Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment
Deakin University Unit Guide
Trimester 1, 2023
CONTENTS
WELCOME ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
WHO IS THE UNIT TEAM? .................................................................................................................................................... 2
Unit chair: leads the teaching team and is responsible for overall delivery of this unit .............................................. 2
Unit chair details .......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Other members of the team and how to contact them .............................................................................................. 2
Administrative queries ................................................................................................................................................. 2
ABOUT THIS UNIT ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Unit development in response to student feedback ................................................................................................... 3
Your Unit Learning Outcomes ...................................................................................................................................... 3
ASSESSING YOUR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES ............................................................................ 4
- Summative assessment task 1 ................................................................................................................................... 4
- Summative assessment task 2 ................................................................................................................................... 5
- Summative assessment task 3 ................................................................................................................................... 5
- Summative assessment task (End of Unit Assessment) ............................................................................................. 6
Your learning experiences in this Unit - and your expected commitment .................................................................. 7
Scheduled learning activities - campus ........................................................................................................................ 7
UNIT LEARNING RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Essential learning resources ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Recommended learning resources .............................................................................................................................. 8
KEY DATES FOR THIS TRIMESTER ........................................................................................................................................ 9
UNIT WEEKLY ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................................... 9
02 February 2023
Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
WELCOME
SLE103 introduces students to the science of ecology, investigating relationships between organisms and the environment. In
this unit, students will also explore climate change and energy issues. They will learn about the nature of science and the
scientific method and how to use a systems framework to investigate environmental issues. This will equip students with the
capacity to study key environmental issues such as climate systems and ecological systems and make a difference.
This Unit Guide provides you with the key information about this unit. Please read it carefully and refer to it frequently
throughout the trimester. Your Unit site also provides information about your rights and responsibilities. We will assume you
have read this before the unit commences, and we expect you to refer to it throughout the trimester.
To be successful in this unit, you must:
Read all materials in preparation for your classes or seminars, and follow up each with further study and research on
the topic;
Start your assessment tasks well ahead of the due date;
Read or listen to all feedback carefully, and use it in your future work;
Attend and engage in all timetabled learning experiences.
WHO IS THE UNIT TEAM?
Unit chair: leads the teaching team and is responsible for overall delivery of this unit
Tricia Wevill
Unit chair details
Campus:
Melbourne Burwood Campus
221 Burwood Highway
BURWOOD VIC 3125
Email:
tricia.wevill@deakin.edu.au
Phone:
+61 3 924 46439
Other members of the team and how to contact them
Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Leader
Name:
Patricia Corbett, Lecturer
Campus:
Warrnambool Campus
Princes Highway
WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280
Email:
p.corbett@deakin.edu.au
Phone:
+61 3 556 33110
Administrative queries
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
Check-out the 'SEBE Student Hub' section on your Unit site
Contact your Unit Chair or Campus Leader
Drop in or contact Student Central to speak with a Student Adviser
For additional support information, please see the Rights and Responsibilities section under 'Resources' in your Unit site.
ABOUT THIS UNIT
Unit development in response to student feedback
Every trimester, we ask students to tell us, through eVALUate, what helped and hindered their learning in each Unit. You are
strongly encouraged to provide constructive feedback for this Unit when eVALUate opens (you will be emailed a link).
In previous versions of this unit, students have told us that these aspects of the Unit have helped them to achieve the
learning outcomes:
splitting content into two separate modules
opportunities for revision and assessment task support during workshops
provision of Open Education Resources for weekly readings so that a textbook does not need to be purchased
online support via the discussion board
a wide variety of online resources to support learning, including clear identification of key concepts, quizzes and
revision activities in the weekly content, guides for assessment tasks
The following aspects of the unit have been introduced, enhanced or retained in response to feedback from students who
have undertaken this unit in previous trimesters:
open Educational Resources provided for daily readings such that students do not need to purchase a textbook
continued development of workshop activities to reinforce key concepts and enhance student learning outcomes
use of interactive activities during live classes
introduction of an on-campus workshops, to provide opportunities to work with peers and to introduce field skills
If you have any concerns about the Unit during the trimester, please contact the unit teaching team - preferably early in the
trimester - so we can discuss your concerns, and make adjustments, if appropriate.
