This unit introduces students to the foundational concepts of environmental science through the applied context of real-world environmental challenges. Students will experience field-based learning and explore case studies as they engage with challenges at various scales, from global issues through to local impacts. Understanding of the often complex nature of environmental challenges, as well as the diverse approaches regarding utilisation of the natural environment, will be built through an emphasis on systems thinking. This unit addresses various Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLO) for environment and sustainability endorsed by the Australian Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (ACEDD).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Develop a broad and coherent knowledge of environments at various scales, interdependencies between human societies and environments, and sustainability (ACEDD TLO 1.1);
2. Describe disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to identifying and conceptualising environmental and sustainability challenges (ACEDD TLO 2.1);
3. Understand diverse approaches to environment and sustainability including their own and others' values, knowledge, ethical positions and interests (ACEDD TLO 2.3);
4. Address research questions by identifying, synthesising and applying appropriate scientific knowledge and evidence from diverse sources (ACEDD TLO 3.1); and
5. Demonstrate communication skills through working both independently and collaboratively (ACEDD TLO 3.4).

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Skills development

In this course you will engage with some of the globe's most immediate challenges. You will learn the scientific basis of those global issues and develop an understanding of how to start to formulate solutions.

This is a 'real-world' unit, so you will be challenged from the outset to think about the complex nature of problems. You will develop the skills and learn the approaches to engage with these problems and start to disentangle that complexity.

This unit is the ideal for people going on to work in environmental consulting, education, land and water policy and management and ecological or conservation research. But it is also of direct relevance to anyone who lives in modern society.

After a brief introduction to how we engage with complex problems, we will move into a set of 'modules' which are challenge focussed. Throughout the unit tutorials will be used to provide you with general skills which apply across all modules. 

In each module you will interact with staff who are subject-matter experts in these particular areas. 

Module 1: Climate and weather
Module 2: Urbanisation
Module 3: Land use change
Module 4: Extreme events

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.