Outline

Overview

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 considers 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 (particularly in NSW) - and consideration of various threats to biodiversity, different protection options, and how biodiversity-related considerations affect and are affected by other Environmental Law fields. National heritage is one of nine matters of national environmental significance protected under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. This unit covers conservation of natural and cultural heritage, including intangible, underwater, movable and Australian Aboriginal heritage. International, national, state and local regimes for heritage conservation are examined and considered in the context of broader biodiversity-related environmental decision making. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS6055
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ed Couzens, ed.couzens@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 4 September 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Task (0%) Response to a short question regarding approaches to research	0%	Week 01 Due date: 25 Aug 2026 at 23:59	500-750 word written task	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Class Presentation (10%) Present on a prepared topic in a mock conference environment	10%	Week 02 Due date: 04 Sep 2026 at 09:00 Closing date: 04 Sep 2026	5 minute presentation (plus preparation)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Short-release 1,500 word Short Essay (15%) 1,500 word short essay on same topic as presentation	15%	Week 04 Due date: 14 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Sep 2026	1,500 words / 7 days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Alternative Outline for Capstone Essay (0%) Outline for those requiring prior approval for their capstone essay topic	0%	Week 04 Due date: 14 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Sep 2026	Completed form	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	6,000 word Essay (75%) 6,000-word essay	75%	Week 10 Due date: 26 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 Nov 2026	6,000 words / 7 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Alternative Capstone Essay (85%) Optional 7,000-word capstone essay for LLM students	0%	Week 11 Due date: 02 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Nov 2026	7,000 words / 8 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task (0%)
This unit includes an Early Feedback Task that is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content. The Early Feedback Task in this unit is a response to a short question regarding approaches to research. The aim of this submission will be to ascertain individual students’ approaches to research and referencing. The task will be available on Canvas from Tuesday 18 August 2026 at or before 11:59PM to Tuesday 25 August 2026 at 11:59PM (Sydney, Australia time). It will be tailored to reflect key concepts from the first day of classes. Students will be provided with feedback shortly after completion of the task.

Class Presentation (10%) On the final day of the unit (Friday 4 September 2026), a workshop/exercise will be run on a particular issue, with a presentation topic unique to each student.  This workshop/exercise will take the form of a mock conference event on a particular environmental problem.  Instructions will be provided on or before Wednesday 26 August 2026 (Sydney, Australia time). 

In the mock conference, students will present for approximately 5 minutes on a prepared topic.  For the purposes of the workshop/exercise, students may also be assigned a role as a member of a small “team”. It is expected that students will be sufficiently prepared to participate actively in the workshop/exercise and will so participate.

Short-release 1,500-word short essay (15%): Following the workshop/exercise on the final day of classes students are required to submit for assessment on Monday 14 September 2026 by 11:59PM (Sydney, Australia time) a written 1,500-word essay on the same topic as their presentation. Presentation/essay topics will be unique to each student and will be allocated individually, with instructions, on or before 26 August 2026 (Sydney, Australia time). Further instructions will be provided on or before 7 September 2026 (Sydney, Australia time).

6,000-word Essay (75%): Choose 1 of the topics provided which will be released on Canvas on or before Wednesday 26 August 2026 (Sydney, Australia time) and advise the unit coordinator by email of your chosen topic by 11:59PM on Friday 4 September 2026 (Sydney, Australia time).  The due date for the submission of the essay is Monday 26 October 2026 at 11:59PM.

Alternative 7,000-word Capstone Essay (85%): LLM students completing the penultimate or final units of their degrees and who require a Capstone essay as a degree requirement must notify the unit coordinator before Friday 4 September 2026; and must provide an Outline by 11:59PM on Monday 14 September 2026 (Sydney, Australia time) in the form provided by the coordinator on application. The Capstone essay may not be completed without approval from the unit coordinator. The due date for the Alternative Capstone Essay is Monday 2 November 2026 at 11:59PM (Sydney, Australia time). The essay topic must be relevant to the material covered in the unit; should build on work already completed in the degree; may not recycle work already submitted for assessment in the degree, except and only with specific permission and appropriate referencing.

The capstone essay (85%) replaces the 6,000-word essay (75%) and the other assessment tasks are adjusted as follows: short essay word count is reduced to 1,000 words and weighted 10% and the presentation is weighted 5%. 

Alternative Outline for Capstone (0%): Students who wish to apply for permission to undertake the Capstone essay rather than the 6,000-word research essay must submit the completed form, obtained on application, to the convenor seeking approval for their topic by Monday 14 September 2026 at 11:59PM (Sydney, Australia time).

Word limit penalty: Any portion of an assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit by 250 words in the 1,500 word essay and by 500 words in the 6,000 word essay will not be marked. The total word count for essays and other written assessments will exclude bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citations; and any cover page; and will include body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes.

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.  

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study. As the EFT is an early diagnostic tool, this task is not included in the final grade for the unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1.1 Approaching research at postgraduate level. 1.2 Classic texts in the literature relating to biodiversity.	Seminar (4.33 hr)
	2.1 The complexity of biodiversity. 2.2. International law relating to biodiversity.	Seminar (4.33 hr)
	3.1 The incorporation of international biodiversity-related law into Australia. 3.2. Case law in Australia; and Federal and State environmental law in Australia.	Seminar (4.34 hr)
Week 02	4.1 Valuing biodiversity and finding innovative ways to protect it. 4.2 Migratory species and other issues. 4.3 Conservation support mechanisms. 4.4 The protection of biodiversity in New South Wales.	Seminar (4.33 hr)
	5.1 Biodiversity and environmental impact assessment; success stories, failures, lessons learned and not learned. 5.2 Heritage protection in international law. 5.3 Heritage protection in Australia. 5.4 Heritage protection in New South Wales.	Seminar (4.33 hr)
	6.1 Workshop/exercise on biodiversity and heritage. Completion of student feedback survey for this unit of study.	Seminar (4.34 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to Reading Guide in Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Critically evaluate the value of biological diversity (biodiversity), the value of heritage, and the relationship between the two.
LO2. Critically analyse specific biodiversity- and heritage-related problems in global and Australian contexts, and assess the effectiveness of various legal, regulatory and policy responses to those problems.
LO3. Analyse the international legal frameworks governing or influencing the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage.
LO4. Identify and describe to a high level how international biodiversity and heritage obligations and influences are incorporated into Australian law, with particular reference to Commonwealth- and New South Wales-related legal instruments for the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage.
LO5. Critically reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ and other First Peoples’ experiences, perspectives and knowledges in relation to the management and protection of biodiversity and heritage, their continuing relationships with Country, and the legal and environmental effects of colonisation.
LO6. Critically apply relevant legal research methodologies to the examination of biodiversity and heritage law issues in Australia and globally to synthesise sound legal arguments and communicate these to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minimal changes made to the core content.

Additional information

Resources - Sydney Law Students

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS6165: Biodiversity Law and Heritage Law

Intensive August - September, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links