessment: Written report and continuous assessment (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Students taking ENVI5502 must take ENVI5503 and ENVI5504
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, ENVI5502, ENVI5503 and ENVI5504 consist of a research project as arranged between you (the student) and an appropriate supervisor. The project topic may contain a field or laboratory component, or may be entirely literature-based, but it must include an integrated analysis of an identified environmental problem. Potential topics range from ecotourism to pollution detection and monitoring, erosion to solar power, environmental law to conservation biology. The topic must be able to be completed within the timeframe of 32 weeks (two semesters) of investigation, including the literature survey, sample and data collection, analysis of data and results, and write up of the report. This unit is not conducted by way of a number of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead, the student will work on the project full-time (aside from other study commitments) in a continuous manner. This unit of study is only available to students in the Master programs who have completed 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better.
ENVI5503 Environmental Research Project B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Supervised research Prerequisites: Distinction average or better in 24cp of Environmental Science/ Environmental Science and Law core units Prohibitions: ENVI5501 Assessment: Written report and continuous assessment (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Students taking ENVI5503 must take ENVI5502 and ENVI5504
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, ENVI5502, ENVI5503 and ENVI5504 consist of a research project as arranged between you (the student) and an appropriate supervisor. The project topic may contain a field or laboratory component, or may be entirely literature-based, but it must include an integrated analysis of an identified environmental problem. Potential topics range from ecotourism to pollution detection and monitoring, erosion to solar power, environmental law to conservation biology. The topic must be able to be completed within the timeframe of 32 weeks (two semesters) of investigation, including the literature survey, sample and data collection, analysis of data and results, and write up of the report. This unit is not conducted by way of a number of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead, the student will work on the project full-time (aside from other study commitments) in a continuous manner. This unit of study is only available to students in the Master programs who have completed 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better.
ENVI5504 Environmental Research Project C

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Supervised research Prerequisites: Distinction average or better in 24cp of Environmental Science/ Environmental Science and Law core units Prohibitions: ENVI5501 Assessment: Written report and continuous assessment (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Students taking ENVI5504 must take ENVI5502 and ENVI5503
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, ENVI5502, ENVI5503 and ENVI5504 consist of a research project as arranged between you (the student) and an appropriate supervisor. The project topic may contain a field or laboratory component, or may be entirely literature-based, but it must include an integrated analysis of an identified environmental problem. Potential topics range from ecotourism to pollution detection and monitoring, erosion to solar power, environmental law to conservation biology. The topic must be able to be completed within the timeframe of 32 weeks (two semesters) of investigation, including the literature survey, sample and data collection, analysis of data and results, and write up of the report. This unit is not conducted by way of a number of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead, the student will work on the project full-time (aside from other study commitments) in a continuous manner. This unit of study is only available to students in the Master programs who have completed 24 credit points of study with a distinction average or better.
ENVI5705 Ecological Principles

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3-hour lecture per week. Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level Mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Case study, assignment, critical review, presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study introduces fundamental concepts of modern ecology for environmental scientists through a series of modules focussing on applied questions. Using case studies from Australia, students are exposed to the challenges of doing ecology and how cutting edge research is being applied to environmental management using evidence-based approaches. Meetings and discussions with people working in the field give students an insight into the ways that ecologists address ecological problems and how way they generate an understanding of natural systems. Students have the opportunity to consider different ways of doing science and ways of dealing with different kinds of data, including qualitative, quantitative, anecdotal and experimental approaches
ENVI5707 Energy - Sources, Uses and Alternatives

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Arne Geschke Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2-hour lecture and 1 hour seminar per week; field trips Assessment: Essay, comprehensive diary/notes from lectures, and presentation (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study addresses physical principles and environmental impacts of energy generation and use. Different energy carriers, global energy resources, the economics associated with energy conversion, the politics and culture surrounding energy conversion and use, and renewable energy technologies are discussed. A key focus of the unit is on building numeracy skills for performing useful calculations related to energy and greenhouse gas emissions. This unit of study includes several field trips to energy utilities and associated energy sites.
ENVI5708 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Feike Dijkstra (Coordinator); A/Prof. Thomas Bishop; Dr Floris van Ogtrop. Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x 2-hour lecture and 1x practical per week; 1x field trip (weekend) Assessment: Writing Assignment (35%), Prac Report (40%), Presentation and Peer Review (15%), Computer Lab (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the major physical and chemical processes that control the concentration and dispersion of chemical pollutants in natural and impacted environments. The course will demonstrate how to use contaminant data effectively and how to judge the quality of chemical data. This knowledge will be used to design and to assess environmental projects, and to judge the magnitude of impact by human activity on environments and the risk posed by contaminants to ecosystem functioning. The course aims to provide present and future managers employed in environmental professions with the skills to use data with confidence and to make management decisions knowing the risks inherent in variable data quality. A field trip will be undertaken early in the semester.
ENVI5801 Social Science of Environment

