• Offered by Crawford School of Public Policy
  • ANU College ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
  • Course subject Crawford School of Public Policy
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in Summer Session 2016
    Winter Session 2016
    See Future Offerings

The aim of the introductory science course is to revise basic scientific facts and concepts so as to prepare students for science-based courses, and to help understand the science that underpins environmental issues. The course is non-mathematical, and avoids unnecessary scientific jargon. Students in the Resources Environment and Development program (READ) are required to take the science-based course EMDV8026 Introduction to Environmental Science (unless they have already studied Environmental Science), and this science module helps prepare them for it. The Masters of Climate Change also requires that students take some science-based courses.

Students arrive in our program with many different backgrounds and levels of competence in science. Some students may already be familiar with the concepts in the science prep course, while others may be embarking for the first time on scientific study. The course ensures that all students are brought to the same level.

Environmental management is based on a scientific, evidence-based understanding of the natural environment and human interactions with it. For environmental problems, part of the solution always lies in objective and reliable knowledge about the way in which different management plans will affect the biophysical world. Understanding any environmental issues in the modern world requires some appreciation of science.

Science for the environment is primarily biological and chemical, with some contribution from simple physics and earth sciences. In addition, this module helps prepare students for the use of scientific language, and touches upon the nature and limitations

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On completion of the Academic and Research Skills component of this course, students will be able to
1. understand the university’s expectations
2. use strategies to manage time and assignments 
3. use strategies to effectively read and understand an academic text
4. use effective strategies to note take, paraphrase and summarise key ideas in an academic text
5. identify an argument and evidence in an academic text
6. construct an argument and provide evidence to support this
7. assess the strengths and weaknesses of another writer’s ideas
8. find, evaluate and interpret authoritative and relevant sources for assignments
9. apply the referencing conventions required by the Crawford School and avoid plagiarism
10. write and structure an assignment in an appropriate style
11. be familiar with the study of Public Policy  
12. submit an assignment through Wattle/TurnitinInformation Literacy Program

On completion of the Information Literacy Program in this course, students will be able to:
1. use strategies to effectively search for academic text
2. assess the strength and weaknesses of websites
3. assess information sources from Library databases and apply to research requirements
4. understand how to save and organise electronic files 
5. use professional design techniques in presentations
6. install online software through Microsoft Office 365 Online Portal 
7. apply correct academic formatting for long documents 

Indicative Assessment

A range of formative and summative assessment tasks will be used to aid student learning. Feedback will be provided on all tasks. Completion of all tasks is required.

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

Approximately 30 hours class, with an equivalent number of hours in self study

Preliminary Reading

Academic and Research SkillsReading Brick of articles, including focus paper and related articles
Crawford Style Guide
Crawford Graduate Academic and Research Skills Handbook
Information Literacy ProgramANU Library Webpage and Catalogue
Resources, Environment and Development (RE&D) - Subject Databases
International and Development Economics (IDEC) - Subject Databases
Policy and Governance (POGO)- Subject Databases
Internet & Research
File Management
Word for Academic Writing - Formatting your Document
Word for Academic Writing - Maintaining Consistency
Word for Academic Writing - Putting it all together
Presenting Techniques in PowerPoint Online resources: https://anulib.anu.edu.au/subjects/how-to/index.html

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
1
Unit value:
0 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
0.00 0.00000
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

Summer Session

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
1664 04 Jan 2016 05 Feb 2016 05 Feb 2016 12 Feb 2016 In Person N/A

Winter Session

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
6681 09 Jun 2016 08 Jul 2016 08 Jul 2016 15 Jul 2016 In Person N/A

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions