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Course Outline

ENS120 Introduction to Environmental Management

Course Coordinator:Savindi Caldera (scaldera@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Environmental managers are at the centre of global efforts to minimise human impacts on the environment and use resources sustainably. In this course you will investigate the complex relationships between economic, social and environmental systems and learn how local actions can have global effects. You will recognise the importance of preserving biodiversity and that healthy ecosystems are the foundation of economic and societal well-being. You will also become familiar with environmental and natural resource management objectives at different scales and in different sectors and the management practices relevant to achieving them.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – There will be a minimum of 12 hours of quality online learning materials available to support student learning. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 9 times
Fieldwork – Fieldwork. Dates to be determined. Field work will occur in place of workshops in the scheduled weeks. 5hrs Not applicable 4 times

Course Topics

  • Global environmental trends and issues
  • Complexity and wicked problems
  • Environmental and sustainable development objectives
  • Overview of environmental management assessment
  • Production, consumption, urbanisation and extractive industries
  • Managing biodiversity; pest and weed management
  • Soil, sediment, air and water – environmental degradation
  • Systems based approaches
  • Desktop analysis to delineate site characteristics 
  • Waste management and circular economy 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Analyse problems in the context of both local and global influences using systems-based logic and interdisciplinary approaches. Sustainability-focussed
2 Recognise the importance of natural and cultural assets, biodiversity and ecosystem services as the foundation of economic and societal well-being. Sustainability-focussed
3 Articulate key environmental and natural resource management objectives at different scales and in different sectors and explain the policies, practices, management systems and legislation relevant to achieving them. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 3, a draft of your Task 1 poster will be reviewed in the Workshop

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Creative, and Oral Group 30% 
Equivalent to 1000 words
 Week 4 In Class
All 2 Written Piece Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Written Piece Individual 40% 
2250 words
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Systems analysis
Goal: 
This task is designed to give you a big picture understanding of the relationship between human and environmental systems.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The systems diagram poster can be produced in Canva or a similar application. You will present your poster orally during the workshop.
See Canvas for more information and examples. Equivalent to 1000 words.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Depth of analysis including local and global impacts across environmental, social and economic domains
 1
2 
Scope of linkages identified between human and natural systems
 2 3
3 
Articulation of feedback effects
 3
4 
Articulate the relevant sectors and analyse their systems influence
 1 3
5 
Format and presentation
 3
6 
Quality of data and references used
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Environmental management report
Goal: 
You will investigate the impacts of an environmental management issue of your choice, describe the issues and influences and set out the elements of an environmental management framework.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Technical report with images, figures and tables. 1500 words
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification and analysis of issues and influences across environmental, social and economic domains
 1 2
2 
Description of environmental management objectives at different scales
 3
3 
Scope and depth of policies and practices identified relevant to achieving them
 3
4 
Format and presentation
 3
5 
Quality of references used
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Portfolio of site investigations
Goal: 
Through visits to local sites you will explore environmental and natural resource management objectives at different scales and in different sectors and explain the policies, practices, management systems and legislation relevant to achieving them.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Report template provided – 3A: Site investigation 1 report (Linked to Field Trip 1); 3B: Portfolio of two site investigations (Linked to two of Field Trips 2, 3 & 4) 
Submit: 3A week 7 (10%), 3B week 12 (30%)
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification of site attributes
 2
2 
Description of environmental management objectives
 3
3 
Description of environmental management systems and processes and appraisal of their efficacy
 3
4 
Quality of images, data and figures
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities 
n/a
 
n/a

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

None

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all field activities and low to moderate levels of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks may include working in an Australian bush setting, working with people, working outside normal office hours for example. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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