Maintaining the balance between our environment, society and sustainable development is challenging. The future needs you to contribute to sustainable solutions to big issues including climate change, food security, health, land management, biodiversity loss, resource competition, and societal equity.

In this course you will explore a range of contemporary environment and sustainability issues. You will develop an understanding of approaches and viewpoints in environmental and sustainability sciences, learn to link perspectives from the natural and social sciences, and develop discipline and professional skills. Using case studies and problem-based learning, you will draw connections and apply concepts and techniques that may help inform practical solutions to address complex future challenges.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Develop fundamental understandings of key topics in environment and sustainability sciences. 
2. Recognise, understand and explain the complexity of linkages between drivers, pressures, impacts and responses for contemporary environment and sustainability challenges.
3. Evaluate current context, understandings and methods in environmental and sustainability sciences, and critically analyse approaches designed to address complex contemporary issues.
4. Develop discipline and professional skills and knowledge that underpin the diversity of learning in environmental and sustainability sciences.
5. Demonstrate application of knowledge and skills propose solutions to environmental problems.

Research-Led Teaching

This course will use current research and real-world projects topics to introduce students to interesting concepts and challenges facing environmental and sustainability science. The lecturers and tutors of this course are academic researchers or industry professionals who will drawing directly from their own research experience or management practice.This course is designed and delivered using best pedagogical practice and education research to enhance the learning experience and outcomes for students.

Field Trips

This course will involve multiple field trips to sites in the local Canberra region. Students will be transported during field trips in university vehicles.

Required Resources

Other than appropriate clothing for field trips (walking shoes, hat, weather appropriate clothing), all equipment and resources will be provided throughout the course.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please 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:

• written comments
• verbal comments where requested
• feedback to whole class, tutorial groups and individuals

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	ENVS1008 is designed to build foundational knowledge and applied skills in environment and sustainability sciences.This course will be assessed Pass/Fail, rather than percentage graded. To pass the course students will be required to demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in each activity skill and/or complete work to an acceptable standard, as identified for each task. Students must pass all three components. Failing one (after any resubmission allowed by policy) results in failing the course. Students who initially fail an assessment may revise and resubmit (subject to institutional guidelines) in response to formative feedback provided.  Weekly face to face teaching will occur within one timetabled 6 hour block (Tuesday afternoons). Students can expect a mixture of lectures, workshops, field work and laboratory activities. A strong feature of each week will be group work, applied to real world scenarios. Support material will be provided on wattle page including relevant recorded material.Week 1 - Welcome to the degree and course. Including a two hour field activity in local Canberra.
2	Module 1, Wk 2 - Physical factors of an environment	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, Craig Strong, James Latimer
3	Module 1, Wk 3 - Exploring environments	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, Craig Strong, specialist input from staff at Wildbark and FSES researchers
4	Module 1, Wk 4 - Biotic factors of an environment	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, Matt Brookhouse, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Workshop exercise A due Mon 10 Mar
5	Module 2, Wk 5 - Human factors	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, Rob Dyball, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Learning Journal PA due Mon 17 Mar
6	Module 2, Wk 6 - Sustainable Development	Led by: Edwina Fingleton-Smith and specialist input from environmental consultants + FSES researchersAssessment: Workshop exercise B due Mon 24 Mar
7	Teaching break: 31 March - 11 April	Assessment: Group work A due Mon 31 March
8	Module 2, Wk 7 - People and communities	Led by: Edwina Fingleton Smith, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Workshop exercise C due Mon 14 Apr
9	Module 2, Wk 8 - Collaborative approaches to problem solving	Led by: Edwina Fingleton Smith, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Workshop exercise D due Mon 21 AprAssessment: Learning Journal PB due Mon 21 Apr
10	Module 3, Wk 9 - Evidence Based Science	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, specialist input from FSES researchers
11	Module 3, Wk 10 - Systems and Interventions	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Workshop exercise E due Mon 5 May
12	Module 3, Wk 11 - Applied Environment and Sustainability Sciences	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, specialist input from FSES researchersAssessment: Group work B due Mon 12 May
13	Module 3, Wk 12 - Looking Forward to the Future	Led by: Rachael Rodney Harris, specialist input from FSES researchers Assessment: Workshop exercise F due Mon 19 May Assessment: Learning Journal PC due Mon 19 May
14	Post-teaching	Assessment: Learning Journal Final due Mon 2 June Assessment: Group work C due Mon 2 June

Tutorial Registration

Via MyTT

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Workshop Exercises	40 %	1, 2, 3
Group Work Projects	45 %	1, 3, 4, 5
Learning Journal	15 %	1, 2, 3, 4, 5

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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

This is a highly interactive course and there is a general expectation that students will actively participate in workshops and group work and are required to complete all assessment items to an acceptable standard.

Examination(s)

There is no exam for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Workshop Exercises

This course will be marked using Pass/Fail, competency based structure in which students must complete and pass each assessment.

Throughout the course, linked with activities undertaken in weekly workshops, students will complete six tasks that demonstrate their understanding and proficiency of the necessary knowledge and/or capabilities related to environment and sustainability sciences. These tasks will reinforce foundational concepts, explore environmental complexities, and practice methods/analysis. Students will be required to submit each tasks acceptable quality, reflecting participation in the relevant activities. Exercises will be due at the start of the week following the workshop. 

