Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Sampling and Analysis

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ENVI1145

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

ENVI1145

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr Kathryn Hassell and Dr Christa Beckmann

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4647

Course Coordinator Email: kathryn.hassell@rmit.edu.au and christa.beckmann@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.10C

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for an appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed or received credit for the following course/s before you commence this course: 

If you have completed prior studies at RMIT or another institution that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible to apply for credit transfer. 

Alternatively, if you have prior relevant work experience that developed the skills and knowledge covered in the above course/s you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. 

Please follow the link for further information on how to apply for credit for prior study or experience. 


Course Description

This course provides you with program capstone and work integrated learning (WIL)  experiences, which will give you the opportunity to integrate, critically reflect on and consolidate what you have learnt in your program. Students will be required to attend a multi-day field excursion to gain practical skills and knowledge of field research and data collection practices. The course includes working individually and in small teams consisting of people from different areas of expertise. Projects will involve sampling, analyses and report writing on a range of topics, which aim to enhance field, laboratory and analytical skills using environmental samples or observations taken from water, soil and biota.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:  

BP192P23 - Bachelor of Environmental Science

PLO 1 Apply an interdisciplinary knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts, and practices in the environmental sciences
PLO 2 Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence through research with reflection on the role, relevance and significance of environmental science
PLO 3 Apply principles of scientific inquiry, tools, and techniques relevant to environmental science to solve problems informed by evidence-based decision making.
PLO 4 Critically evaluate and communicate concepts and practice relevant to the fields of environmental science to diverse audiences utilising a variety of modes employing integrity and culturally safe practices
PLO 5 Work independently, with agility, safety, and accountability for your own learning and professional future.
PLO 7 Collaborate and contribute within diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to diversity, equity and globally inclusive perspectives and practices including First Nations knowledges and input

BP193ENS23 - Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Environment and Society 

PLO 1 Apply an interdisciplinary knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts, and practices in the environmental sciences
PLO 2 Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence through research with reflection on the role, relevance and significance of environmental science
PLO 3 Apply principles of scientific inquiry, tools, and techniques relevant to environmental science to solve problems informed by evidence-based decision making.
PLO 4 Critically evaluate and communicate concepts and practice relevant to the fields of environmental science to diverse audiences utilising a variety of modes employing integrity and culturally safe practices
PLO 5 Work independently, with agility, safety, and accountability for your own learning and professional future. 

BP192P6 - Bachelor of Environmental Science  

PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere and; depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology. 
PLO 2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will understand that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences. 
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to gather, synthesize and critically evaluate environmental information from a range of sources. 
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to select and apply practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments. 
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to collect, accurately record, interpret and draw conclusions from scientific data. 
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be able to communicate environmental science results, information, or arguments effectively using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) to different audiences. 
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be an independent and self-directed learner. 
PLO 5.2 Personal and professional responsibility - You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically in an individual or team context. 

BH096ESDD - Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
BH096ESP24 - Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)

PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by demonstrating a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere or lithosphere, or depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology
PLO 2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will be able to exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by  demonstrating knowledge that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science through gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be an effective communicator of environmental sciences by effectively communicating environmental results, information, or arguments using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by being an independent and self-directed learner
PLO 5.2 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for your  individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context 

BP161ESDD6 Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Business (Management)

PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere and; depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology.
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to gather, synthesize and critically evaluate environmental information from a range of sources.
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to select and apply practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments.
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to collect, accurately record, interpret and draw conclusions from scientific data.
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be able to communicate environmental science results, information, or arguments effectively using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) to different audiences.
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be an independent and self-directed learner.
PLO 5.2 Personal and professional responsibility - You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically in an individual or team contex.
PLO2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will understand that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences. 

BH101ES - Bachelor of Science (Dean's Scholar, Environmental Science) (Honours)  

PLO 2 Scientific knowledge 
PLO 3 Inquiry and Problem Solving 
PLO 4 Communication 
PLO 5 Personal and professional responsibility 

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.   


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Apply sampling and measurement techniques for monitoring a range of environmental parameters.
  2. Critically evaluate information from a range of sources to apply to environmental science practice.
  3. Examine environmental and safety hazards to plan and mitigate risk associated with field work.
  4. Demonstrate collaboration in a team using project management skills and constructive communication to manage conflicts, as well as the ability to lead, to achieve project goals.
  5. Critically reflect on your experiences of concepts and practice relevant to the environmental sciences and identify pathways to improve your practice. 


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities will include pre-trip online self-guided activities, an immersive field excursion, post-trip laboratory sessions and tutorials, and individual and group-based tasks.   

The learning activities you will undertake will consist of:  

  • Lectures/lectorials where syllabus material will be explained and illustrated with real-world problems and examples
  • On-line assignments covering aspects of theory
  • Fieldwork projects designed to give you practice in the application of theory and analytical procedures
  • Written assignments  
  • Collaborative group activities  

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 


Overview of Learning Resources

The primary learning resources for this course comprise the field-based learning experiences during the excursion, including site visits, practical activities, and guest speaker presentations. A range of information and resources to support you to prepare for the field excursion will be available on Canvas. You may also need to seek out additional information (books, journal articles, online resources) available through the RMIT Library or other online databases to complete your assessment tasks.  

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through the myRMIT Studies Course.  

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Pre-trip online quizzes. This is an individual activity.   
Weighting 20%   
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3   

Assessment Task 2: Field-based activities and data collection. Includes both individual and team-based activities. 
Weighting 25%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5    

Assessment Task 3: Reflective journal (written). This is an individual activity.  
Weighting 15%  
This assessment task supports CLO 5  

Assessment Task 4: Data analysis and report (written). Includes both individual and team-based activities. 
Weighting 40%   
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5   

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.