Value: 10
Campus: Callaghan

Examines the basis for environmental law in Australia and concentrates on the current NSW environmental planning and pollution control system. The emphasis is to understand the system which regulates and controls development and the types of environmental assessments required. The coursde also examines the various environmental studies required for different developments and introduces environmental impact assessment, the systematic process to achieve a greater understanding of the environmental consequences of proposals. A number of case studies are also examined in this subject to illustrate the requirements of the various types of environmental assessment in a way that simulates the role of the professional practitioner.

Value: 10
Campus: Callaghan

Water is the most important agent in shaping the landscape. It is responsible for weathering, soil formation, the erosion of sediment from hillslopes, gullies and river banks, and the transport and deposition of sediment in channels, on floodplains and in estuaries. Water also acts beneath the surface, replenishing groundwater systems and triggering environmental problems like soil salinity. This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the movement of water through river basins, and the role water plays in the development of soils and the flux of sediments through the landscape. Through a series of lectures, laboratories and field work, students will learn how to quantify the movement of water through various components of the hydrological cycle, and the major factors controlling the way in which water moulds the river basin landscape.

Value: 10
Pre-requisite: check with the university first
Campus: Callaghan

Fuels are currently the mainstay of our energy industry. However, environmental concerns, and a desire to optimise efficiency in the energy industry mean that the fuels area is subject to great change. Geology of Fuels deals in part with formation of, exploration for, recovery and utilisation of fossil fuels, both coal and petroleum. The course deals with tectonics of coal and petroleum formation, evolution of the flora and fauna from which they form, environments of formation, maturation, marketing, utilisation and environmental aspects of energy generation. Students present a seminar on a topic of their choice related to fuels or energy, to develop an area of specialisation prior to entering the workplace, or undertaking research.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Introduces the world's oceans, which offer a wide range of environmental conditions to support marine life. Specific topics studied include the ocean environment, marine habitat types, classification and description of marine organisms, ecology of marine life and human impact on the marine environment.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Presents information on the ecology and taxonomy of flora associated with marine and coastal environments. Topics covered include both a large and small scale focus, thus incorporating the marine and coastal flora of the temperate regions of Eastern Australia, which includes the Central Coast.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Teaches experimental design and statistical methodology that is essential for Ecological and Environmental studies. Leading on from the 2nd year Biometrics, Applied Biometrics and Marine Ecological courses, this course takes the student through the current best practice techniques in Experimental Marine Ecology. Topics covered, such as the design and implementation of experiments, detection of environmental impacts, and statistical analysis of data from marine ecological experimentation, will allow the student to apply the necessary skills in the field and laboratory.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Provides an introduction to a range of marine fishes, their biology and ecology, and importance to local fisheries. Students will gain knowledge of the morphological features and physiological adaptations of the major fish groups, their behaviour, early life history, population dynamics, habitat utilisation, and trophic relationships. The course will introduce students to techniques used in fisheries science and will examine human impacts on, and management of, Australian marine fish populations. Students will also acquire an understanding of the present and future needs of, and prerequisites for, fish aquaculture. The theory component of this course will be delivered on-line and practical classes and tutorials will be delivered over 6 days during the mid-semester break.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Australia's biodiversity is globally unique but threatened by unsustainable human uses. This course provides students with a full understanding of the significance of biodiversity in planning and managing sustainable systems and processes.

Students will learn how to: describe the major components of biodiversity; conduct inventories of local biotas using standard techniques; understand the complex processes threatening biodiversity; develop first-level strategies for managing processes which threaten biodiversity; apply a range of biodiversity assessment techniques; ensure that biodiversity conservation is an integral part of any program of sustainable natural resource management.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Planning for resource usage at different scales is one of the foundations for sustainability. Building on the technical content of first and second year subjects in the Sustainable Resource Management program, this subject will develop theory and skills of planning for sustainability applicable across a range of resource-use contexts.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah and Callaghan

This course explores the range and complexity of plant ecosystems and communities, focussing in particular on Australia’s flora in terms of their morphology and taxonomy. A number of prominent local plant families and vegetation communities will be examined in detail. The ecology, threats and management associated with these vegetation communities will be discussed. The course will focus on local or regional case studies and examples, as far as possible.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Provides an examination of the key elements and complex processes (physical, biogeochemical and biological) that shape and influence estuarine ecology. The course will explore the highly dynamic nature of estuaries through study of a wide variety of estuarine systems, including coastal lagoons, coastal embayments and river estuaries. Students will examine the effects of catchment development on nutrient and sediment loads and the consequences for biological production and biodiversity. The course will also address issues of estuarine functioning, appropriate estuarine monitoring programs and the use of key indicators as a measure of estuarine health.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

The sustainable management of water requires a holistic understanding of the factors that impact on water quality, aquatic habitats and the conflict between water allocation for human use and the environment. In this course, students will examine the ways in which water quality and water allocation can be managed on a sustainable basis. The course will focus on local and regional case studies and examples, as far as possible.

Value: 10
Campus: Ourimbah

Enables students to be proficient facilitators for sustainable resource management. Students will learn how to develop extension programs, run meetings, plan small group activities, and facilitate environmental education workshops at the local community level. Also covers conflict resolution and avoidance, how to work in conflict situations involving the use of natural resources, community consultation, participatory decision making and negotitation skills in community settings.