Research plays an important role in everyone's life. In environment and sustainability fields, research allows identification of the sensitivity in human and natural systems to disturbances, responses to processes that threaten biodiversity and human well-being, and development of management strategies aimed at protecting and restoring ecosystems. Achieving these research outcomes relies upon establishing testable research questions, applying appropriate data collection and analysis methods, critically assessing results, and effectively communicating the observations.
ENVS1003 uses a problem-focussed approach to introduce fundamental research concepts. You can expect to develop skills in ecological measurement and sampling as well as in designing and conducting research projects. You will also develop analytical skills, including data exploration, as well as effective communication and analysis techniques common to all sciences. The course promotes learning through a combination of lectures as well as field- and computer-based practical exercises. During field-based exercises you will gain first-hand experience in collecting ecological data. We also place great importance upon understanding the role of equity, integrity and ethics plays in professional practice and how these principles intersect with research.
Honours Pathway Option
Subject to the approval of the course convenor, Honours Pathway students will be required to demonstrate greater depth in the philosophy and practice of measurement and analysis in the environmental and/or social sciences. This understanding will be facilitated in a small research project conducted under direct supervision of the convenor. Honours Pathway students can expect to attend one additional one-hour tutorial session each fortnight, and submit a written report or oral presentation focusing on comparative field-based techniques (10% of overall assessment).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- understand and interpret quantitative research results reported within scientific literature
- understand the principles of sampling techniques in the environmental and social sciences
- demonstrate conceptual understanding of inferential statistics and hypothesis testing
- explore and summarise data to identify effects and trends
- demonstrate understanding of experimental and research design
- demonstrate a capacity to communicate research results effectively to the scientific and non-technical audiences
Other Information
Please note: Due to practical constraints associated with field-based teaching activities delivered in the weekly practicals, enrolments in this course are capped at 250.
If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one online via the following form.
Indicative Assessment
- three online quizzes reflecting lecture content, recommended reading, and analysis of shared class data. (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research-focussed introduction to study of aspect-related vegetation classification in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. (15) [LO 2,5,6]
- Oral research critique (10) [LO 1,2,5,6]
- Experiment proposal (15) [LO 1,2,5,6]
- Research article focussing on aspect-related classification of vegetation in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- an end of semester exam. (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 1 hour lectures, 1 x 3 hour practical per week and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week commencing week 2.
- Approximately 59 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not required.
Areas of Interest
- Forestry
- Geography
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Resource Management and Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Population Studies
- Science Communication
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3774 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |