This course develops multi-disciplinary skills by integrating scientific knowledge and environmental management using examples of major environmental issues related to land and marine environments, including the coastal zone. Through lectures, research projects and field study site visits, students learn about:

• mine site rehabilitation
• national parks and their management
• management of indigenous lands
• wildlife management for conservation and production
• sustainable management of land and water resources in rangelands and croplands
• management of river systems and catchments
• coastal zone management

This course is of interest to soil scientists, foresters, geographers, geologists, and others involved in land and catchment management.

Honours Pathway Option

Subject to the approval of the course convenor; students taking this option will be expected to complete advanced weekly readings and to be prepared to discuss this advanced material in tutorials. In addition, students will be expected to make a tutorial presentation on one week's reading and to lead the subsequent discussion (a minimum of 15% of overall assessment). All other assessment and requirements remain the same.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Conduct a detailed literature search and prepare a major research paper on a major environmental issue related to land and marine environments, including the coastal zone
2. Conduct a detailed literature search and prepare a research seminar on a major environmental issue related to land and marine environments, including the coastal zone.
3. Discuss a range of environmental issues with various land managers, government extension officers and private consultants, and prepare a report on these issues.
4. Work in teams to record data, write joint reports, and present joint papers at conferences.
5. Explain both the scientific underpinning and environmental implications of critical issues in land, marine and coastal environments, including mine site rehabilitation, national parks and their management, management of indigenous lands, wildlife management for conservation and production, sustainable management of land and water resources in rangelands and croplands, management of river systems and catchments, and coastal zone management.

• 2500-word major research essay, involving a comprehensive literature review and detailed and critical essay on a selected topic (25%; LO 1)
• Research seminar that requires a detailed literature search and presentation of research topic (20%; LO 2)
• Field trip reports that require gathering data firsthand from guest speakers and researching the literature (25%; LO 3, 4)
• Final exam that will require summarising information presented throughout the course in various modules (30%; LO 5)

65 contact hours, including five hours per week (two hours lectures, three hours workshop) or equivalent time as field trips. A major compulsory field trip to the marginal rangelands of NSW is held in September.

72 units towards a degree

Incompatible with FSTY3055, SREM3004 or SRES3004