2010 Short Course (Block Mode) subjects

January

Jan 28 – Feb 5 EV 5208 – World Heritage and National Estate Processes (Townsville)

The concepts of World Heritage and other internationally recognised protected areas (including Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites); international conventions in conservation; process of nomination and inscription; evaluation; regional reviews of World Heritage sites; identification of critical management issues; sources of information for World Heritage, including electronic access; the Australian register of the National Estate; nomination and evaluation processes; legislative issues and management implications. (2 days field work)

February

Feb 7-12 EV3601/5601 – Social Impact Assessment: Environmental Management (Townsville)

Develop an awareness and understanding of the theoretical and practical processes of Social Impact Assessment. The history and development of Social Impact Assessment is presented along side practical learning of the processess. An intergral component of the planning degree program. (no field component)

April

April 18-25 EA3800/5090 - Earth and Environmental Geochemistry (Cairns, Townsville)

EA3800 introduces students from a variety of science and environmental studies backgrounds to chemistry principles, and uses these principles to gain a better understanding of surface and deep Earth processes. Specific topics include elemental distribution in the cosmos, on the Earth, in rocks, minerals and the surface environment; aqueous geochemistry and mineral stability; chemical weathering; biogeochemical principles and applications in the earth sciences; isotopic and elemental ratios as tracers of natural and anthropogenic processes; radiometric dating; exploration geochemistry; pollution processes and issues. Each topic is reinforced by case studies from the science literature. (no field component)

April 19-23 EV3252/5252 – Indigenous Environmental Management (Cairns)

This subject explores Indigenous peoples roles in tropical environments in both Australia and across the world. Students obtain an introduction to core issues and concepts through lectures, workshops, seminars and reading material that reflects and accesses Indigenous perspectives on environmental management issues. They will also participate in a field experience with Indigenous environmental management organisations, traditional owners and other Indigenous Australians. Students are subsequently guided towards resources to enable them to synthesise their new understandings and complete the assessment requirements. (no field component)

June

June 21 – June 27 EA3007/5018 Field Studies in Tropical Water and Soil Science (Cairns)

This is a field-based one-week intensive course that provides a practical introduction to hydrological, water quality, regolith and soil issues of the tropics. Our laboratory is Far North Queensland, with all its geologically and climatically diverse landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef catchments. We study the natural processes and human impacts on the amount and quality of water flowing through rivers and aquifers. Topics include landscape water balance, hydrological monitoring and modelling, aquifer properties, transport and transformations of nutrients and contaminants, water quality assessment in the field and laboratory, soil erosion and degradation, dryland and irrigation salinity and water regulation. (56 hours fieldwork)

June 21-July 2 EV3010/5010/9010 Planning for Sustainable Communities in a Changing Environment (Cairns)

The subject seeks to provide students with advanced capacities to understand the challenges that face planning for sustainable regions and settlements. It explores a number of key problems for settlements: sustainable management of marine and terrestrial resources, water use and allocation, regional sustainability, resilient communities, implications of climate change, carbon economy, food miles and the food supply, nature conservation and development. Case studies deal with a range of examples from land and sea environments of north Queensland.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details. (8 days fieldwork)

June 29-July 5 EV2900/5330 Introductory Field Geology (Cairns, Townsville)

An introduction to the techniques of field geology inclusive of outcrop observation and analysis, the assessment of rock relationships, traversing techniques and stratigraphic analysis based on section logging. An introduction to the preparation and interpretation of geological maps using basic surveying map controls and aerial photographs; the interpretation of rock relationships and the construction of cross-sections; the assessment of stratigraphic and structural aspects of geological histories based on geological mapping.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details. (56 hours fieldwork)

June 29-July 25 EV2900/5330/EA9002 Geology Field Training (Townsville)

Detailed mapping of a selected area in the Mount Isa Inlier, interpretation and synthesis of field data (sedimentary, structural, metamorphic, igneous, economic), plotting maps and cross sections, geological report writing.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details. (160 hours fieldwork)

July

July 5 – July 12 EV3404/5404 - Field Studies in Tropical Geography (Cairns, Townsville)

Field Studies in Tropical Geography is an intensive mode subject that teaches and develops the field skills needed by students of geography and cognate disciplines. The subject is taught in intensive mode in remote areas chosen to take advantage of current staff research activities and interests. Accordingly, destinations change from time to time. Field Studies in Tropical Geography provides a regional perspective on the geography of northern Australia with emphasis on interaction between natural and cultural environments. It addresses: landuse, landuse change and resource management in northern Australia; geomorphology of northern Australia and adjoining land and sea; conservation and biogeography of northern Australia and adjoining land; environmental history in northern Australia and adjoining land and sea; and environmental aspects of indigenous cultures of northern Australia.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details. (7 days fieldwork)

July 8 – July 25 EA3510/5044- EA3511/5045 - Geological Mapping / Advanced Geological Mapping (Townsville)

Detailed mapping of a selected area in the Mount Isa Inlier, interpretation and synthesis of field data (sedimentary, structural, metamorphic, igneous, economic), plotting maps and cross sections, geological report writing.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the School for details. (64 hours fieldwork)

July 14–July 22 EV5210 – Management of Marine Protected Areas (Townsville)

Characteristics of tropical marine environments,their uses for humans and threats to ecosystem integrity. Types of marine protected areas and options for management of human uses and values. Application of management tools including zoning plans, enforcement and education. Cross-cultural and community involvement in decision making. Practical application of natural resource management concepts such as ecologically sustainable development amd biodiversity protectioin. Evaluation and review of management effectiveness; limitations to mananagement. Assessment of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and comparison with case studies from other parts of Australia and selected countries in the tropics. (1 day field work)

September

Sept 25 – Sept 30 EA3005/5340 – Minesite Rehabilitation (Townsville)

Mining in Australia and its environmental challenges. Environmental degradation caused by historic mining activities and byregulated and unregulated mining practices. Environmental impacts on soils, sediments, water and air. Acid mine drainage. Minesite drainage and its evaluation, modelling, control and remediation. Mineralogy and geochemistry of waste rock dumps and the management of waste rock dumps using solid and wet covers. Tailings disposal and tailings dam failues. Cyanide and gold mining. Open pit hydrology and hydrogeochemistry. Radioactivity and environmental pollution at uranium mines. Environmental management in the industrial minerals industry. Contaminated land assessment. (10 hours field work)

November

Nov 20 - Nov 25 EV5603 Planning Legislation and Professional Practice (Townsville)

This subject covers the evolution of current legislation in Queensland and other relevant regulatory frameworks. It provides a basis for understanding the development process, including planning schemes, environmental impact assessment, subdivisional development, appeals and the jurisdiction of the Planning and Environment Court. (no field component)

December

Nov 30 – December 13 EV3502/5502 Advanced Geographic Information Systems (Townsville)

This subject introduces participants to more advanced forms of spatial analysis, in both theory and practice. Topics to be covered include: raster modelling; spatial interpolation and terrain modellng; landscape ecology applications; spatial statistics; data quality and error analysis; GPS mapping; Web GIS design and development. (no field component)