Course Title: Environmental Sustainability Project International

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Sustainability Project International

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Graeme Allinson

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3561

Course Coordinator Email: graeme.allinson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bld 3, Level 2, Room 23

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You must have completed at least 96 credit points or 2 semesters of your postgraduate Science degree.


Course Description

In this course you will apply knowledge and skills acquired in previous study to a real project associated with the environment in a country outside Australia. The course aims to consolidate your knowledge and skills by applying them to the planning and implementation of a research project in country undertaken for a real or hypothetical client as a global intensive experience.

This course may include a Work Integrated Learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.

The team-based approach used in the course overlays exposure to an international context with project development, research and communication skills in a manner akin to working as an environment professional.

The project has three main components, including:

  • The selection of students and planning in Melbourne;
  • Data collection in country;
  • Reporting to organisations in country and in Melbourne.

The project is specifically designed to provide a professional experience and designed to develop intercultural and personal awareness by enabling students to work and engage in an international setting, while operating within a professional team to complete a report for a local client

You will keep a journal indicating your activities at the workplace and reflect on how this experience relates to your coursework experience. You will work safely, ethically and in a manner in keeping of your profession.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Prepare key professional documents in a style typical of the environmental consultancy industry, including developing a research proposal or work project plan
  2. Prepare a risk assessment of your workplace tasks, including assessing the issues related to the design and implementation of the project
  3. Apply your skills in a workplace, displaying technical skills suitable to your chosen discipline
  4. Recognise professionalism in your workplace with respect to safety, ethics, teamwork and communication and adapt your own behaviour to demonstrate professionalism, including reflecting on how scientific principles are applied in a workplace.
  5. Communicate the outcomes of your work experience in a presentation and written reports


This course is a University elective for most Science Masters by Coursework degrees. It is designed to contribute to the following PLOs at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) level 8 and above:

  • Understanding science. Demonstrating a coherent understanding of environmental science (aligned with PLOs 1.1, 1.2)
  • Scientific knowledge. Exhibiting depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge (aligned with PLO 2.1)
  • Inquiry and problem solving. Critically analysing and solving problems in environmental science (aligned with PLOs 2.2, 2.3)
  • Being an effective communicator of environmental sciences (aligned with PLOs 2.4, 2.5)
  • Personal and professional responsibility. Being accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science (aligned with PLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)


Overview of Learning Activities

Skills workshops / training including literature search strategies, referencing, data compilation, writing of reviews and reports, experimental designs, project planning, online visibility and media training CLOs 1,2,3,4, and 5

Preparation of a literature review (or undertaking of relevant training) that incorporates detailed understanding of the project you will be doing, the hazards and risks thereof,  and understanding of the culture in which you will be undertaking your work CLOs 1,2 and 4

Preparation and implementation of a research project for a selected topic, or plans for in country activity CLOs 1,2 and 3

Compilation and presentation of research results / experience  in written, media and/or oral formats CLO 5

Preparation of a professional evaluation report on individual and team performances CLO 5

 

Total study hours

This activity is expected to consist of at least 120 hours over one semester.

Study time will include 4 hours per week for the semester comprising regular workshops and document preparation in Melbourne and in country. You are also expected to spend approximately 4 hours per week on private research, assignment preparation and reporting. You will also spend time travelling to and from Australia, plus an intensive two week data collection phase in country.


Overview of Learning Resources

This is a ‘learning-by-doing’ course. As such, there is no set text book or required reading, however information and skills gained in previous courses will be called upon. A range of information and resources will be available on myRMIT Canvas. You will also need to seek out information e.g. texts, journals and resources relevant to your topic through the RMIT library and other sources as well as in-country data sourced at workshops and site visits.


Overview of Assessment

 

Note: This course has no hurdle requirements

Assessment tasks

Assessment for this course consists of:

  • A pre-departure written submission (research proposal) (30%; CLOs 1,2 3, and 5) 
  • A video presentation (30%; CLO5)
  • A final written report) (30%; CLOs 1,2 3, and 5)
  • An individual Professional Reflection report (10%; CLOs 4 and 5)