Unit of Study ENVR3009 Biogeochemistry (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Pre-requisites

CHEM2001 - Environmental Chemistry

Enrolment information

This unit requires ALL students to attend an on-campus 1 day residential at the Lismore campus.

Unit description

Develops an advanced understanding of biogeochemical processes that operate in a diverse range of ecosystems. The unit provides skills in planning and conducting environmental sampling and monitoring programs for monitoring and evaluating ecosystem processes. Instrument and sample collection techniques, that are part of environmental sampling and monitoring programs, will be used to generate data that will be synthesised into technical reports.

Unit content

Module 1: The Carbon Cycle

Module 2: The Nitrogen Cycle

Module 3: The Phosphorus Cycle

Module 4: The Iron and Sulfur Cycles

Module 5: Microbes and biogeochemical cycling

Module 6: Biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene.

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term3	Term3
Online	Term3	N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe the complex physical, geological, chemical and biological processes (biogeochemistry) in different ecosystems

demonstrate advanced skills related to the collection and storage of sediment, water, and biological samples

synthesise complex data sets to produce technical reports for a scientific audience.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Residential 1 day (Once)

Tutorial 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	15%
Calculations	35%
Portfolio	50%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Residential 1 day (Once)

Tutorial 1 hour (Weekly)

Assessment
Quiz	15%
Calculations	35%
Portfolio	50%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Reading materials and additional resources will be provided via Blackboard.
Students will require suitable clothing for the fieldwork component of the residential, including sturdy shoes. Students may be in the sun, may get wet, and may be required to wade into shallow water and/or mud.

Students will require fully enclosed shoes and a laboratory coat for laboratory sessions.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

Find out more for domestic fees