Unit Outline

A field-based unit taught in one of Tasmania’s distinctive natural environments. Students who successfully undertake this unit will develop a wide variety of skills in environmental data recording in the context of a project designed both to increase knowledge of natural environments and to contribute to their proper management. The skills include: the use of global positioning systems; rapid topographic survey techniques; microclimatic data collection techniques; soil analysis, geomorphological measurement; vegetation survey; fauna survey, mapping, and data entry. The unit provides students with the opportunity to build their field skills and their ability to work cooperatively on a meaningful project in one of the many interesting natural environments in Tasmania.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Choose appropriate tools and techniques to conduct field surveys within natural environments.
2	Measure and record field data across a range of subject areas in the field.
3	Produce a scientific document using the data collected in the field.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

We received positive feedback for KGA213 in 2023. Feedback regarding individual field workshops will be used to update this year's content and improve the learning experience. In response to student feedback, additional information will be made available on MyLO before the field trip to prepare students for the field experience. Finally, in 2024 we will aim to provide more feedback to sudents on their assignments where appropriate.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Field Test One	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Field Test Two	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Vegetation Map	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Scientific Report	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Field Test One

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to measure or record specified data/information in the field and to select an appropriate form of data collection to address particular problems. This test will cover surveying and climatological measurement.

Due during the first half of the field trip.

Task Length:

120 minutes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select appropriate tools and methodology	LO1
2	Operate surveying and climatological equipment	LO2
3	Measure and record surveying and climatological data	LO2
4	Interpret the collected datasets	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Field Test Two

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to measure or record specified data/information in the field and select an appropriate form of data collection to address particular problems. This test will cover all field technique topics except for surveying and climatological measurements.

Due on the final day of the field trip.

Task Length:

120 minutes

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select appropriate tools and methodology	LO1
2	Operate field equipment	LO2
3	Observe, measure and record field data	LO2
4	Interpret field observations	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Vegetation Map

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to measure or record specified data/information within a specified area in the field and to select an appropriate form of data collection to produce an accurate vegetation map.

Due on the final day of the field trip

Task Length:

One page map

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Select appropriate tools and methodology	LO1
2	Observe, measure and record field data	LO2
3	Present field data in the form of a map	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Scientific Report

Task Description:

This assessment requires you to report, analyse, and contextualise some of the data you collected (with or without older data) in the form of a scientific paper.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines on academic integrity.

Due date is approximately 2 weeks after the field trip.

The use of generative artificial intelligence in the completion of this assessment task is discouraged. However, any use of AI as a learning tool must be in alignment with the UTAS guidelines.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Interpret selected dataset	LO3
2	Present data graphically and in the form of a table	LO3
3	Interpret results in the context of other studies	LO3
4	Produce a document which follows the structure of a scientific paper	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.