Course Learning Outcomes and Minimum Standards
Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) AQF Level 7
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
1. Disciplinespecific
knowledge and
capabilities:
appropriate to
the level of study
related to a
discipline or
profession.
AQF Bachelor Degree Descriptor*
Graduates of a Bachelor Degree will
have:
Knowledge : A broad and coherent
body of knowledge, with depth in the
underlying principles and concepts in
one or more disciplines as a basis for
independent lifelong learning.
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AQF Level 7 (Bachelor Degree)
Criteria*
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Application of knowledge and skills :
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 with initiative and judgement in
planning, problem solving and
decision making in professional
practice and/or scholarship
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 to adapt knowledge and skills in
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Application of knowledge and skills : Apply
knowledge (and skills) to demonstrate
autonomy, well-developed judgement and
responsibility:
 within broad parameters to provide
specialist advice and functions.
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diverse contexts
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
CLO1.1 Appreciate the structural make
up of coastal and marine environments,
their physical and chemical
characteristics and interaction to
recognise how organisms live and exist
in dynamic environments.
MS1.1 Demonstrate broad and welldeveloped knowledge of coastal and
marine environments and biology, the
nature, characteristics and properties,
to describe various forms of organisms,
how they live and how their habitats
work, and to discuss the role of science
and the environment in relation to
impact of human activity on
environmental sustainability.
(e.g. professional association)
Knowledge : Broad and coherent
1. Demonstrate a coherent
theoretical and technical knowledge with
understanding of science by:
depth in one or more disciplines or areas of 1.1 articulating the methods of science
practice.
and explaining why current scientific
Skills : Well developed cognitive, technical knowledge is both contestable and
testable by further inquiry
(and communication) skills to select and
apply methods and technologies to:
1.2 explaining the role and relevance of
 analyse and evaluate information to
science in society.
complete a range of activities.
2. Exhibit depth and breadth of
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Skills : Cognitive and technical skills to
demonstrate a broad understanding of
knowledge with depth in some areas.
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Discipline/Professional Standards
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scientific knowledge by:
2.1 demonstrating well-developed
knowledge in at least one disciplinary
area
2.2 demonstrating knowledge in at
least one other disciplinary area.
CLO1.2 Articulate the form and
functions of organisms and how they
manage environmental challenges of
surviving in diverse environments.
CLO1.3 Assess habitats and organisms
and recognise sustainability issues and
concerns to manage and conserve
animals and plants within marine
environments and to evaluate its
sustanaibility.
MS1.2 Consistently and autonomously
select and apply technical knowledge
and skills to determine acceptable
scientific methods of inquiry for
observation, experimentation and
inference of scientific data to explain
how organisms manage environmental
challenges in diverse environments.
MS1.3 Integrate and apply evidencebased knowledge, within diverse
contexts, collect and analyse scientific
and environmental data, to evaluate
and investigate sustainability issues,
and to interpret and present logical
arguments and results taking into
account multiple perspectives including
ethical, social and political factors in
order to manage and conserve marine
environments.
*
The text in the 2nd and 3rd columns is taken directly from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Second Edition January 2013 (www.aqf.edu.au). In relation to each of the Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLO), the full text from the AQF is reproduced. However, some concepts from the AQF
specifications may not apply to a particular Graduate Learning Outcome – in these cases, they have placed in parentheses.
Deakin: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) AQF Level 7
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Bachelor Degree Descriptor*
2. Communication:
using oral,
written and
interpersonal
communication
to inform,
motivate and
effect change. #
Skills: Communication skills to present
a clear, coherent and independent
exposition of knowledge and ideas.
Graduates of a Bachelor Degree will
have:
Application of knowledge and skills:
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 to adapt knowledge and skills in
diverse contexts
AQF Level 7 (Bachelor Degree)
Criteria*
Discipline/Professional Standards
Skills: Well developed (cognitive, technical
and) communication skills to select and
apply methods and technologies to:
 (analyse, generate and) transmit
solutions to unpredictable and
sometimes complex problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to
others.
4. Be effective communicators of
science by:
4.1 communicating scientific results,
information, or arguments, to a range
of audiences, for a range of purposes,
and using a variety of modes.
Application of knowledge and skills: Apply
knowledge and skills to demonstrate
(autonomy), well-developed judgement and
responsibility:
 within broad parameters to provide
specialist advice and functions
3. Digital literacy:
using
technologies to
find, use and
disseminate
information.
Skills: (Cognitive and) technical skills to
demonstrate a broad understanding of
knowledge with depth in some areas.
Application of knowledge and skills:
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 to adapt knowledge and skills in
diverse contexts
Skills: Well developed (cognitive), technical
and communication skills to select and
apply methods and technologies to:
 analyse and evaluate information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate and transmit solutions
to unpredictable and sometimes complex
problems
 transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to
others.
Application of knowledge and skills: Apply
knowledge and skills to demonstrate
(autonomy), well-developed judgement and
responsibility:
 within broad parameters to provide
specialist advice.
