6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Prerequisites
One of ATS2774, EAE2322, ESC2122 or by permission of the unit coordinator.
Permission by the unit coordinator is required for students in S6002 who are undertaking the Environmental Security (Science) specialisation.
Prohibitions
ATS3788, ESC3788
Synopsis
Soils are critical for food and water security, effective nutrient cycling for terrestrial ecosystems and sustaining human life. Sustainable land management of the soil resource is one of the important contemporary challenges facing society and identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This unit will engage students in the sustainable management of soil resources which are critical for agricultural production, support terrestrial ecosystems and provide a range of ecosystem services. Students will be presented with a number of soil and land management issues, and explore alternative land uses and sustainable land management techniques.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Exhibit a high level of skill in field description, identification and analysis of soils and regolith.
- Assess the current explanations for landscape management problems through critical evaluation of the literature and field and laboratory data.
- Discuss the processes that lead to soil and regolith formation.
- Discuss the key threats to the soil resource and identify management and remediation strategies.
- Describe soil and land management issues in the context of both longer-term environmental change and current environmental change.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours): 40% (Hurdle)
In-semester continuous assessment: 60%
Passing the final exam with a grade of greater than or equal to 50% is a hurdle requirement for this unit. Failing the final exam will result in the student attaining a final grade of 48% or their actual grade if that is lower.
Workload requirements
- The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (approx. 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor directed, peer directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.
- One 2-day field trip on a weekend during semester
See also Unit timetable information