Your Unit Learning Outcomes
Each Unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all Units develop and assess
every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).
ULO
These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the
completion of this unit, successful students can:
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
ULO1
Explain the processes involved in evidence based scientific
enquiry.
GLO1: Discipline-specific
knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
ULO2
Demonstrate, through verbal and written communication,
the ability to apply scientific methodology through individual
and group tasks.
GLO1: Discipline-specific
knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
ULO
These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the
completion of this unit, successful students can:
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
ULO3
Describe the factors that contribute to the patterns of global
climate systems.
GLO1: Discipline-specific
knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management
ULO4
Compare the processes involved in obtaining electricity for
human use from renewable and non-renewable energy
sources.
GLO1: Discipline-specific
knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving
ULO5
Identify the abiotic and biotic components within ecosystems, GLO1: Discipline-specific
and explain the interactions between these components.
knowledge and capabilities
ULO6
Summarise the impacts of loss of biodiversity on
environmental systems.
GLO1: Discipline-specific
knowledge and capabilities
ASSESSING YOUR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Summative assessment (tasks that will be graded or marked)
NOTE: It is your responsibility to keep a backup copy of every assignment and the materials used to develop/complete
it where possible (e.g. written/digital reports, essays, videos, images). In the unusual event that one of your
submissions becomes corrupted, is incorrectly submitted or otherwise lost, you may be asked to submit the backup copy.
Any work you submit may be checked by electronic or other means for the purposes of detecting breaches of academic
integrity such as collusion, plagiarism and contract cheating. You must understand your responsibility to act with honesty and
integrity in your studies as Deakin takes all breaches very seriously. Make sure you read Your rights and responsibilities as a
student in this unit to find out more about academic integrity.
Deakin has a universal assessment submission time of 8 pm AEDT/AEST. A late penalty will apply to assessments submitted
after 11.59 pm AEDT/AEST.
- Summative assessment task 1
Group Poster Presentation (Module 1)
Brief description of
assessment task
Detail of student output
Environmental issues: group poster presentation.
Students will be placed into groups and will investigate an environmental management issue
related to climate change.
Students will work in groups to produce a poster on an environmental issue. The poster will
be presented during Workshop 3 (week 6) and each student will be required to answer
questions from other students and their demonstrators about the topic presented in the
poster.
Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
15% - marked and graded
(10% based on content, 5% based on individual communication and knowledge)
This task assesses your
achievement of these Unit
Learning Outcome(s)
ULO1 - students will need to investigate current scientific evidence related to climate
change.
ULO2 - students will need to apply knowledge of scientific methodology to the arguments
detailed in their poster and in their response to questions about the topic.
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
This task assesses your
achievement of these
Graduate Learning
Outcome(s)
GLO1 - students will research up-to-date scientific data about climate change.
GLO2 - support will be provided to enhance poster presentation and oral presentation skills.
GLO4 - the argument around the causes and solutions to climate change are complex;
students will be required to think critically about possible environmental management
options.
GLO7 - a group task; group work will be used, and scaffolded via the use of group 'contracts'
that establish the group's rules and plan.
How and when you will
receive feedback on your
work
Feedback will be provided to each group member once the task has been completed. Tutors
will fill out a marking criteria feedback sheet that will provide students with encouragement
for areas of the task completed well, and suggested areas for improvement.
When and how to submit
your work
Poster presentations will take place during your allocated workshop time in week 6. Further
details will be provided on the Unit site.
Every student must submit a copy of their poster to the AT1 dropbox prior to their workshop
in week 6.
- Summative assessment task 2
Online multiple-choice test
Brief description of
assessment task
Online multiple-choice test assessing module 1 learning outcomes.
