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 - 2023
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 Student feedback (Q5)
Volume of readings
Reduce the required reading of some weekly topics, where relevant and practicable.
Feedback from Student feedback (Q5) and self assessment
Online quiz
Refresh and update the online quiz questions to assess students' knowledge of the required readings.
- 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
Textbooks can be accessed online at the CQUniversity Library website. Access may be limited. If you would prefer your own copy, purchase either paper or eBook versions at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
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 (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical and Written Assessment
For this assessment, you need to write a research proposal and an annotated bibliography.
In the research proposal, you need to:
- Choose a region in Australia to study
- Provide a brief review of the literatures about the physical geography of the chosen region
- Present a research plan for completing the term paper
The research proposal should be 800-1000 words in length, excluding references.
In the annotated bibliography, you need to:
- Identify and evaluate 10 information sources (books, book chapters, journal articles, etc.)
- Provide bibliographical information (citation) of each source following the Harvard Referencing Style
- Write explanatory paragraphs (annotations) for each source, which should be around 100 words in length. It should include:
- A summary of the main arguments or ideas
- An evaluation of the relevancy and usefulness of the information
- A reflection on how you will use the source in writing your term paper
It is important to accurately cite your sources and provide a clear and concise summary and evaluation of the information they contain in relation to your research. The detailed requirements for the annotated bibliography will be provided in the Moodle site of the unit.
Please note: You will study the chosen region for both written assessments. So, you should read both assessment tasks before you commence this assignment.
Week 7 Friday (28 Apr 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Online submission
Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023)
Assessments will be marked and returned in two weeks after the due date or as soon as practicable
Your work will be evaluated based on:
- The quality of your research proposal, including the definition of the region you have chosen to study, the review of the literature about the physical geography of the region, and your research plan.
- The quality of your references, annotations and literature evaluations, including the accuracy and clarity of your citations, the summary of the main arguments and ideas, the evaluation of relevancy and usefulness, and the reflection on how you will use the source in your term paper.
- The quality of your written communication, including grammar, spelling, and coherence of your writing.
The detailed marking criteria for this assessment will be provided in the Moodle site of the unit, so be sure to review it carefully before submitting your work.
- 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
In this assessment task, you are asked to complete a term research paper based on the research proposal submitted in assessment 1. In the term paper, you should describe patterns and interpret the processes of the 5 elements of the physical geography of the chosen region, which are:
a) geology
b) climate
c) landforms
d) soils
e) biogeography
You should use the information sources (books, book chapters, journal articles, etc.) that you have identified in the annotated bibliography of the assessment 1 to support your analysis and interpretations.
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).
It is important to follow the guidelines and requirements for writing and referencing as provided in the Moodle site of the unit.
Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 11:45 pm AEST
Online submission
Exam Week Friday (16 June 2023)
The assessment will be marked and returned in two weeks through the Moodle site.
This assessment will be marked based on the overall quality and quantity of your research, analysis, interpretation, written communication, and use of information sources. 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 after submission
The question will be marked 'correct' if the right answer is chosen. Scores are based on the number of correct answer only. There are no penalties for incorrect answers. It is important to read the questions carefully and to choose the answer that you believe is most accurate based on your understanding of the material.
- 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?
