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ENV210 - Aquatic Ecosystems Chemistry

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Environmental Science

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Assumed Knowledge

ENV101 Earth Systems, SCH104 Introductory Chemistry or SCH101 Chemical Concepts

Unit Description

Water is essential to all life on earth. This unit provides foundational knowledge for students wishing to move into aquatic resource management, research and consultancy fields. Students will be introduced to the physical and chemical processes that support aquatic ecosystems. Practical experience in a range of water and sediment sampling and analysis techniques is provided.

All students must attend a compulsory 5-day field and lab intensive block run in Darwin. During the intensive, students will have an opportunity to carry out sampling design activities in the field and analyses of samples in the laboratory.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Synthesise concepts of diversity, variability and function in aquatic ecosystems.
2.	Apply knowledge of physical, chemical and biological processes to understanding characteristics and variability in aquatic ecosystems.
3.	Apply skills to perform a range of water and sediment sampling techniques in a field situation working collaboratively in groups.
4.	Apply skills to perform water and sediment analysis in the laboratory.
5.	Collect and analyse data resulting from water assessment investigations and communicate the outcomes of the investigation in written form.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Tutorial quizzes (6 quizzes across the semester, 15 minutes each. One of these will be the pre-census date summative assessment)	15%	1 - Synthesise concepts of diversity, variability and function in aquatic ecosystems. 2 - Apply knowledge of physical, chemical and biological processes to understanding characteristics and variability in aquatic ecosystems. 3 - Apply skills to perform a range of water and sediment sampling techniques in a field situation working collaboratively in groups. 4 - Apply skills to perform water and sediment analysis in the laboratory. 5 - Collect and analyse data resulting from water assessment investigations and communicate the outcomes of the investigation in written form.
2.	Practical worksheets (7 x 2 pages)	35%	3 - Apply skills to perform a range of water and sediment sampling techniques in a field situation working collaboratively in groups. 4 - Apply skills to perform water and sediment analysis in the laboratory. 5 - Collect and analyse data resulting from water assessment investigations and communicate the outcomes of the investigation in written form.
3.	Water analysis report (1250 words)	25%	3 - Apply skills to perform a range of water and sediment sampling techniques in a field situation working collaboratively in groups. 4 - Apply skills to perform water and sediment analysis in the laboratory. 5 - Collect and analyse data resulting from water assessment investigations and communicate the outcomes of the investigation in written form.
4.	Aquatic process report (1000 words)	25%	1 - Synthesise concepts of diversity, variability and function in aquatic ecosystems. 2 - Apply knowledge of physical, chemical and biological processes to understanding characteristics and variability in aquatic ecosystems. 3 - Apply skills to perform a range of water and sediment sampling techniques in a field situation working collaboratively in groups. 4 - Apply skills to perform water and sediment analysis in the laboratory. 5 - Collect and analyse data resulting from water assessment investigations and communicate the outcomes of the investigation in written form.

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 2	Internal	Casuarina Campus	ITV,OLR
2025	Semester 2	External	External Studies	ITV,OLR

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ITV: This unit will be delivered/part-delivered intensively in this teaching period rather than over the full semester.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
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Student Services and Amenities Fees
2024 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)