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.
ENVS6103 uses a PPDAC (Problem, Plan, Data, Analysis, Conclusion) cycle to introduce fundamental research concepts. You can expect to develop skills in ecological measurement and sampling, and designing and conducting research projects. You will also develop analytical skills, including data exploration and effective communication and analysis techniques common to all sciences. The course promotes learning through a combination of lectures, and field-/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.
Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates, but are expected to attend an additional graduate tutorial. Weighting and tasks within the graduate assessment schedule also differs substantively from those within the undergraduate schedule.
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 primary and interactive effects and trends in experimental data
- Demonstrate a high-level understanding of the design and implementation of experiments and research projects
- 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. Please contact the school if you are unable to enrol.
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
- Two online quizzes reflecting lecture content, recommended reading, and analysis of shared class data. (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Research introduction focussed on study of aspect-related and impact of fire on vegetation classification in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. (15) [LO 2,5,6]
- Research methods and results focussed on study of aspect-related and impact of fire on vegetation classification in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Major research article focussed on study of aspect-related and impact of fire on vegetation classification in Black Mountain Nature Reserve. (45) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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 sel directed 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.
Assumed Knowledge
No specific knowledge required.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3576 | 22 Feb 2021 | 01 Mar 2021 | 31 Mar 2021 | 28 May 2021 | In Person | View |