RESP5001: Semester 1, 2021

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Units RESP5001 Semester 1 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

RESP5001: Integrated Environmental Practice

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

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.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	RESP5001
Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Maria Seton, maria.seton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Maria Seton, maria.seton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bill Pritchard, bill.pritchard@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Research/project proposal Proposal	20%	Week 04	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral presentation and executive summary Oral presentation and written task	20%	Week 06	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Literature review Literature review	60%	Week 09	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Research/project proposal (Assignment 1) – A 1000 word project proposal is worth 20% of marks for the unit. The proposal will involve designing an evidence-based investigation in response to a hypothetical request to advise on a suitable methodology for assessing human-health impacts from smoke pollution in Sydney during summer 2019-2020.
Oral presentation with written Executive Summary (Assignment 2) – A Powerpoint presentation and 500-word Executive Summary of a proposal advising on possible new uses/activities/structures, or changes/additions to existing uses and management approaches, for the purpose of providing additional benefits to the increasing numbers of visitors attracted to Victoria Park. This assignment is worth 20% of marks for the unit.
Literature review of research question (Assignment 3) – A 2000 word report will present a critical review of the literature on a research question devised by you

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Unit introduction and introduction to research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Unit introduction and introduction to research	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Making sense of data and data presentation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Making sense of data and data presentation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Creating data about humans and their environment and publication referencing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Creating data about humans and their environment and publication referencing	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Innovation in methods and reviewing literature	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Innovation in methods and reviewing literature	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Hypothetical Victoria Park consultancy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Hypothetical Victoria Park consultancy	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Presentations of hypothetical Victoria Park consultancy	Presentation (4 hr)
Week 07	Ethics and the future of environmental research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Ethics and the future of environmental research	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	Environmental management case study	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Environmental management case study	Practical (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This course will run as a series of lectures and practicals/seminars. All lectures will be pre-recorded. The practical/seminars will be either face-to-face or zoom, depending on your enrolment option. Please ensure you read the weekly requirements on Canvas.

Due to the uncertainty caused by the current pandemic, we encourage students to regularly check their emails and annoucements on Canvas regarding any chances to the week-to-week program.

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.

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. gain an understanding of the nature of environmental research in academic and employment situations
LO2. identify and address a specific research/project question/s within environmental science
LO3. develop the necessary skills to undertake an environmental research project
LO4. critically evaluate existing knowledge in an environmental research/project area
LO5. collect, analyse, evaluate and integrate information relevant to a nominated research/project proposal
LO6. develop oral and written communication skills
LO7. present well-written reports on environmental research/project issues.

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.

The course has a new teaching team and a slightly revamped structure.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

COVID-19

The University is following advice from the government and related public health authorities. For the latest information, see https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/coronavirus-infection-university-of-sydney-advice.html

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

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

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