This course will be next offered in 2022.
Fire is pivotal to the functioning of Australian ecosystems. This course explores a range of important themes concerning bushfires in Australian and international environments. The inter-dependent relationship between fire regimes and biota is explored using evidence from experiments and simulation modelling. An exploration of the sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors then provides a context for exploring the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change on future bushfire dynamics. Similarly, it provides context for understanding the role of bushfire management, including cultural and prescribed burning, in modifying fire regimes. These themes are brought together in an analysis of managing likelihood of adverse outcomes from bushfires, including legal and other societal implications. Key components of the course are insights into ongoing research being undertaken in the Fenner School, the ANU College of Law, the University of Canberra, land management agencies, the Murumbung Rangers, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, CSIRO, and an international network of landscape fire modellers.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Explain the pivotal importance of fire regimes for the present and future management of natural landscapes
- Explain methods for exploring fire regime effects including through long-term experiments and landscape simulation
- Explain how the sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors provides a context for exploring effects of land management, and the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change, on bushfire occurrence
- Explain principles for managing likelihood of adverse outcomes from bushfires, and for understanding subsequent legal and other societal implications of adverse outcomes
- Acquire, demonstrate and generate knowledge on bushfire dynamics, effects, measurement and management
- Select and research a relevant topic in depth (e.g. literature analysis, computer modelling)
Other Information
A quota will apply to admission to this course. Students must register an expression of interest to enrol via the following website.
Indicative Assessment
- Students must submit one laboratory sheet and attend 80% of reading discussion groups to attain a final grade. A CRS will be applied against these requirements. (0) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- One-hour mid-block quiz on significance and management of fire regimes in Australian and overseas environments. (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- 2000-word practical report, either constructing computer simulation model of plant dynamics subject to recurrent fire or analysis of data from a long-term fire ecology experiment. (35) [LO 1,2,5]
- 3000-word research paper (literature review or computer modelling) on relevant topic agreed with Course Convenor. (45) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component consisting of 65 hours of contact delivered intensively over 2 weeks comprising: lectures, practicals and field excursions;
- Approximately 65 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text in this course.
Preliminary Reading
Required reading will me notified and made available before course commencement, via the ANU course website.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4110 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5880 |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1279 | 31 Jan 2022 | 01 Feb 2022 | 11 Feb 2022 | 25 Feb 2022 | In Person | View |