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Robert Fisher Session: Semester 1 Classes: One hour lecture and one hour seminar per week plus directed reading. Assessment: Essays and seminar participation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit provides both a conceptual and an empirical foundation for the analysis of relationships between society, the environment and natural resources. In our recent past the rapid rate of global environmental change has necessitated a breakdown of traditional disciplinary boundaries in research and social scientists are increasingly called upon to work alongside natural scientists in unraveling the complexities of the human-environmental nexus. Students will examine a number of environmental issues and consider a variety of social science academic perspectives about environmental management.
ENVI5809 Environmental Simulation Modelling

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tristan Salles Session: Semester 2a Classes: Six all day sessions Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level Mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Project plus report (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study introduces participants to the power of simulation modelling in understanding and predicting behaviour of natural systems. It covers fundamental concepts, logic, and techniques (including sensitivity analysis), and develops skills in application to environmental problems such as catchment management and population dynamics.
ENVI5903 Sustainable Development

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Jeff Neilson Session: Intensive July Classes: Two pre-departure lectures, 14-day field intensive. Assessment: Essay and presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Field experience Faculty: Science
Note: This unit of study involves additional costs.
This unit of study constitutes an international field-based experience held in Southeast Asia during the July semester break. It explores the contested notions of sustainable development and sustainability through exposure to real world development dilemmas in Southeast Asia. We explore fundamental issues such as urbanization, sustainable livelihood, resource scarcity and economic globalization. The unit of study involves lectures, in-situ readings and discussion groups, introduction to field methods, stakeholder meetings and experiential learning. Students interested in this unit should confirm their interest to the Unit Coordinators by the end of March of the year the field school will be held. There will be additional costs associated with this unit to cover food, accommodation, local transport and field assistance of about $1,200. Students will also be required to arrange their own international travel to the starting point (either Vientiane or Jakarta depending on the specific location of the course).
ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ross Coleman Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 3-hour lecture per week for 8 weeks. Assessment: Tutorials, oral presentations and written reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
No assessment of potential environmental impacts is possible without relevant information about the ecological consequences. This unit is for those without a quantitative ecology background, to explain the need to quantify and what are relevant measures. Describing and understanding uncertainty will be explained in the context of precautionary principles. Issues about measuring biodiversity and the spatial and temporal problems of ecological systems will be introduced. Field experience will also be available (up to two of six hour sessions) subject to weather, tides and available staffing; please note that these sessions are voluntary.
LAWS6044 Environmental Law and Policy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens, Dr Gerry Bates Session: Intensive August,Intensive March Classes: Group A (S1CIMR): Mar 15-18 (9-5) and Group B (S2CIAU): Aug 9-12 (9-5) Prohibitions: LAWS3430 or LAWS5130 Assumed knowledge: LAWS6252 or law degree from a common law jurisdiction Assessment: class presentation and 2000wd essay (25%) and 6000wd essay (75%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Note: Environmental Law students must complete LAWS6252 and this core unit prior to enrolling in other law elective units.
The aim of the unit is to introduce students to overarching themes in environmental law and policy as a foundation to their more detailed studies for the Environmental Law Program. This is an overview unit addressing a number of environmental issues at various levels of analysis; such as policy making, implementation of policy and dispute resolution. The concept of ecologically sustainable development and its implications for environmental law and policy is a continuing theme. The unit is designed to develop multi-dimensional thinking about environmental issues and the strategies needed to address them. The unit provides a broad background of the political and economic issues in so far as they are related to the legal issues involved.
LAWS6041 Environmental Litigation