Deakin: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) AQF Level 7
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
CLO2.1 Use appropriate language and
formats including written, visual, oral
and graphical forms to communicate
with a range of audience.
MS2.1 Consistently use professional
language and well-developed
interpersonal skills to elaborate on and
explain the meaning and implication of
scientific results, information, or
arguments to specialist and nonspecialist audience
(e.g. professional association)
3. Critically analyse and solve scientific
problems by:
3.3 selecting and applying practical
and/or theoretical techniques or tools
in order to conduct an investigation
3.4 collecting, accurately recording,
interpreting and drawing conclusions
from scientific data.
CLO2.2 Generate, analyse and present
key information in a professional
manner with evidence from local,
national, and international
contributions and contexts.
CLO3.1 Use well developed technical
skills and judgement to locate, analyse
and synthesise information and
responsibly disseminate information
using a variety of tools and techniques.
MS2.2 Adopt different genres and
modes of communication including
formal and informal modes to
document details of key procedures,
observations and information, and to
engage and inform peers, experts and
laypersons about the nature of science
and the environment, its implications
and impacts and the controvercies
surrounding scienctific inquiry.
MS3.1 Use web-based resources,
digital tools and technologies to find,
use, evaluate, analyse, synthesise and
disseminate evidence based scientific
and environmental information, data
and results.
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Bachelor Degree Descriptor*
4. Critical thinking:
evaluating
information
using critical and
analytical
thinking and
judgment.
Skills: Cognitive skills to review
critically, analyse, consolidate and
synthesise knowledge.
Graduates of a Bachelor Degree will
have:
AQF Level 7 (Bachelor Degree)
Criteria*
Skills: Well developed cognitive (technical
and communication) skills to select and
apply methods and technologies to:
 analyse and evaluate information to
Cognitive (and technical) skills to
complete a range of activities
demonstrate a broad understanding of
knowledge with depth in some areas.
 analyse, generate and transmit solutions
to unpredictable and sometimes complex
Cognitive and creative skills to exercise
problems.
critical thinking and judgement in
identifying and solving problems with
Application of knowledge and skills: Apply
intellectual independence.
knowledge and skills to demonstrate
autonomy, well-developed judgement and
Application of knowledge and skills:
responsibility:
Demonstrate the application of
 within broad parameters to provide
knowledge and skills:
specialist advice.
 with initiative and judgement in
Discipline/Professional Standards
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
(e.g. professional association)
3. Critically analyse and solve scientific
problems by:
CLO4.1 Locate and evaluate scientific
information from multiple sources and
3.1 gathering, synthesising and critically use scientific methods and frameworks
to structure and plan observations,
evaluating information from a range of
experimentation, fieldwork
source
investigations and to undertake
3.2 designing and planning an
environmental impact and risk
investigation
assessment.
3.3 selecting and applying practical
CLO4.2 Use critical and analytical
and/or theoretical techniques or tools thinking and judgement to analyse,
in order to conduct an investigation
synthesise and generate an integrated
knowledge, formulate hypotheses and
3.4 collecting, accurately recording,
test them against evidence-based
interpreting and drawing conclusions
scientific concepts and principles in the
from scientific data.
context of aquatic environment.
MS4.1 Collect, record and evaluate
scientific environmental information
and data from a variety of sources,
systematically and methodically
discriminate between assertion or
personal opinion, and structure, plan
and manage investigations to assess
risk and environmental impact using
information substantiated by robust
evidence.
3. Critically analyse and solve scientific
problems by:
MS5.1 Propose one or more creative
solutions that indicate a deep
comprehension of the problem, ability
to logically reason, reflect on
possibilities and judge the pros and
cons of various solutions within a given
context and thereby formulate
potential solutions.
planning, problem solving and
decision making in professional
practice and /or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in
diverse contexts.
5. Problem solving:
creating
solutions to
authentic
(real world and
ill-defined)
problems.
Skills: Cognitive and creative skills to
exercise critical thinking and judgment
in identifying and solving problems
with intellectual independence.
Application of knowledge and skills:
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 with initiative and judgement in
planning, problem solving and
decision making in professional
practice and /or scholarship
 to adapt knowledge and skills in
diverse contexts.
Skills: Well developed cognitive, technical
(and communication) skills to select and
apply methods and technologies to:
 analyse and evaluate information to
complete a range of activities
 analyse, generate (and transmit)
solutions to unpredictable and
sometimes complex problems.
Application of knowledge and skills: Apply
knowledge and skills to demonstrate
autonomy, well-developed judgement and
responsibility:
 within broad parameters to provide
specialist advice.
Deakin: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) AQF Level 7
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
CLO5.1 Identify possible causes, effects
and underlying environmental
3.1 gathering, synthesising and critically problems, brainstorm potential
solutions, and develop criteria for
evaluating information from a range of
evaluating those solutions.
source
3.2 designing and planning an
investigation
3.3 selecting and applying practical
and/or theoretical techniques or tools
in order to conduct an investigation
3.4 collecting, accurately recording,
interpreting and drawing conclusions
from scientific data.
