Overview
This unit surveys the major patterns of Australian landscapes and the processes which have produced them. Topics include the geology, climates, landforms, soils and ecology of Australia.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from CQU Moodle Refresh
Reading Guide & Lecture Note
Student's overall satisfaction rate of this unit was consistently high during the past 3 years. The weekly reading guides and lecture notes will be reorganised and refreshed in accordance with requirements of the Moodle Refresh.
Feedback from CQU Moodle Refresh
Weekly study plan & Learning activities
Weekly study plan and learning activities will be added to enhance student's learning.
- explain fundamental processes responsible for the development of Australian climates, landforms, soils and biogeography
- describe major patterns of climates, landforms, soils and biogeography in Australia.
Important skills objectives include the development of abilities to:
- find particular information when required that is contained in your online material, textbook or other study resources
- demonstrate information literacy skills concerning the use of the CQU Library online catalogue and the development of search strategies for research paper topics
- research and analyse information relating to the physical geography of Australia
- write annotated bibliographies and research papers.
In a broader educational context, it is worth noting that the design of this unit is intended to assist students to develop independent life-long learning skills, and in particular the ability to successfully cope with online learning environments, such as is presented in this unit.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | ||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||
| 5 - Team Work | ||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
The Australian Physical Environment
Edition: 1st (2008)
Authors: Bridgman, H., Dragovitch, D., Dodson, J.
Oxford University Press Australia
South Melbourne South Melbourne , VIC , Australia
ISBN: 13-978-0-19-554109-0
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
This book is a good resource for students to learn the physical geography of Australia. However, the purchase of the book is recommended, but not mandatory.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Micorsoft Office
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.wu@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Structure of the Earth and Plate Tectonics
Chapter
Ch.1: Australia in the Physical World (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.2: The Earth in Space and Time (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.8: The Development of the Landscape (only pp. 163-171) (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Note: There are 5 online quizzes. All the quizzes are available from the first day of the term; but each quiz will be due in different weeks during the term. Please mark the due dates in your calendar.
Module/Topic
Geological Evolution of Australia
Chapter
Ch.2: Tectonic Setting of Australia (Saygin, 2007)
Ch.12: Earth’s Internal Structure, Rock Cycle, and Geologic Time (Arbogast, 2017)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global Climatic Processes
Chapter
Ch.3: The Global Energy System (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.4: Atmospheric Circulation (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Australian Climates
Chapter
Ch.5: Hydrologic Systems and Atmospheric Processes (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.6: Ocean Atmosphere Interactions (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.7: Climatic Environments (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Geomorphology: Principles & Patterns
Chapter
Ch.8: The Development of the Landscape (pp. 171-187) (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.9: Landscapes, Sediments and Soil Development (pp. 188-197) (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.10: Water in the Landscape (pp.215-241) (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Geomorphology: Regional Patterns
Chapter
Ch.11: Aeolian Landforms (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.12: Coastal Landforms (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1 due
Module/Topic
Soil Forming Processes
Chapter
Ch.9: 'Soils' section (pp. 198-214) (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.12: The evolution of Australian soil (McKenzie et al., 2004)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Soil Classification & Regional Patterns
Chapter
Ch.7: Groundwater—lifeblood of the continent (Brodie et al., 2016)
Events and Submissions/Topic
quiz 2 due
Module/Topic
Ecosystems
Chapter
Ch.13: Historical Biogeography (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
quiz 3 due
Module/Topic
Biomes
Chapter
Ch.14: Ecological Biogeography (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Events and Submissions/Topic
quiz 4 due
Module/Topic
Australian Flora
Chapter
Ch.15: Communities and Ecosystems (Bridgman et al., 2008)
Ch.9: Vegetation’ (Carnahan, 1977)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Australian Fauna
Chapter
Ch.4: The Ecosystems (Heathcote, 1994)
Ch.2: Biogeography of Australian Flora and Fauna (Smith, 1986)
Events and Submissions/Topic
quiz 5 due
Written Assessment 2 Term paper Due: Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:30 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical and Written Assessment
Students are required to select a region in Australia to study for both the written assessments in this unit. This assessment is to locate some useful sources and create a proposal for the second assessment – the term research paper. Therefore, you should read the second assessment task before you commence your work on this assignment.
This assessment includes two separate but interrelated parts.
The first part is to write a short research proposal. The proposal should clearly define the region that you are choosing for the study. This include a working title for the term research paper and clearly explain what Australia's region you will study. In the proposal, you should also provide an overview of the literatures about the physical geography of the choosing region and a research plan for completing the term paper.
The proposal should be 800–1,000 words in length (excluding references in the word count). Detailed instructions including examples of such a proposal will be provided in the moodle site.
The second part of this assessment is an annotated bibliography. This task is to find and evaluate 10 information sources (books, book chapters, journal articles, etc.) that you have read in relation to your study area. The bibliography should include
- bibliographical information (the citation) of each of the ten sources
- explanatory paragraphs (the annotation) of each of the sources
The citation of each entry must follow Harvard Referencing Style. The annotation of each source should be around 100 words in length. It should provide:
- a summary of the main arguments or ideas presented by the author;
- an evaluation of the relevancy of the information and how useful you found the source; and
- a reflection on how you will use the source in your term paper.
Detailed guides and requirements for the annotated bibliography is provided in the Moodle site of the unit.
Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Online submission
Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)
Assessments will be marked and returned in two weeks after the due date or as soon as practicable
Your work will be assessed based on
- The quality of research proposal
- The annotations and literature evaluations
- The quality of written communication
Detailed marking criteria is provided in the unit's Moodle site.
- describe major patterns of climates, landforms, soils and biogeography in Australia.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
Following the research proposal of the assessment 1, this assessment task is to complete the term research paper. In the paper, you need to describe patterns and interpret the processes of the five elements of the physical geography of the choosing region. These are:
- geology
- climate
- landforms
- soils
- biogeography
Detailed instructions, requirements and resources for completing this assessment are provided in the unit's Moodle site. These include guides for a term research paper and a ‘model paper’ illustrating the style for the paper in general.
Your paper should be 2,500--3,000 words in length. (The word count is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page, abstract, contents page, reference page and appendices. It includes in-text references and direct quotations).
Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:30 pm AEST
Online submission
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
The assessment will be marked and returned in two weeks through the Moodle site.
This assessment piece will be marked based on the overall quality and quantity of the research and research communications. Detailed marking criteria is provided in the unit's Moodle site.
- explain fundamental processes responsible for the development of Australian climates, landforms, soils and biogeography
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment contains 5 online quizzes. Each quiz consists of 10 multiple-choice questions. Students will select the most appropriate answer for each question from the given options to complete the quiz.
More details about the quizzes and how to complete them are provided in the unit's Moodle site.
5
Other
By 11.45pm on Sunday of the due week.
The online quizzes will be marked automatically following submission
The question will be marked 'correct' if you chose the right answer. Scores are based on the number of correct answer only. There are no marks deducted for incorrect responses.
- explain fundamental processes responsible for the development of Australian climates, landforms, soils and biogeography
- describe major patterns of climates, landforms, soils and biogeography in Australia.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
