Course coordinator
Dr Annabel Smith
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
In depth knowledge and practical skills required to understand how human activity and/or natural climatic variability has shaped the vegetated landscapes of the planet, particular links to fire and management.
This course will examine how human activity and/or natural climatic variability has shaped the vegetated landscapes of the planet, particular links to fire and management. Themes in the course will include: fire ecology; palaeoecology; the relative role people and natural climatic variability played in ecosystem change and the importance of fire in these alterations; and impacts of future environmental change on vegetated landscapes and fire management. Case studies will be used to illustrate these topics from a variety of Australian and international contexts. The course also includes themes covering the strategy, planning and on the ground execution of prescribed burning and controlling wildfire, with practical exercises to gain experience in the ecological and technical aspects related to fire ecology and palaeoecology.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Current enrolment in a bachelor's degree and/or professional experience in the course area.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM2512, ENVM2511, ENVM7530 (co-taught).
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Annabel Smith
Dr Philip Stewart
Dr Jennifer Cooling
Tutor
Dr Jennifer Cooling
Ms Susie Fifoot
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
An optional field trip will be held on 27th August 2025, which students may choose to attend at no additional cost. Further details to be provided later in the semester.
Students who are unable to attend this field trip will be provided with a desktop study to assist them with completing their assessments.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to enable you to gain knowledge in the concepts and currentﾠissues in palaeoecology and fire ecology through an understanding of key processes, methods and techniques in these discliplines. A key link will be made to the importance of these topics in natural resource management and conservation. Case studies drawn from across the planet will be used to illustrate key concepts.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Take account of current debates in palaeoecology through understanding and reflection on the content of lectures, practicals and required readings.
LO2.
Develop skills of research, analysis and argument in the areas of palaeoecology.
LO3.
Describe key concepts in fire ecology, through understanding and reflection on the content of lectures, practicals and required readings.
LO4.
Develop skills of research, analysis and argument in the areas of fire ecology.
LO5.
Describe how key concepts in palaeoecology and fire ecology are crucial for effective natural resource management and conservation.
LO6.
Describe how fire can impact Australian landscapes and key issues that need to be taken into account for planned burns.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Exercises
|
40% |
1) Practical Workbook - 31/07/2025 12:00 pm 2) Practical Workbook - 4/09/2025 12:00 pm 3) Practical Workbook - 18/09/2025 12:00 pm 4) Practical Workbook - 9/10/2025 12:00 pm |
| Poster | Fire Management Poster | 30% |
19/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection | Online Fire Knowledge Assessment | 30% |
30/10/2025 4:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Practical Exercises
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
1) Practical Workbook - 31/07/2025 12:00 pm
2) Practical Workbook - 4/09/2025 12:00 pm
3) Practical Workbook - 18/09/2025 12:00 pm
4) Practical Workbook - 9/10/2025 12:00 pm
Task description
There will be four practical assessments based on engaging, hands-on in-class exercises that demonstrate core concepts of this course. Students will complete their practical workbook during the session and must submit their completed workbook at the end of each session.
Students must participate in their timetabled session to complete these assessments. If a student is unable to attend (for any of the acceptable reasons as per UQ Policy) they must apply for an extension.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Practical assessment workbooks must be submitted at the end of each class for grading.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The practical excercises for ENVM3215 / ENVM7530 are sequential and build on existing knowledge throughout the course.A maximum extension to 7 days applies for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Fire Management Poster
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
19/09/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
Using the information and data provided in class, students will develop a poster outlining a fire management plan that will address key conservation and hazard minimisation goals that are relevant to SE Queensland. The poster will be based on a desktop study or, for students attending the optional field trip, information related to the field trip.
The poster will be graded based on a criteria posted on Blackboard.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Completed assignments must be submitted as an electronic copy in Blackboard by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Online Fire Knowledge Assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
30/10/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
Students will complete an Online Fire Knowledge Assessment, made available through Blackboard. It will cover key aspects of the course based on the lecture material.
You will be advised via Blackboard when the assessment will be made available. You can complete it at any time within this period by the set due date and time; however, once started, you will have two hours in total to complete it.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Completed assignments must be submitted through the link accessible on Blackboard by the due date and time. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Instructions will be posted well in advance of the date.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (the assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.
For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdle
In order to pass this course, students must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):
- You must obtain 50% or more in the Practical Exercises component.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to the UQ website for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lectures Lectures on fire ecology and palaeoecology. |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 10 |
Practical |
Practicals Practical activities on fire ecology and palaeoecology. |
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 8 |
Case-based learning |
Poster |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Fieldwork |
Optional Field Trip |
Multiple weeks From Week 12 To Week 13 |
Problem-based learning |
Online Assessment |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.