CLO5.2 Priovide specialist advice to
solve environmental problems by
designing and planning investigstions
and using scientific tools and
techniques to apply systems and
management perspectives to formulate
future sustainability and conservation
solutions to problems.
MS4.2 Reveal insightful patterns,
differences or similaries by interpreting
and evaluating complex view points by
asking rigorous questions to formulate
hypotheses and test them against
scientific facts, laws, principles and
evidence.
MS5.2 Provide detailed and insightful
scientific explanation and guidance to
implement solutions in a manner that
addresses multiple contextual factors
and facets of the problem, and future
environmental sustainability and
conservation of the marine system.
Deakin Graduate Learning
Outcomes
AQF Bachelor Degree Descriptor*
6. Selfmanagement:
working and
learning
independently,
and taking
responsibility for
personal actions.
7. Teamwork:
working and
learning with
others from
different
disciplines and
backgrounds.
8. Global
citizenship:
engaging
ethically and
productively in
the professional
context and with
diverse
communities and
cultures in a
global context
AQF Level 7 (Bachelor Degree)
Criteria*
Discipline/Professional Standards
Application of knowledge and skills:
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 with initiative and judgement in
planning, problem-solving and
decision making in professional
practice and/or scholarship
 with responsibility and
accountability for own learning and
professional practice (and in
collaboration with others) within
broad parameters.
Application of knowledge and skills: Apply
knowledge and skills to demonstrate
autonomy, well developed judgement and
responsibility:
 in contexts that require self-directed
learning
 within broad parameters to provide
specialised advice and functions.
5. Be accountable for their own
learning and scientific work by:
Application of knowledge and skills:
Demonstrate the application of
knowledge and skills:
 with responsibility and
accountability for own learning and
professional practice and in
collaboration with others within
broad parameters.
The AQF makes no specific reference to
criteria/standards associated with
teamwork.
Graduates of a Bachelor Degree will
have:
Application of knowledge and skills:
The AQF makes no specific reference to
Demonstrate the application of
criteria/standards associated with global
knowledge and skills:
citizenship.
 to adapt knowledge and skills in
diverse contexts
 with responsibility and
accountability for own learning and
professional practice and in
collaboration with others within
broad parameters.(Note: this second
dot point from the AQF descriptor
does not relate specifically and
directly to global citizenship;
however may be indirectly related to
ethical engagement within a
professional context and/or within
diverse communities and cultures by
way of its link to responsibility.)
Deakin: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology) AQF Level 7
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
(e.g. professional association)
Minimum Standards
(relating to CLOs)
CLO6.1 Work independently and
responsibly with intiative and
judgement to function safely and
5.1 being independent and selfprofessionally in a manner that
directed learners
assimilates feedback and incorporates
5.2 working effectively, responsibly and refection for future learning and ethical
safely in an individual or team context practice.
5.3 demonstrating knowledge of the
regulatory frameworks relevant to their
disciplinary area and personally
practising ethical conduct.
MS6.1 Consistently consider the
scientific context, background
information, ethical consideration and
intellectual property issues to
demonstrate a framework of
accountability, honesty and
responsibility for own scientific
learning.
5. Be accountable for their own
learning and scientific work by:
MS7.1 Respect opinions, value
contribution made by others,
proactively assist, lead, contribute to
ideas when working collaboratively as a
team to critically analyse, problem
solve, develop plans in a manner that
resolves conflicts and germinates ideas
for generating sustainable processes
and solutions that manage and
conserve the environment.
CLO7.1 Collaboratively work with
others in order to critically analyse,
problem solve, develop and manage
5.1 being independent and selfplans for generating sustainable
directed learners
processes and solutions to manage and
5.2 working effectively, responsibly and conserve the environment.
safely in an individual or team context
5.3 demonstrating knowledge of the
regulatory frameworks relevant to their
disciplinary area and personally
practising ethical conduct.
5. Be accountable for their own
learning and scientific work by:
CLO8.1 Adopt and value
multidisciplinary knowledge and
perspectives for evaluating, integrating
5.1 being independent and selfand incorporating strategies and
directed learners
solutions in scoping, planning and
5.2 working effectively, responsibly and managing alternative sustainable
safely in an individual or team context solutions from local to global
environmental problems.
5.3 demonstrating knowledge of the
regulatory frameworks relevant to their
disciplinary area and personally
practising ethical conduct.
MS6.1a Practice safety policies,
compliance procedures and follow
regulations when investigating,
experimenting or conducting fieldwork
and present data and evidence
collected with accuracy and rigour in a
timely manner, while acknowledging
the contributions made by others.
MS8.1 Demonstrate ethical,
professional, social and cultural
awareness and apply a framework of
accountability, honesty and
responsibility that indicates
professionalism, objectivity and an
unbiased position when working with
others, including members of the
society to scope, plan and manage local
through to global environmental
problems.