Pass/Fail Criteria 

Pass if the student: 

Completes All Required Tasks 

• Submits each by the deadline. 
• Demonstrates adequate understanding of the relevant concepts (LO 1) and methods (LO 2,3). 

Maintains Consistent Quality 

• Addresses feedback to correct misunderstandings via resubmission or in subsequent exercises. 
• Shows professional conduct (reliability in completing tasks, contributing fairly to group activities, exhibiting ethical conduct and academic integrity). 

Engages Responsibly in Workshop Context 

• Participates sufficiently in workshop activities and group work. 
• Collaborates respectfully, if needed, during in-class problem-solving. 

Fail if the student: 

• Fails to meet minimal quality standards. 
• Demonstrates persistent misunderstandings without applying feedback. 
• Fails to submit by deadlines or exhibits repeated unprofessional behaviour in workshop sessions and activities. 

 

Assessment Task 2

Group Work Projects

This course will be marked using Pass/Fail, competency based structure in which students must complete and pass each assessment.

Over the semester there will be three group tasks, one aligned with each module. For each, students will form small teams to investigate an environmental or sustainability challenge. Each task will involve delivery of a report, presentation, or other product demonstrating application of course concepts in a real or simulated environmental context. As well as disciplinary knowledge, these assessments will enable students will demonstrate professional skills including communications, writing for different audiences, teamwork, research skills and project management. Products will be due 2 weeks after the end of the module. Students may have the opportunity receive feedback and resubmit their work to improve the output or bring it to an acceptable standard if required.  

This assessment item will be comprised of three group tasks completed over the semester.

• Group Project #1: biophysical module - In this task each group will develop an interactive activity or installation to educate the public about a biophysical element of Canberra’s local environment. This will be based on a visit to a local reserve, and the needs of a client with whom students will interact (Week 3). This task will be supported by a workshop on science communication. It is the intent that the activities developed will be made available to future visitors to the reserve to educate and enhance their experience.  

• Group Project #2: social applications module - In this task each group will develop a policy position or campaign relevant to the content delivered in weeks 6-8. This task will be supported by a workshop on understanding policy position and campaigns.

• Group Project #3: systems module - In this task groups will design, conduct and report on their own scientific investigation. Students will draw on their knowledge from the course to design a research question, identify the data needed to answer that question and how this will be collected (week 9), collect the data in the field (week 10), process it if required (week 11), and report on their findings. Reporting will include a short oral presentation and group report.

Presentation format and further directions for each group work task will be available via the course Wattle site

Pass/fail criteria 

Pass if the group (and each member within it): 

Submits a Cohesive, Well-Structured Deliverable 

• States a clear objective or question. 
• Demonstrates competent use of environmental/sustainability knowledge and methods. 
• Proposes or evaluates practical solutions. 
• Demonstrates creativity. 

Collaborates Effectively 

• Distributes workload fairly; each member’s input is evident. 
• Demonstrates professional standards in communication and problem-solving. 

Meets Basic Academic/Professional Standards 

• Delivers on time. 
• Shows no integrity issues (e.g., plagiarism or inaccurate data reporting). 
• Provides proper references and a logical structure. 

 

Fail if the group (or any individual within it): 

• Submits incomplete or incoherent work of a less than acceptable standard. 
• Exhibits significantly poor collaboration (e.g., member do not all participate; unresolved conflict hinders deliverable quality). 
• Fails to demonstrate appropriate methods. 
• Does not meet academic integrity standards. 

Assessment Task 3

Learning Journal

This course will be marked using Pass/Fail, competency based structure in which students must complete and pass each assessment.

You are required to reflect on your learning and experiences throughout the semester.

In this task, students will individually undertake reflective practice and self assessment, documenting their evolving understanding of environmental challenges, skill development, and solution-focused thinking in response to the activities and experiences they encounter through the course. Students will submit four entries; three progressive entries and one final reflection. Progressive entries will be submitted at fortnightly intervals throughout the semester. You will be provided with guiding questions to help guide your reflections discussing experiences such as lectures, field work, readings, workshop insights, and group project progress. These questions will be available on Wattle under the Assessment Details tab. A Final Reflection that synthesizes key takeaways and prospective applications beyond the course will be submitted following semester. Some guiding questions will be provided to support reflective thinking.  

Pass/Fail Criteria 

Pass if the student: 

Maintains Consistent, Thoughtful Entries 

• Submits entries by deadlines and shows a genuine attempt to connect course content to broader environmental contexts. 

Demonstrates Critical Reflection 

• Discusses personal growth, referencing challenges or moments of realisation. 
• Identifies professional or skill-based lessons learned or further opportunities identified. 

Articulates Application of Knowledge 

• Describes how insights might inform future solutions or professional scenarios. 
• Reflects on how workshop, field trip and group activities reinforced these lessons. 

 

Fail if the student: 

• Fails to submit all reflective entries or skips major sections.  
• Produces only superficial entries lacking meaningful self-analysis or connection to course material. 

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

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. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (production of a physical product, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted for timed and in-person assessment tasks. If submission of assessment tasks without a previously approved extension is not permitted and will result in a fail grade for the course
• Late submission of written tasks. Late submission of assessment tasks without a previously approved extension may be penalised and result in a fail grade for the course.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments will be provided via the Wattle site submission or email, and results will be posted up on the Wattle gradebook.

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

Re submission of assignments may be permitted with approval.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students