The focus of the course will be on developing integrated approaches to a number of complex environmental problems that graduating students are likely to face in research or work environments. The problems will be investigated as a series of cases and will cover topics such as active transport, revegetation, human-wildlife interactions and the socio-spatial accessibility of public facilities. The first part of the course will involve some training in meta-principles of integrated research. It will then move into a series of modules which will be two-week blocks focused on specific problems. These blocks will include lectures by experts, training in relevant research domains (e.g. qualitative techniques or GIS-based analysis) and group work summarising a research approach to the problem.

Having worked in an interdisciplinary team to define a research approach for a range of problems, students will then conduct a more in-depth investigation of one of the cases for their individual research projects.

Honours Pathway Option

Subject to the approval of the course convenor; students taking this option will be expected to complete alternative weekly readings and to be prepared to discuss this advanced material in tutorials and incorporate it into their major assignment/s.

On completion of the course students will the following:

• Higher-level problem solving skills in environmental science;
• Research training and data preparation skills in domain-specific areas (e.g. quantitative analysis or GIS)
• Be able to identify and critically evaluate integrative research methods from academic literature
• Demonstrate an understanding of the methodological challenges posed by integrative research
• Demonstrate an understanding of the practical challenges posed by integrative research
• Participate effectively in integrative research projects.

• Critical review of journal paper or project seminar, expected to show conceptual understanding and a degree of discovery learning (10%)
• Group research summaries for case modules (25%)
• Research project (35%)
• Exam (30%)

65 contact hours , including lectures, tutorials, workshops and practicals.

72 units towards a degree

ENVS3024, ENVS3036

Completion of 72 units towards a degree.

Preliminary Reading:

Chang, K. (2008) Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, McGraw

van Kerkhoff, L. (2005). Integrated research: concepts of connection in environmental science and policy, Environmental Science & Policy, 8(5), 439-463.

Standard IT and library access.