We are heavily involved in outreach to schools and the public through consultancies, conferences, ecotours and Austswim activity and are keen to assist other Faculties within the university with unit, course and assessment development. The Changing Australian Environment First Semester, External Only This unit is an integral part of the BProfSt program. Students are provided with an overview of the changes that have occurred in the Australian landscape from Gondwanan times, through the era of Aboriginal settlement and the phase of European colonisation to the present times of rapid environmental changes. Text, readings, videos and the mass media are used. Assessment is based on field studies by the students in their own environment and using sources of information from the community.
Students participate in a compulsory field study, where a number of natural communities are studied.
A wide selection of environmental issues will exemplify this impact. A major field study will provide a focus for these studies. An individual investigation in an interest area arising from these studies will further develop empirical scientific investigation techniques. This study will develop an appreciation of the way in which the actions of humans impact on the environment and the importance of environmental education in the school curriculum. Students will apply to their professional activities the attitudes, skills and understandings developed.