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Justice Nicola Pain, Justice Rachel Pepper Session: Intensive October Classes: Oct 4-7 (9-5) Assessment: 4000wd paper on a practical task/topic (50%), 4000wd essay (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Note: This unit replaced LAWS6041 Environmental Dispute Resolution
This unit focuses on litigation as a tool for resolving environmental disputes. The unit examines different types of environmental litigation and issues that can arise in litigation processes. Candidates will develop an understanding of the characteristics of environmental litigation, the advantages and limitations of different types of proceedings, and the range of outcomes that are possible for environmental litigation. The topics include litigation strategies, procedure and evidence, defensive actions (ie SLAPP litigation), and the outcomes of litigation. Reference will be made to recent cases, such as in the field of climate change, to illustrate the topics.
LAWS6045 Environmental Planning Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Andrew Edgar Session: Intensive October Classes: Sep 11, 12 & 15, 16 (9-5) Prohibitions: : LAWS3430 or LAWS5130 Assessment: class participation (20%) and 7000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit examines the legal and institutional structures for land-use regulation and the resolution of land-use conflicts. The focus is on environmental planning, development control and environmental impact assessment. The unit will examine the design of environmental planning systems, the various types of development assessment systems, the opportunities for public involvement in decision-making processes, and the role of courts and tribunals in resolving land-use disputes.
LAWS6047 Law of the Sea

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Tim Stephens Session: Intensive October Classes: Oct 12, 13 & 18, 19 (9-5) Assessment: 5000wd essay (60%) and take-home exam (40%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
The oceans cover two-thirds of the world's surface, and are vital to international commerce, are a store of important living and non-living resources, and provide indispensable environmental services including stabilising the global climate system. This unit reviews the major areas of the law of the sea as it has developed over the centuries. The unit takes as its focus the 'constitution' of the oceans, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and also considers a range of other international conventions and agreements, and current state practice. Each of the major maritime zones is assessed, and there is also a detailed review of several sectoral issues, including the protection of the marine environment, fisheries, navigational rights and freedoms, and military uses of the oceans. Where appropriate, reference will be made throughout the unit to relevant Australian law and practice, and to other state practice in the Asia Pacific Region.
LAWS6055 Heritage Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr Jeff Smith Session: Intensive September Classes: Sep 2, 3 & 9, 10 (9-5) Assessment: essay proposal and class presentation (20%), 7000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit focuses on the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, including intangible heritage, underwater heritage, movable heritage and Australian Aboriginal heritage. International, national, state and local regimes for heritage conservation are examined and considered in the context of broader environmental decision making. An important theme of the unit is the relationship between human rights and heritage protection as an intrinsic part of the human rights framework. Through the use of case studies, the unit aims to bring together a range of interdisciplinary strands in archaeology, anthropology, cultural and natural history, art, architecture and urban planning, and to weave them into a framework for the legal protection of world, national, state and local heritage.
LAWS6061 International Environmental Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Intensive May Classes: Apr 28, 29 & May 1, 2 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%) and 8000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Note: Students seeking further study in international environmental law may undertake LAWS6922 Advanced International Environmental Law.
This unit aims to provide an introduction to the framework, concepts, sources and techniques of international environmental law, and to provide an overview of international law responses to current and emerging environmental challenges. The history and framework of international environmental law will be examined before exploring a range of topical international environmental law issues, including atmospheric protection and climate change, hazardous substances and wastes, biodiversity and GMOs, the protection of marine living resources, the protection of freshwater resources and issues concerning trade. The unit will also survey the influence of international environmental law on domestic environmental law through case studies. Overarching themes will include the interdependence of environmental issues, the effects of scientific uncertainty on international environmental regulation, implementation of international environmental obligations between states at difference levels of economic development and the need for effectiveness in implementation and enforcement.
LAWS6065 Pollution and Contaminated Land

