ECOTOUR 2500 - Perspectives in Science Based Ecotourism II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ECOTOUR 2500 Course Perspectives in Science Based Ecotourism II Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 8 hours in first 6 weeks Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assessment Major report, e-quizzes, final exam, mini-conference Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Elizabeth Reed
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1 understand the principles, context and practice of scientific ecotourism; 2 develop skills in critical thinking and research by analysing scientific ecotourism case studies; 3 understand key issues related to sustainable use of ecotourism destinations; 4 understand the key elements of good interpretation and use these to communicate science concepts;and 5 critically appraise current ecotourism practices and gain experience in engaging with industry partners. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Deep discipline knowledge
- informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
- acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
- accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
1,2,3 Critical thinking and problem solving
- steeped in research methods and rigor
- based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
- demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
2,5 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
4,5 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
2,4,5 Intercultural and ethical competency
- adept at operating in other cultures
- comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
- able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
- demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
1,3,5 Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
- open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
- able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
2,4,5 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course consists of two one-hour lecture sessions per week for 6 weeks plus four-hour practical classes for 5 weeks. There will be a mini-conference which will consist of 2 days with 6 hours of lectures and workshops per day.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
The course consists of two one-hour lecture sessions per week for 6 weeks plus four-hour practical classes for 5 weeks. There will be a mini-conference which will consist of 2 days with 6 hours of lectures and workshops per day.
Specific Course Requirements
Attendance for the mini-conference is compulsory. This will comprise 2 days (6 hours) of lectures and presentations by industry partners and guest lecturers, with students presenting as well. Practicals are compulsory and will form the basis of the report and part of the exam. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome Due e-quiz x 5 Summative 10% No 1,3,5 Weeks 2-5 Mini-conference and workshop Summative 15% No 1,4,5 Week 6 Final exam Summative 25% No 1,3,4 Exam period Major report Formative and Summative 50% No 1,2,3 Week 10 Assessment Related Requirements
Assessment Item with Hurdle or Compulsory component % needed to meet hurdle or requirement to meet compulsory component Additional Assessment Available Yes/No Explanation Mini Conference Satisfactory completion of the mini-conference No
The mini-conference cannot be run again Practicals Satisfactory completion of all practicals Yes in most cases In most cases students can make up validly missed practicals where possible. Assessment Detail
E-quiz (total of 10%)
Students will complete 5 quizzes during semester (each worth 2%). Quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. These quizzes will test progressive comprehension of lecture and practical material, notably key facts and concepts.
Mini-conference and workshop (total of 15%)
Students will participate in a mini-conference which will consist of themed presentations and discussion sessions presented by industry professionals and academics. Students will each present a 10-minute presentation covering key issues around one of the conference themes (10%). Each student will be required to participate in a panel discussion/Q&A session which will be worth 5%. This will relate to the theme of their presentation topic.
Major Report (total of 50%)
Students will prepare a 2,500 word report that comprises their own individual, critical research on a topical issue in science-based ecotourism. Students will be able to choose a topic from a list provided by the course coordinator. These topics will reflect material covered in the lectures and build on case studies presented during lectures and practicals.
Final Exam (total of 25%)
The final theory exam will examine all components of the course. It will consist of multiple choice, short answer and long answer questions.Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the
assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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