Unit of Study ENVR3009 Biogeochemistry (2023)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

CHEM1001 - Chemistry AND CHEM2001 - Environmental Chemistry

Enrolment information

Students require a sound knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, and the physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the distribution of chemical elements in the environment, including the interactions of water, sediments, and the atmosphere. There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for ALL students (Online and On-campus) that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.

Unit description

Develops an advanced understanding of biogeochemical processes that operate in a diverse range of ecosystems. The unit provides skills in planning and conducting environmental sampling and monitoring programs for monitoring and evaluating ecosystem processes. Instrument and sample collection techniques, that are part of environmental sampling and monitoring programs, will be used to generate data that will be synthesised into technical reports.

Unit content

Module 1 – Global and Marine Carbon Cycle

Module 2 – Global and Marine Nitrogen Cycle

Module 3 – Terrestrial Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles

Module 4 – Marine and Terrestrial Phosphorus Cycle

Module 5 – Marine and Terrestrial Iron and Sulphur Cycles

Module 6 – Tools and Techniques for Biogeochemists

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term3	Term3
Online	Term3	N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe the complex physical, geological, chemical and biological processes (biogeochemistry) in different ecosystems

demonstrate advanced skills related to the collection and storage of sediment, water, and biological samples

synthesise complex data sets to produce technical reports for a scientific audience.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Residential 2 days (Once)

Assessment
Quiz	10%
Project report	60%
Quiz	30%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Residential 2 days (Once)

Assessment
Quiz	10%
Project report	60%
Quiz	30%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Reading materials and additional resources will be provided via Blackboard.
Students will require suitable clothing for the fieldwork component of the residential, including sturdy shoes. Students may be in the sun, may get wet, and may be required to wade into shallow water and/or mud.

Students will require fully enclosed shoes and a laboratory coat for laboratory sessions.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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