Biogeography & Geomorphology (GEOS2103)

Course overview

This course examines the physical processes and linkages operating within the biosphere (biogeography) and lithosphere (geomorphology), with a particular focus on to role that temporal and spatial scales impact environmental processes. This course is also a foundation for advanced courses in environmental processes and management and has an emphasis on the environments of Moreton Bay and the Giant Sand Masses of South East Queensland.

The purpose of the course is:

i. to introduce students to concepts, patterns and processes in geomorphology and biogeography; and

ii. develop skills of research, analysis and argument in the subject matter of the disciplines.

To achieve this purpose there will be lectures and practical sessions. Students will also participate in a field trip to a coastal site in South East Queensland.

Course requirements

Assumed background

1. Three semesters of undergraduate study;
2. A logical precursor to this course is GEOS1100 'Environmental Systems' and/or ERTH1000 Earth: The Big Picture

Recommended prerequisites

We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:

GEOS1100 OR ERTH1000

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

GEOS7103 (co-taught)

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

Lectures, pracs and the field trip

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

There will be a one day trip to investigate a coastal site for evidence of natural and human induced changes in geomorphology and biogeography of the Moreton Bay coastline,ﾠwhich will form the basis for a report.ﾠThe cost for the fieldtrip will be confirmed during the early part of the semster that will include payment details.

If you are not able to come on the trip there will be a virtual field trip available instead.

If you are studying this course in an external mode there will be a zoom session to support practicals.

Aims and outcomes

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Literature review

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

30%

Due date

23/08/2024 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted before the due date 3pm 23 August

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.

Extension requests subject to approval.

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.

Weekly prac activity

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

30%

Due date

30/08/2024 - 7/10/2024

The prac is due to be submitted at the end of each week (3pm) from Week 6 to Week 11.

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submitted at the end of each week (3pm) from Week 6 to Week 11.

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.

Extension requests subject to approval.

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.

Final Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

25/10/2024 3:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Completed assignments must be submitted as an electronic copy through Turnitin in Blackboard. Assignments submitted after the deadline will be penalised.

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.

Extension requests subject to approval.

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.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions

Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.

Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.

Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)

For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Turnitin

By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”

All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.

In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

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.

Additional learning resources information

No set text; additional readings will be provided during the semester.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.