Detail of student output
The test is run online via the Unit site, and so it is effectively an open book test. However,
you will need to be very familiar with all topics covered in classes, workshops, and readings
before the test in order to finish within the designated time period.
You have one hour to complete the test.
Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
20% - marked and graded
This task assesses your
achievement of these Unit
Learning Outcome(s)
ULO1 - the test will assess that students have achieved an appropriate introductory level of
knowledge in evidence based science
ULO2 - will test students ability to apply scientific knowledge to a problem
ULO3 - will recognise the patterns that contribute to global climate systems
ULO4 - students will be required to compare processes of obtaining energy from a variety
of energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable.
This task assesses your
achievement of these
Graduate Learning
Outcome(s)
GLO1 - an understanding of knowledge specific to environmental science will be assessed
GLO4 - to be able to successfully complete the assessment task students must demonstrate
an ability to critically evaluate information provided to them and use their own judgement
to assess a variety of options.
How and when you will
receive feedback on your
work
Students will receive feedback via their grade.
When and how to submit
your work
One hour open book test to be completed online. Can be completed at any time while the
test is open.
Opens: Wednesday, 26 April 2023 @ 8am (AEST) week 7; and
Closes: Friday, 28 April 2023 @ 8pm (AEST) week 7.
- Summative assessment task 3
Written report (Module 2)
Brief description of
assessment task
02 February 2023
An individual scientific report, investigating components of an ecosystem.
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
Detail of student output
A written scientific report following the guidelines provided in the assessment task outline.
The length of the report is 1500-2000 words.
Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
25% - marked and graded
This task assesses your
ULO2 - students must demonstrate an understanding of scientific methodology and apply it to
achievement of these Unit their investigation of their chosen ecosystem.
Learning Outcome(s)
ULO5 - the task requires the students to identify abiotic and biotic components within their
chosen ecosystem, and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between these
components by answering a series of questions related to their chosen ecosystem.
This task assesses your
achievement of these
Graduate Learning
Outcome(s)
GLO1 - will gain an introductory level of understanding of the science of Ecology.
GLO2 - written communication skills will be assessed.
GLO6 - as well as being an individual report, students must select their own ecosystem to
assess. They must then independently apply knowledge learned to their chosen ecosystem.
How and when you will
receive feedback on your
work
Students are encouraged to begin the task early, so that they can ask their tutors any
questions about their chosen site. If unsure about aspects of the task, tutors can provide
constructive feedback to ensure the task achieves the learning outcome. Once assessed,
students will be provided with written feedback, addressing criteria that has been well done,
and directing students to areas that require improvement.
When and how to submit
your work
Submission: online via the AT3 drop box on the Unit site.
Due: Thursday, 18 May @ 8pm (AEST)
- Summative assessment task (End of Unit Assessment)
End of Unit Assessment - Written
Brief description of
assessment task
This assessment task will assess a student’s understanding of the three main topics covered in
Module 2: Ecosystems, Community Ecology and Population Ecology.
Students will be required to undertake a 2-hour assessment which will consist of 75 multiple
choice questions. The assessment will only cover the class material from module 2 (Ecology
How you demonstrate your module).
achievement
This assessment will require you to demonstrate your knowledge, skill and understanding of
Module 2 content. It is completed online. At a set release time, you will be given the
assessment instructions and will complete the assessment by a set deadline.
40%
Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
This task assesses your
achievement of these Unit
Learning Outcome(s)
ULO1 - will require students to apply their knowledge of the process of scientific enquiry.
ULO2 - will assess student's ability to apply scientific methodology and process to problem
based scenarios.
ULO5 - will assess student understanding of the components of ecosystems, both biotic and
abiotic; will test whether students have an introductory level of understanding of the
interactions and relationships between components within ecosystems.
ULO6 - students will be expected to show an understanding of the global and local patterns of
biodiversity loss, and future impacts on global environmental systems.