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens, Dr Kate Owens Session: Intensive May Classes: May 6, 7 & 13, 14 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%) and 8000-9000wd assignment (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
The aim of this unit is to examine the policy and legislative approaches to pollution control and the wide range of management tools employed to prevent harm and promote ecologically sustainable development. The history and framework of international laws regulating pollution will be examined before exploring a range of topical international law issues in this area, including hazardous substances and wastes, e-waste and marine pollution. The unit will also survey the implementation of international law under domestic environmental law. The unit will then examine a range of regulatory measures for pollution control, waste management and contaminated land in Australia and particularly within New South Wales.
Textbooks
R Lyster, Z Lipman, N Franklin, G Wiffen, L Pearson, 'Environmental and Planning Law in NSW', 4th ed , forthcoming 2016
LAWS6141 Asia Pacific Environmental Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Saiful Karim, Dr Manuel Solis Session: Intensive October Classes: Oct 26-29 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%), 7000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
In this unit, the environmental law and policy of selected countries and regional organisations in the Asia Pacific will be studied against the background of relevant international environmental law and institutions. Unit topics will be divided into four sub-regions: Pacific Island Developing Countries; South East Asia Region (ASEAN and Mekong countries); North Asian Region (Japan, People's Republic of China); South Asian Region (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation [SAARC] Countries). In relation to each region, the implications of international and regional environmental law and institutions will be explored, followed by country specific case studies involving a range of issues such as biodiversity, access to modern energy services, natural resources and environmental planning; industrial pollution; environmental impact assessment; climate change; and protection of the marine and coastal environment. Case studies on regional environmental issues such as ASEAN Haze will also be included.
LAWS6163 Energy and Climate Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Intensive September Classes: Sep 1, 2 & 8, 9 (9-5) Prohibitions: LAWS6863 Assessment: class participation (20%) and 8000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit adopts an inter-disciplinary and integrative approach to understanding the dynamics of one of the most pressing global environmental concerns ecologically sustainable energy use. Working loosely within the framework of the Climate Change Convention, the unit relies on the perspectives of scientists, lawyers and economists to develop an integrated approach to sustainable energy use. The unit identifies current patterns of energy use in Australia and examines Australia's response to the Climate Change Convention. It also analyses the strengths and weaknesses of various political, legal and economic mechanisms for influencing the choice of energy use. The initiatives of the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments, as well as local councils, to promote sustainable energy use and to combat global warming are scrutinised.
LAWS6165 Biodiversity Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens Session: Intensive April Classes: Apr 5-8 (9-5) Assessment: class presentation and 2000wd essay (25%) and 6000wd (75%) Practical field work: If possible, an appropriate practical component (along field trip lines) will be added to give further insight. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Biological diversity is the variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. Aside from whatever intrinsic value it may possess, biodiversity is crucial to support human life and welfare. Australia is fortunate to have some of the world¿s most complex and unique biodiversity - unfortunately, also to have one of the highest rates of extinction and loss of biodiversity. Despite a sophisticated system of environmental governance and a relatively high degree of environmental awareness, biodiversity continues to decline rapidly in Australia. This unit will consider the international legal regime related to the protection of biodiversity; how international instruments are incorporated into (or otherwise affect) Australia¿s regime; and the operation of Australia¿s regime at both national and state levels (the latter, particularly in NSW) ¿ and will include consideration of various threats to biodiversity, different protection options (in situ and ex situ), and how biodiversity-related considerations affect and are affected by other Environmental Law fields.
LAWS6191 Water Law and Climate Change

