The design of infrastructure systems can have significant positive and negative environmental impacts. Across its construction, operation and retirement, contemporary infrastructure must be designed to consider the environment, not just on a local scale but nationally and internationally. This course will consider the impacts of design decisions on large- and small-scale infrastructure across all stages of the life-cycle. Infrastructure design to support significant transitions such as zero-carbon, -emissions, and -waste will be explored along with design can build resilience to external shocks for infrastructure. Case studies across key sectors including energy, waste, transport and buildings in urban and rural settings will be used to investigate the application of design principles and the impacts of decisions. Various design approaches will be introduced to explore the role of design and decision-making to ensure positive environmental impacts from infrastructure systems. These include sustainable infrastructure design, green building design, cradle-to-cradle design, bio-mimicry, regenerative design, and design with country. This course will provide an important focus on indigenous perspectives and contributions to this field of study. Students will be able to draw on course materials that provide diverse gender, cultural, and geographical perspectives on these topics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and critique a range of sustainable design approaches suitable for infrastructure design
2. Describe and critique current and proposed engineering transitions
3. Select and apply design approaches to develop sustainable infrastructure
4. Design and evaluate infrastructure for its environmental impact
5. Reflect on the impact of design decisions on the sustainability of infrastructure across the life-cycle

Research-Led Teaching

Guest lectures will be included during the semester. Successful completion of the course will require an independent research project in an approved area of the student's choosing.

Field Trips

The class may take field trips, based on class consultation.

Required Resources

Outline Programs and Courses and Wattle Page. A reading list will be provided with flexibility for individual choice.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Sustainable Infrastructure Design	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
2	Sustainable Design Approaches for Infrastructure Design	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
3	Engineering Transitions for Sustainable Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
4	Designing for Resilience in Infrastructure Systems	Reading, Class Participation, Research Workshop
5	Non-Western Perspectives on Sustainable Infrastructure Design	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
6	Environmental Impact Evaluation in Infrastructure Design	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
7	Designing Sustainable Energy Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
8	Designing Sustainable Waste Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
9	Designing Sustainable Mobility Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
10	Designing Sustainable Building Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Research Workshop
11	Evaluation and Critique of Sustainable Infrastructure Design – Social Infrastructure	Reading, Class Participation, Essay
12	Future Directions in Sustainable Infrastructure Design	Research Project Presentation and Submission

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Weekly Reading and Essay	40 %	1,2,3,4,5
Class Participation	30 %	1,2,3,4,5
Research Project	30 %	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences (in writing) may result in incomplete or failing evaluations. Assignments are due on the specified due date. Late submissions may result in a grade reduction. 

Examination(s)

No in-class exams are anticipated.

Assessment Task 1

Weekly Reading and Essay

Weekly assignments will consist of readings and short written assignments. These assignments will help students develop their understanding of the course material, practice design communication, test ideas, and prepare skills for the term project.

Assessment Task 2

Class Participation

Class participation will be assessed based on attendance, active participation in class discussions, and engagement with classmates.

Assessment Task 3

Research Project

A semester-long project will involve students applying the sustainable design approaches learned in the course to a real-world infrastructure design project. Students will be required to select a project and evaluate it for its environmental impact, apply sustainable design approaches to the project, and reflect on the impact of design decisions on the sustainability of the infrastructure across the life-cycle. This thinking can be applied to either an existing or historical infrastructure work, or students may propose something new. Students may work individually or in small teams.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Written feedback will be provided one to two weeks after essay submissions. Direct feedback will be given during student workshops and in class discussions.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not required.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students