This task assesses your
achievement of these
Graduate Learning
Outcome(s)
GLO1 - students will be assessed on their understanding of introductory ecology.
GLO4 - students will be asked questions that will illustrate their ability to critically evaluate
scientific data.
GLO5 - students will be presented with problems, and will be tested on their ability to apply
discipline specific knowledge to these problems.
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
How and when you will
receive feedback on your
work
Deakin University will release the final assessment results at the stipulated timeframe.
Students will receive a mark for the test at the end of the trimester that will illustrate how
well they have understood the scientific concepts within this module.
Students may request individual feedback from the Unit Chair on their performance in the
assessment within ten University working days from receiving their mark.
Students will be required to undertake a timed online assessment during the End of Unit
Assessment Period.
When and how to submit
your work
You will start and complete at any time within a scheduled 24-hour window, with an specified
time limit of 2-hours. Further details will be provided on the Unit site.
It is the responsibility of students to review their End of Unit Assessment timetable when it is
released via DeakinSync.
The number of grades awarded at pass, credit, distinction and high distinction will be determined, not by a fixed percentage
of candidates, but by the quality of assessed work.
Pass
Students demonstrate that their knowledge, skills and understanding of the subject or unit satisfy the stated and implied
criteria. Provided that there is no larger section of work that is only poorly understood, satisfactory performance is evidenced
by an average mark of pass standard on tests, assignments and practical work.
Credit
Students show that, in at least one aspect of assessed work, they not only have the necessary knowledge of subject matter
but also a thorough understanding of the principles needed in applying this knowledge. This will be evidenced most
commonly, by an average score significantly above 50% on assessed work.
Distinction
Students demonstrate excellence in all phases of the subject or unit. This will be evidenced by high scores on tests and
exercises, indicating that they not only have the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding but also the ability to apply
them successfully both in practice relating to familiar situations and problem solving in less familiar situation.
High Distinction
Students’ work is exceptional in quality. It may be evidenced by very high marks in tests, or a wide-ranging and thorough
investigation and report, or a deep appreciation of the principles involved and their applications, or publishable material.
Your learning experiences in this Unit - and your expected commitment
Scheduled learning activities - campus
Trimester 1: 2 x 1 hour online classes per week (Weeks 1-4 and 6-10), 2 x 1 hour seminars (weeks 5 and 11), 5 x 2 hour
workshops per trimester.
Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for
this unit. This will include a combination of online classes, on-campus seminars and workshops, as well as assessment tasks
and personal study time. Students will complete numerous independent online learning activities, as well as daily readings
that directly link to unit topics. The online learning activities are available to complement and extend class/workshop
content.
To achieve the learning outcomes for this unit you will need to adopt regular work habits and complete the required readings
and assessment tasks in a timely fashion. You must engage in all unit materials on a daily basis. It is important that you don't
get behind, as the topics are directly tied to seminars and your assessment task
Attendance at workshops is essential, as they will not be recorded. This is where you will revise the weekly topics, learn
about your assessment tasks, and it is your opportunity to ask questions. Please note that the first assessment task is a
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
group presentation that will take place within your scheduled workshop time. Allocation into groups will take place during
the first workshop.
Topic readings are located via a link in the SLE103 reading list and in the weekly readings, available on the unit site in Weekly
content.
Any information about the assessment tasks that is in addition to that outlined within the Unit site will be communicated via
the unit opening page on the Unit site, in the Announcements section. It is very important that you log into the Unit site and
check unit information AT LEAST DAILY for any updates.
In order to achieve unit goals, all students should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do the required readings and associated activities
Attend and participate in seminars and workshops
Think about what is covered in the readings and classes and how it relates to the unit learning outcomes
Complete all assessment tasks on time. If you are having trouble completing a task on time, please contact the unit
chair as soon as possible
5. Keep learning - keep asking questions!!
UNIT LEARNING RESOURCES
Your unit learning resources are available in your Unit site.
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE103 Note: Select the
relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month
prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide
only.
