This is a shell course that allows the delivery of developing environment, society and sustainability curriculum content to groups of students over intensive or semester long formats. An academic lead of each developing curriculum content (topic) develops teaching content, assessment and management. Each topic varies, reflecting the interests, authority and expertise of those teaching the course. The mode of delivery and location of this courses varies. Some topics are taught intensively, others are taught seminar-long. The content will provide students with study opportunities not covered in other courses taught in the Fenner School of Environment & Society or elsewhere in the University. Depending on the topic, students may be required to take part in lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, discussion groups, field trips and other activities. Assessment and work integrated learning opportunities will differ between each offering.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Pursue a sustained, guided critical investigation and evaluation of a topic relevant to the environment, society and/or sustainability.
   
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodology and/or evidence, analyse data using appropriate methods and tools, and draw appropriate evidence-based conclusions.
   
3. Critically evaluate their own work and results as well as published research. 
   
4. Communicate research concepts and results effectively in appropriate formats.

Research-Led Teaching

The entire course is devoted to teaching and learning research skills and conducting original research for potential publication. Students will learn core knowledge about conducting research and will implement that.

Field Trips

This course is structured around field trips around the Canberra region, focusing on landscapes and soils. There are no additional fees associated with these field activities.

Students should remind themselves of the general health and safety aspect of field work via the CoS Field Trip page

Additional Course Costs

N/a

Examination Material or equipment

to be advised via wattle

Required Resources

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Students need to provide sturdy shoes, rain pants and jacket, hat.
• The School will provide High visibility vests.

Recommended Resources

A series of resources will be available on the course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments

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.

Other Information

Enrolment in this course is via expression of interest form accessible at https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/requesting-permission-enrol

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This is a shell course that allows the delivery of developing environment, society and sustainability curriculum content to groups of students over intensive or semester long formats. An academic lead of each developing curriculum content (topic) develops teaching content, assessment and management. Each topic varies, reflecting the interests, authority and expertise of those teaching the course. The mode of delivery and location of this courses varies. Some topics are taught intensively, others are taught seminar-long. The content will provide students with study opportunities not covered in other courses taught in the Fenner School of Environment & Society or elsewhere in the University. Depending on the topic, students may be required to take part in lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, discussion groups, field trips and other activities. Assessment and work integrated learning opportunities will differ between each offering. This Course <CLASS Number: #7828> relates to "Soils in Practice"See WATTLE page for specific details relating to "Soils in Practice" - class #7828
2	Wks 1-2 Soil formation, classification, mapping tools	Assessment 1;
3	Wks 3-4 Soil physics, soil chemistry	Assessment 1;
4	Wks 5-6 Soil biology and carbon processes	Assessment 1;
5	Wks 7-8 Soil practice applied to landscape conservation	Assessment 1,2;
6	Wks 9-10 Soil practice applied to sustainable agriculture	Assessment 1, 2;
7	Wk 11 Soil practice applied to urban processes
8	Wk 12 Geomorphology	Assessment 3;
9	Wk 14	Assessment 4;

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Competency quizes	30 %	1,3,5
Industry Practice snapshots	15 %	2,3,4,5
Examination	25 %	2,3,4,5
Research Project	30 %	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

To be discussed and confirmed with the supervisor. There is no assessable participation requirement of this course. However, students are strongly encouraged to attend regular meetings with their supervisor.

Examination(s)

Final exam in week 12 teaching time allocation.

Assessment Task 1

Competency quizes

Students must complete the wattle-based quizzes available at the weeks 1 - 6. Quiz content will be based on content delivered in lectures and experienced in workshops/field. Quiz questions in the form of multiple choice, short answer, word match, aim to test competency of concepts and experiences delivered during the week. It is anticipated/expected that students will use this progressive assessment to follow and map their learning journey

Assessment Task 2

Industry Practice snapshots

In a small group, <5, research a given topic and present in an informal but informative style to class. Five issues over the duration of the course will be listed. These issues will be relevant to themes being taught, but students are expected to research in order to provide deeper knowledge and summarise for peers.

Assessment Task 3

Examination

The final examination looks for students to demonstrate a higher level of understanding of the interconnectivity of soil sciences

Assessment Task 4

Research Project

Research project written in the form of a research paper or consulting report

Word Limit: 2500 words

Release: Students can begin working on their research project from day one of teaching

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 Director (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 a supervisor. Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via the course Wattle site.

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

In exceptional circumstances the Convenor will allow an assignment to be resubmitted, but this must be negotiated with the Supervisor before being progressed to the Convenor for endorsement.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students