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster Session: Intensive October Classes: Oct 20, 21 & 27, 28 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%) and 7000wd essay (80%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit of study situates the management of Australia's water resources within an International Law context including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, International Water Law principles and an internationally recognised human right to water. The unit examines the ecologically sustainable management of water resources in the context of climate change, with Australia being the driest inhabited continent. According to the Garnaut Climate Change Review, climate change could halve the productive capacity of the Murray Darling Basin, which produces one third of Australia's food supply, by 2050. In May 2012, the Murray Darling Basin Authority released the controversial Draft Basin Plan which proposes to allocate more water for the environment. At the same time, the Council of Australian Governments is pursuing a decade long process of water reform to establish a national water trading market by 2014. Consequently, the unit examines water resource management from the interdisciplinary perspectives of law, science and within the context of broader economic reform and the National Competition Policy framework. The corporatisation of water utilities and competition in the water service market is also discussed. Key legislation covered are the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and the Water Management Act 2000 (NSW).
LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Alexandra Fowler, Ms Mehzabin Farazi (except Group C) Session: Intensive April,Intensive August,Intensive March,Intensive September Classes: S1CIMR (Group A): Mar 6, 7 & 9, 10 (9-5); S1CIAP (Group B): Mar 24, 25 & Apr 7, 8 (9-5); S2CIAU (Group C): Jul 31-Aug 4 (9-5); S2CISE (Group D): Sep 1, 2 & 15, 16 (9-5) Prohibitions: LAWS6881 Assessment: in-class test (30%) and take-home exam (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Note: Students are recommended to enrol well in advance of classes in order to complete pre-class readings (normally available to enrolled students 3 weeks prior to the first class). Law graduates from a non-common law jurisdiction are also recommended to complete classes for this unit during the first week of their commencing semester.
This is a compulsory unit for all postgraduate students who do not hold a law degree or equivalent from a common law jurisdiction entering the: Master of Administrative Law and Policy; Master of Business Law; Master of Environmental Law; Master of Environmental Science and Law; Master of Global Law; Master of Health Law; Master of International Business and Law; Master of Labour Law and Relations; Master of Law and International Development as well as Graduate Diplomas offered in these programs. The unit has been designed to equip students with the necessary legal skills and legal knowledge to competently apply themselves in their chosen area of law. Instruction will cover the legislative process; the judiciary and specialist tribunals; precedent; court hierarchies; legal reasoning; constitutional law; administrative law; contracts; and torts. Some elements of the unit will be tailored in accordance with the requirements of the particular specialist programs.
LAWS6302 Human Rights and Environmental Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Em Prof Ben Boer Session: Intensive April Classes: Apr 6-9 (9-5) Assessment: 2500wd assignment (30%) and 7000wd essay (70%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
The unit aims to provide students with an overview of the recent development of links between environmental law and human rights at both international and national levels. It will initially introduce the principles of international environmental law, and the relationship between the environment and human rights, with both ecocentric and anthropocentric approaches to be canvassed. The right to development, and especially the linkage between poverty, development and the environment, will be explored. Individual topics will include the relationships between human rights and pollution, land degradation, climate change, water security, implications of international trade, Indigenous peoples, biodiversity, genetic resources and access to nature. The human rights dimensions of environmental, cultural and social impact assessments will also be included. The unit will conclude with a discussion of the issue of access to environmental justice as an aspect of human rights, and the institutions relevant to achieving environmental justice.
Textbooks
DK Anton and DL Shelton, Environmental Protection and Human Rights, Cambridge 2011
LAWS6314 Coastal and Marine Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens Session: Intensive August Classes: Aug 19, 20 & 26, 27 (9-5) Assessment: Presentation and 2000wd essay (25%) and 6000wd essay (75%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit examines legal and policy frameworks for the management of coastal and marine areas in Australia. Topics addressed include the characteristics of Australian coastal and marine environments, the constitutional framework for the management of offshore areas, the regulation of marine pollution, marine parks and reserves, fisheries management, the regulation of offshore oil and gas resource extraction, and the management of climate change impacts on coastal and marine areas.
Textbooks
Rachel Baird and Donald R Rothwell (eds), Australian Coastal and Marine Law (Federation Press, 2011)
LAWS6320 Climate Disaster Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Rosemary Lyster, Prof Michael Faure Session: Intensive July Classes: Jul 5-8 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (20%) and 8000wd essay (80%) Practical field work: Sydney Law School in Europe Campus: United Kingdom Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Pre-enrolment registration is required. For further information, please visit Sydney Law School website http://sydney.edu.au/law/
Recent extreme weather events and disasters around the world have resulted in loss of life, property, infrastructure and livelihoods and have severely disrupted the normal functioning of the societies which they have impacted. Worldwide insured losses alone from weather-related disasters have risen from US$5.1 billion per year between 1970-1989 to US$27 billion annually over the past two decades. International climate change negotiations have, over the past five years, delivered outcomes that are entirely inadequate to meet the goal set by the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change of keeping the rise in average global temperatures below 2 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures. This unit of study adopts a climate justice approach to assess the respective roles and responsibilities of government and insurers to avoid, prepare for, respond to, recover from, and compensate for, the risks of climate disasters. The questions of avoidance and recovery will rely heavily on traditional Environmental Law mechanisms such as environmental planning and assessment and pollution and waste regimes, as well as the protection of biodiversity. The unit will also assess the viability of tort law and strict liability regimes for hazardous activities to compensate those who are impacted by climate disasters. The strict liability regimes include: global oil pollution spills, hazardous chemicals, asbestos and nuclear disasters. The unit will be taught by an esteemed international team of climate lawyers and individuals with experience in the insurance industry.
The objectives of this unit of study are to: Understand the science presented in two recent scientific reports, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2012 Special Report Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX), published in 2012, and the Australian Climate Commission's (CCC) 2013 The Critical Decade: Extreme Weather, (Extreme Weather Report, Understand the foundations of climate justice in the context of climate disasters, Understand the relevance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the loss and damage mechanism, and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters, The role of governments in enacting climate disaster risk reduction laws including: The role of Environmental and Planning Assessment Law and Building Codes in attempting to prevent climate disasters, Pollution, waste and contamination laws in the post-disaster phases, Biodiversity Law that is expected to protect species from the impacts of climate change and disasters, as well as promote ecosystems as disaster prevention measures, Governance arrangements between levels of government during and post the disaster, Compensatory regimes including those provided by government and the private sector through ex-post disaster relief, insurance and the capital markets; and The strengths and weaknesses of tort and strict liability regimes for compensating the victims of disaster.
LAWS6331 International Wildlife Law