Essential learning resources
SLE103 uses an Open Educational Resource and students do not need to purchase a textbook. These daily prescribed
readings are found on the University Library website and can be accessed via the SLE103 Reading List and via a link provided
on the Unit site.
Recommended learning resources
Extended reading resources (you are not required to purchase these, but can access them from the Deakin Library)
Attiwill, P. & Wilson, B. 2006 Ecology: An Australian Perspective (2nd edn) Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Begon, M, Townsend, CR & Harper, JL 2006, Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems (5th edn (or 4th edn), Blackwell,
Malden, Mass.
Botkin, D; Keller, E. 2014, Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet (9th edn), Wiley; Sons, Hoboken, NJ.
Burroughs, W.J. 2007. Climate Change: A multidisciplinary approach (2nd edn). Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
Urry, LA, Meyers, N, Cain, ML, Wasserman, SA, Minorsky, PV, Orr, R, Burke Da Silva, K, Parkinson, A Lluka, L &
Chunduri, P, 2022, Campbell Biology, (12th ANZ end), Pearson, Melboune.
Casper, J.C. 2007. Energy: Powering the Past, Present and Future. Chelsea House, New York.
Cleugh, H., Stafford Smith, M., Battaglia, M. & Graham, P. eds. 2011. Climate Change: science and solutions for
Australia, CSIRO, Collingwood, VIC.
Downie, D.L., Brash, K. & Vaughan, C. 2009. Climate Change: A reference handbook. ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara,
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
California.
Knox, B, Ladiges, P ; Evans, B. 2014, Biology: An Australian Focus (5th edn), McGraw Hill, New York.
Krebs, 2009, Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance (6th Edn), Harper Collins, NY.
Krebs, C.J. 2008. The Ecological World View. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Miller, GT, Spoolman, S. 2015, Essentials of Ecology (7th edn.) Brooks/Cole-Thompson Learning,
Pittock, B. 2009 (2nd edn.) Climate Change: The Science, Impacts and Solutions, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, VIC.
KEY DATES FOR THIS TRIMESTER
Trimester begins (classes begin)
Monday 6 March 2023
Census date
Friday 31 March 2023
Intra-trimester break (a short break during trimester)
Friday 7 April - Sunday 16 April 2023
Trimester ends (classes cease)
Friday 26 May 2023
Study period (End of Unit Assessment/Examination preparation period) Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June 2023
End of Unit Assessment Period/Examinations begin
Monday 5 June 2023
End of Unit Assessment Period/Examinations end
Friday 16 June 2023
Inter-trimester break (the period between trimesters)
Monday 19 June - Friday 7 July 2023
Unit results released
Thursday 6 July 2023 (10.30am)
UNIT WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Week Commencing Topic
Special learning
activities
1
6 March 2023 An Introduction to science and science systems
2#
13 March
Understanding Environmental Science and
Sustainability
3
20 March
Climate Change
4
27 March
Non-renewable Energy
Workshop 2
5^
3 April
Renewable-Sustainable Energy
Module 1 Revision
seminar
6
17 April
Ecosystems
Workshop 3
7*
24 April
Biogeochemical cycles
Community Ecology 1
8
1 May
Community Ecology 2 &3
Workshop 4
9
8 May
Community Ecology 4
Population Ecology 1
Workshop 5
10
15 May
Population Ecology 2 & 3
11
22 May
Population Ecology 4
Assessment activity
Workshop 1
AT1 Group Poster
Presentations in
scheduled workshop
time
AT2 online test Module
1
AT3 written report
Module 2 revision
seminar
#Victorian Labour Day public holiday: Monday 13 March 2023 - University open
^ Easter vacation/Intra-trimester break: Friday 7 April - Sunday 16 April 2023 (between weeks 5 and 6)
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Deakin University, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
SLE103 Ecology and the Environment - Trimester 1, 2023
* ANZAC Day public holiday: Tuesday 25 April 2023 - University closed
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