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Unit of Study ENVR3009 - Biogeochemistry (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    This unit requires ALL students to attend an on-campus 2-day residential at the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information.

Unit description

Develops an advanced understanding of biogeochemical processes that operate in a diverse range of ecosystems. The unit provides skills in planning and conducting environmental sampling and monitoring programs for monitoring and evaluating ecosystem processes. Instrument and sample collection techniques, that are part of environmental sampling and monitoring programs, will be used to generate data that will be synthesised into technical reports.

Unit content

Module 1: The Carbon Cycle

Module 2: The Nitrogen Cycle

Module 3: The Phosphorus Cycle

Module 4: The Iron and Sulfur Cycles

Module 5: Microbes and biogeochemical cycling

Module 6: Biogeochemical cycles in the Anthropocene.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

perform industry standard biogeochemical sampling practices and laboratory analyses

evaluate and interpret complex data sets related to sediment, water, atmospheric and biological samples

applying problem solving skills based on data and theory to a biogeochemical environmental issue.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment

  • Reading materials and additional resources will be provided via Blackboard.

  • Students will require suitable clothing for the fieldwork component of the residential, including sturdy shoes. Students may be in the sun, may get wet, and may be required to wade into shallow water and/or mud.

    Students will require fully enclosed shoes and a laboratory coat for laboratory sessions.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.