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens Session: Intensive May Classes: May 20, 21 & 27, 28 (9-5) Assessment: Presentation and 2000wd essay (25%) and 6000wd essay (75%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
The twentieth century saw rapid improvements in our understanding of wildlife conservation, management and protection; and of the ways in which international law can assist these. Nevertheless, there still are significant gaps in our understanding and we are still a long way from having effective international environmental law. This seminar unit will examine the nature of international law and the relationship between international law and national law generally; the history, sources and role of international environmental law and the relationship between international environmental law and national environmental law specifically; the past, present and future statuses of international wildlife and conservation laws; the origins and meanings (in different contexts and to different parties) of the terms 'conservation' and 'preservation'; significant global and regional international conventions in the wildlife context; the histories and futures of particular selected species; problems with the creation and enforcement of international wildlife and conservation laws; the incorporation of international wildlife law in Australian national law; and innovative ideas and programmes for improving the effectiveness of international laws relating to wildlife and conservation.
Textbooks
M Bowman, P Davies & C Redgwell, Lyster's International Wildlife Law (2010, 2nd ed.), Cambridge University Press
LAWS6342 Environmental Markets

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kate Owens Session: Intensive May Classes: May 19, 20 and 22, 23 (9-5) Assessment: class participation (10%) and 8000wd essay (90%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
Environmental degradation is often caused by various forms of market failure. At the same time, it is recognised that market-based instruments (MBIs) can function as legitimate and effective legal tools for environmental protection. MBIs are instruments or regulations that encourage behaviour through market signals, rather than through direct regulation alone, and are applied broadly at both the international and national level to improve environmental quality and resource conservation. Markets are not, however, a panacea for the environmental issues we face, and MBIs can undermine environmental objectives if those instruments are not well designed and implemented. This unit will study the role of markets and financial incentives in addressing environmental and natural resource issues, and analyse the conceptual foundation for their use. It will then survey a range of MBIs, including marketable permits, offset programs and load-based licensing, across a diverse range of environmental issue areas, including climate change, renewable energy, fisheries, water and biodiversity. The Unit will examine the key contributions MBIs can make to environmental regulation, as well as the relevant 'watchpoints' as these instruments develop in terms of environmental protection. Students will also examine how 'impact investors' are harnessing private capital in order to drive market-based solutions to environmental problems.
LAWS6354 Environ Planning and Impact Assessment Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof Ed Couzens, Assoc Prof Andrew Edgar Session: Intensive September Classes: Sep 15, 16 and 22, 23 (9-5) Prohibitions: LAWS6043, LAWS6045, LAWS3430, LAWS5130 Assumed knowledge: students who do not hold an undergraduate law degree must have completed LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit and LAWS6044 Environmental Law and Policy (MEL only) Assessment: class presentation and 1000wd essay (25%) and 6000wd essay (75%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit has three aims. The first is to provide a sound analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures and environmental planning laws in NSW and at the Commonwealth level. The second aim is to develop a critical understanding of EIA and environmental planning laws by examining their historical, ethical and political dimensions as well as relevant aspects of legal theory. The third and ultimate aim is to combine these doctrinal and theoretical forms of knowledge so we can suggest possible improvements to current laws and legal practices.
LAWS6936 Carbon Trading, Derivatives and Taxation

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof R Lyster (Coordinator), Ms Celeste Black, Assoc Prof Tim Stephens Session: Intensive May Assessment: take-home exam (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit of study is designed to appeal to students across a broad range of postgraduate programs and expands on existing offerings in the area of Climate Law. The unit will cover four discrete topics on each day of the four day intensive: International Climate Law (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Kyoto Protocol, post-2012 negotiations) and domestic Climate Law (measures effecting a price on carbon and other relevant environmental markets); understanding how to trade carbon and other certificates on a variety of environmental markets; understanding the relevant carbon and other derivative markets; and understanding the taxation implications of participating in carbon and other environmental markets. The unit assumes a basic knowledge of environmental law. The unit brings together experts within the Sydney Law School, including environmental and taxation lawyers, and experts in carbon trading and derivative markets in private practice.
LAWS6964 Global Energy and Resources Law

