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.

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:

1. Explain the pivotal importance of fire regimes for the present and future management of natural landscapes
2. Explain methods for exploring fire regime effects including through long-term experiments and landscape simulation
3. 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
4. Explain principles for managing likelihood of adverse outcomes from bushfires, and for understanding subsequent legal and other societal implications of adverse outcomes
5. Acquire, demonstrate and generate knowledge on bushfire dynamics, effects, measurement and management
6. Select and research a relevant topic in depth (e.g. literature analysis, computer modelling)

Research-Led Teaching

Students in ‘Fire in the Environment’ learn about, and engage in, cutting-edge research on fire behaviour, ecology, management and law with leading researchers from ANU, CSIRO and beyond. Students construct simulation models, conduct fire behaviour experiments, analyse long-term fire ecology data sets, and have an opportunity to discuss recent research articles directly with the researchers who conducted the research and wrote the papers.

Field Trips

Please see the College of Science - Field Trip page for more information.

Additional Course Costs

It is anticipated that there will be no required additional course costs associated with this course, although students may benefit from purchasing books and other reference material to support their learning.

Examination Material or equipment

Not applicable.

Required Resources

Permitted materials for quiz: Non-programmable Calculators, Dictionaries for students with written departmental approval only.

The course electronic reading list will be provided before commencement of the course.

Recommended Resources

ENVS3008 'Fire in the Environment' is delivered as an In-person course. In-person participation is required for all course activities.

Generic advice on resources for ANU courses: See https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

1. Verbal feedback on queries and comments in lectures, practicals, reading groups and field trips, including breaks between these activities.

2. Verbal feedback on the mid-block quiz.

3. Written feedback on written reports.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

A quota will apply to admission to this course. Students must register an expression of interest to enrol via the following website.

Reports should include Harvard style, in-text, referencing. See: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/learning-development/academic-integrity/style-guides

You may wish to adopt a specific variation of this style, as required by the International Journal of Wildland Fire. See ‘References’ section of the journal’s instructions to authors:

http://www.publish.csiro.au/wf/forauthors/AuthorInstructions#17

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectures: Introduction; Attributes of species; Plant community dynamics; Vital Attributes; Animals and fire; Bushfires & genetic diversity; Managed fire in California and Australia; Prescribed burning effectiveness. Practical exercises: Banksia simulation modelling practical (I); Long-term fire ecology experiment practical. Reading discussions: Fire in the earth system; Bushfire ecology; Prescribed burning effectiveness; Bushfires and carbon dynamics. Field trips: Local area; Brindabella Range; Aboriginal knowledge field activity.	These activities relate to assessment items 1, 2 and 3
2	Assessment item: Mid-block quiz; Written report. Lectures: Factors associated with house loss in wildfires; Minimising likelihood of adverse outcomes; Fire regimes climate change and carbon; Remotes sensing of bushfires; Advanced bushfire behaviour prediction; Bushfire law. Practical exercises: Banksia simulation modelling practical (II); Bushfire fuel dynamics analysis. Reading discussions: Fire regimes and global change; The worldwide “wildfire problem; Remote sensing of bushfire fuel; Bushfire law. Field trips: CSIRO Bushfire research group, Canberra, including research update presentations and practical activities.	These activities relate to assessment items 2 and 3
3	Examination period – N/A
4	Indicative schedule only. May be rearranged due to weather considerations or availability of contributors, particularly those responsible for bushfire operations.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Mid-block Quiz	20 %	05/02/2024	12/02/2024	1, 2, 3
Written Report	35 %	14/02/2024	15/03/2024	1, 2, 5
Graduate Research Paper	45 %	04/03/2024	06/04/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students must attend and participate in 75% of reading discussions, as confirmed by a record of attendance. Students must also submit via wattle a concise ‘results’ sheet (Banksia simulation modelling or Long-term fire ecology experiment) for the alternative practical to that written up and submitted for assessment Task 2.

Examination(s)

Not applicable.

Assessment Task 1

Mid-block Quiz

Word limit (where applicable): Not applicable

Value: 20%

Presentation requirements: Students must write quiz answers in legible handwriting

Estimated return date: Approximately one week after quiz.

Hurdle Assessment requirements (where applicable): Not applicable

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): Not applicable

Assessment Task 2

Written Report

Students are required to choose either the ‘Long-term fire ecology experiment’ or the ‘Banksia simulation modelling’ practical and submit a 2,000 word report, worth 35% of the course assessment, by the date indicated in the course assessment outline. In either case, reports should be written in a traditional scientific format with an introduction stating an objective, a methods section, a results section, a discussion and a conclusion. Reports should contain key figures that demonstrate important aspects of the methods and results. Data should be reported in tables or graphs. Reports should also contain considerable referencing to key literature, not only to equations and data provided in the practicals, but also to demonstrate that you have explored aspects of the practical beyond the activities undertaken in class.

Estimated return date: Approximately four weeks after submission date

Hurdle Assessment requirements (where applicable): Students must submit via wattle a concise ‘results’ sheet (Banksia simulation modelling or Long-term fire ecology experiment) for the alternative practical to that written up and submitted for this assessment item.

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): Not applicable

Assessment Task 3

Graduate Research Paper

Word limit (where applicable): 2,500 words

Value: 45%

Presentation requirements:

The Graduate research paper takes the form of an analysis of literature (2,500 words) on a topic agreed with the course convenor. The paper can take a form suitable for an academic-style analysis of literature, or a conference paper, or a well-referenced government report. Being a literature analysis, reports should contain considerable referencing to key literature, including literature beyond that presented in course materials.

Estimated return date: Approximately four weeks after submission date

Hurdle Assessment requirements (where applicable): Not applicable.

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): Not applicable

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Written reports are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

Not applicable.

Late Submission

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure.

In the event of extenuating circumstances only, the Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date. See 'Procedure: Student assessment (coursework) ' for details.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Comments on written reports will be returned electronically, unless advised otherwise.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not applicable.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students