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Penny Crossley Session: Intensive May Classes: May 4, 5 & 11, 12 (9-5) Assessment: take-home exam (100%) or take-home exam (70%) and optional essay or problem question (30%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Law (Sydney Law School)
This unit provides a framework for understanding the role of law in: the discovery, financing, development and utilisation of energy and resources projects; energy trading on wholesale markets; mining and resources projects, including competition issues and access to essential infrastructure; addressing potential sources of conflict in the energy and resources sector including in dealing with international trade, native title and other indigenous issues, environmental and corporate social responsibility issues; and current national and international energy and resources controversies. Previous topics have included the role of renewable energy in energy security, challenges posed by energy and resources projects in Africa, conflict between Europe and Russia over gas supplies, energy storage, coal seam gas development, international maritime disputes in Asia over offshore oil and gas fields, corruption and transparency, and the Resource Curse in developing countries.
MARS5001 Coastal Processes and Systems

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Ana Vila-Concejo Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture, one 1 hour tutorial per week Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Assignment, presentation and quiz (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study explains the major coastal processes and systems of relevance to coastal zone management. These include beaches, barriers and dunes; estuaries and inlets; and coral reefs. The interactions between these processes and systems that are of most relevance to coastal management are highlighted, including coastal hazards such as beach erosion. Anthropogenic impacts are also analysed. This unit includes an introduction to numerical modeling of coastal processes and systems using state-of-the-art modeling tools. The unit is presented in lectures and field excursions, the latter enabling each system to be examined first hand.
MARS5006 Coral Reefs, Science and Management

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Maria Byrne Session: Semester 1 Classes: University base delivery: prefield trip tutorial (1-hour), twelve lectures (1-hour each). Field based delivery: two seminars (1-hour each), two tutorials - individual consultations to develop concepts in research (1-hour each), independent research and oral presentation. Assumed knowledge: This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics. Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Field experience Faculty: Science
This unit provides an in - depth overview of the key biological and non-biological processes that make up coral reef ecosystems. There is a focus on the biogeographic, oceanographic and physiological processes underlying the integrity of global tropical reef systems. The Great Barrier Reef is used as a case study to explore emerging concepts on the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes on the integrity of global coral reef ecosystems. Learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars and tutorials in the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is an independent research project conducted under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of one essay, essay topic presentation and a research project report and presentation. The curriculum in this unit is based on current research and course notes will be provided. This is a field intensive course held at One Tree Island Research Station. The course is ex-Gladstone Queensland and students are expected to make their own way there. The field component of the unit will be run over 4-6 days and there will be an additional course fee for transport, food and accommodation, expected to be $700.
MARS5007 Coral Reefs and Climate Change

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Jody Webster Session: Semester 1a Classes: University based delivery: Prefield trip tutorials and lectures. Field based delivery: Lectures, seminars and tutorials. Individual consultations to develop concepts in research, independent research and oral presentation. Assessment: Written assignments: essay and project report; oral presentations; seminar and lecture participation (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Science
This unit provides an in - depth understanding of the key geological, oceanographic, biological and economic factors effecting global climate change and coral reef response, with specific reference to the future and fate of the Great Barrier Reef. Predictions of worst and best case scenarios for the future of coral reef systems are discussed in the context of the latest science, and in light of how this science should underpin future management strategies and policy. On campus learning activities will include a series of background lectures and research seminars, and tutorials on the development of a major research project. A major aspect of this unit is the independent research project conducted in the field (Great Barrier Reef) under the supervision of the course instructors. The unit concludes with a series of oral presentations based on student research. Assessment tasks will consist of an essay, a research seminar, and a research project report and presentation. The field intensive component of the course is held at One Tree Island or Heron Island or Orpheus Island Research Stations and will run over 6-8 days and there will be an additional course fee for transport, food and accommodation, expected to be about $700 (ex. travel to and from Gladstone/Townsville).
PHYS5031 Ecological Econ and Sustainable Analysis

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Arunima Malik Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1.5-hour lecture interspersed with hands-on exercises per week, and 1 hour seminar per week. Assessment: Essay, presentation and comprehensive diary/notes from lectures (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit of study introduces contemporary topics from Ecological Economics and Sutainability Analysis, such as metrics for measuring sustainability; planetary boundaries and other natural limits; comparisons between ecological and environmental economics; valuing the environment; intergenerational discounting; global enquality with a focus on the climate change debate; and links between theories of well-being, human behaviour, consumerism and environmental impact. This unit includes guest lecturers from industry and research and an excursion. Each lecture includes hands-on exercises for practical skill-building. The unit sets the scene for the more detailed and specific units PHYS5032, PHYS5033, and PHYS5034.
PHYS5034 Life Cycle Analysis

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Arunima Malik Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2.5-hour lecture interspersed with hands-on exercises per week Assessment: Essay, presentation and comprehensive diary/notes from lectures (100%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Minimum class size of 5 students.
This unit of study covers philosophy, techniques, applications and standards of Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). It introduces methods from engineering (Process Analysis) and economics (Input-Output Analysis), and discusses current popular LCA tools. The unit places imporance on practical relevance by including real-world cases studies and business applications as well as global standards such as the GHG Protocol for accounting for scopes -1, -2 and -3 emissions and ISO standards. The unit of study will culminate with practical exercises using current software tools to provide students with hands-on experience of preparing a comprehensive Life-Cycle Assessment of an application of their choice. Students will also benefit from also enrolling in PHYS5033 for a sound understanding of input-output analysis as the basis of hybrid LCA methods.
RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof D Dragovich Session: Semester 1 Classes: Six 4-hour lectures and one 4-hour laboratory class per semester Assessment: One research proposal, One literature review and one oral presentation (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
This unit will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize and draw conclusions from their coursework experience and learning, and to enable them to revise and/or develop the necessary skills for engaging with environmental research as part of their intellectual and/or professional growth. The unit focuses on skills in cross-disciplinary problem identification and the use of integrated analysis to address environmental challenges. Other skills include critical reading and critical writing, undertaking a literature review, understanding how research is conducted and published, library search techniques, use of referencing systems like EndNote, and matters relating to intellectual property and authorship.
RSEC5432 Environmental Economics

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Tihomir Ancev Session: Semester 2 Classes: 2x1-hr lectures/week commencing week 1, 1x1-hr tutorial/week commencing week 2 Assessment: Report and presentation from the practical experience in environmental economics (20%), one (1 hr.) mid-term exam (30%), and two hour (2 hr.) final exam (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Agriculture and Environment
The unit provides theoretical and empirical background necessary for a resource economist to be able to successfully function when faced with various environmental problems. The unit investigates economic aspects of a range of environmental issues. The studied concepts are exemplified with environmental problems related to agriculture (soil salinity, algal blooms, overgrazing etc.) as well as with environmental problems typical to Australia. The guiding economic themes are: competing uses of the environment / externalities, market failure, the importance of property rights, optimal allocation of pollution abatement, and the processes for making choices relating to non-market goods. Some social issues with environmental impacts are studied through exploration of the problems of population size and distribution, economic growth, and environmental regulation.
Textbooks
Perman, R., Y. Ma, J. McGilvray and M. Common. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Pearson, 3rd Ed. 2003
WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kellie Leigh, A/Prof David Phalen Session: Intensive July Classes: Intensively taught unit, the remainder of the unit will involve personal study and project activity. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates (http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/wildlife_masters/program/index.shtml) Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Science
This unit of study provides an introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, an overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. Emphasis is placed on providing students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health and management, and on developing expertise in recognising and solving a broad range of problems in field populations. The unit integrates lectures, practical work and supervised study, and offers students the opportunity to work through real-world wildlife conservation problems relevant to their individual backgrounds.
WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof David Phalen Session: Intensive September Classes: Intensively taught unit. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. (http://sydney.edu.au/vetscience/wildlife_masters/program/index.shtml) Assessment: There are two assessments. Assessment 1 is a journal that is kept during the week (20%). Assessment 2 is a report on the current status of one animal or group of animals in the Gardens (80%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Block mode Faculty: Science
This unit of study provides a first-hand introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, a practical overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using sampling and diagnostic methods on a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. The unit follows on from WILD5001 and provides practical experience via a seven day field trip, 5 days at Mt. Annan Botanical Gardens and two days "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW. Students stay overnight at both locations. Survey methods for frogs, reptiles, birds, small mammals, bats and macropods are introduced and all students participate in these activities. There are multiple opportunities to work with the staff at the Gardens and to see how a natural reserve serves to preserve biodiversity in the face of surrounding urbanization.