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Study associate degree online with University of Tasmania through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

Science of Gardening

Our Blue Planet

A Primer of Marine and Antarctic Science

Backyard Biodiversity

Living with Fire

Construction Environmental Science

Introduction to Spatial Information

Introduction to the Science of Climate Change

Introduction to Marine and Antarctic Science B

Science of Fishing 1

Fire has shaped the evolution of the world we see around us and is fundamental to life. Yet wildfire can also be devastating to human and ecological communities. Today, more and more of us are living in fire prone areas, and wildfires are behaving in new, less predictable ways.  So how do we live with fire - as individuals, and as communities? How do we plan for fire, and how do we respond when fires happen? How do we ensure that we are using fire in a sustainable way? What are the trade-offs involved in fire management? And what might we learn from indigenous Australians, who have used fire skilfully on this continent for over 40,000 years?  Living with Fire is for anyone interested in these complex but practical and fascinating questions about fire in our lives today. You will learn what causes fire and why wildfires behave the way they do. As well as the science of fire, you will learn about the human dimensions of fire and the complex trade-offs involved in fire management between the needs of culture and society, and ecology and biodiversity. You will learn how to evaluate your own level of fire risk and what you can do to plan for fire as an individual. You will also become more empowered to participate in conversations about how we plan for and respond to fire in our local communities.

Biodiversity is a critical component of sustainable living and is central to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At a local scale, biodiversity is important for healthy and sustainable living, and due to the complexity of biodiversity issues in urban areas, requires well informed and strategic management. Focusing on the biodiversity present in urban areas, especially your own backyard, you will learn about the importance of biodiversity to human and ecosystem health and how biodiversity supports sustainable living. You will develop skills and knowledge in identification, quantification and management of both vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity, and learn how to modify your environment to facilitate greater biodiversity. You do not have to be a scientist to take this subject, all you need is curiosity for the natural world and the desire to support the native biodiversity of your area.

Learn about the different bird, reptile, mammal and insect species that live in your local environment, so that you can take action to protect them. Explore the habitat changes you can make in your own backyard to support more biodiversity.

In this subject, we are going to explore the science underlying what you do in your garden, why your plants respond to your gardening, and how plants grow and reproduce. What we hope that you will gain, is a much clearer understanding of the fundamentals:<ul><li>how to identify plants - what the critical features are that enable you to recognise some of the more common plant families</li><li>how plants grow - the relationship between the internal structure of plants and their use of water and light to grow</li><li>what plants need from the soil – what are the properties of soil and its inhabitants that contribute to healthy growth of plants?</li><li>how plants know when to grow – what are the signals that tell the plants when to germinate, when to flower, when to burst leaf buds and when to shed their leaves?</li><li>how plants know ‘how’ to grow – what are the underlying controls that shape plants? How do plants respond to pruning, to espaliering, to cutting back and deadheading? and lastly</li><li>how do we multiply plants – how does vegetative propagation work? How does grafting work? What are the differences between heirloom varieties and F1 seed? Why do some apple varieties need cross-pollination but others don’t, and why don’t fruit trees breed true from seed? And perhaps even more importantly, we hope that you will gain an appreciation of the role of science in testing gardening lore, to dispel myths, and to learn more about the plants that make our lives possible and more enjoyable.</li></ul>Science of Gardening is for anyone seeking to cultivate not only plants but also a greener future, by integrating sustainable practices into their gardening.

An exploration of plants in your garden. You’ll learn about soils, plant growth, and propagation. Find out how to identify plants. Do some plant myth busting and apply the scientific method.

This subject introduces students to the science disciplines underpinning the study of marine and Antarctic environments and the application of science to solve problems in marine and Antarctic disciplines. It provides the foundational skills and knowledge for students in the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science for specialised study in years 2 and 3.Topics that are covered include:• an understanding of Gondwana and geology of Antarctica, sub-Antarctic islands and the surrounding ocean;• ice and climate studies;• the physical and chemical nature of the Southern Ocean;• the terrestrial and marine environment of the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and cool temperate areas, including plants, animals, birds and fish;• the impact of humans on marine and Antarctic environments, including the study of global climate change.The students will benefit from lectures delivered by experts in their field, including guest lecturers, and further develop their understanding through in-class debates and hands-on fieldwork and laboratory practicals (available online).

A deeper scientific exploration of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. Dive into the science of ice, climate, and oceanography. Take a look at the geology of Antarctica and the plants, animals, birds and fish that inhabit the region.

Seventy percent of the planet is covered by ocean. This subject introduces students to Planet Ocean through four modules, covering key topics on marine life and the ecology of temperate and high latitude marine ecosystems (Module 1); the ocean system as interactions between physical, chemical, geological and ecological features (Module 2); the role of the oceans in climate change and how climate change affects ocean life and ocean processes (Module 3); and finishes up by considering the responsibilities of humans in the stewardship of the oceans; how human activity impacts the oceans and the challenges and approaches to ocean stewardship (Module 4). We cover the origins of life in the oceans, iconic and ‘weird’ marine life, ‘a day in the life’ of an oceanographer, and a number of topics highly relevant to modern society including technologies for ocean science, responding to climate change, threatened species, and sustainable management of marine resources including fisheries.

KSA101 will provide a background to the science and management of the seas with focus on Antarctic and Southern Ocean. On the completion of this subject, students will demonstrate a knowledge and comprehension of the contemporary issues facing Antarctic, marine and coastal environments, and the management strategies used to optimise the value (market and non-market) of these areas.

Explore Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. You’ll learn how governments manage the southernmost coasts and seas of the world. Cover contemporary issues as well as some historical, legal, and political topics.

Introduction to Marine and Antarctic Science A

Human-induced climate change is the most serious problem currently facing our planet - a global problem with increasingly obvious local impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that the next 10 years will be critical to averting catastrophic climate change. The science is complex, but there is strong international consensus around much of our climate change knowledge. Gaining an understanding of the science of climate change and appreciating where the certainty and uncertainty lie are important first steps to more confidently engaging in the action that is so urgently required.In this subject, you will learn why scientists are so certain that climate change is occurring, is caused by humans, and is causing impacts on human and other natural systems. Tasmania has a global reputation as a centre for climate research, and UTas has many internationally renowned researchers working in diverse disciplines with relevance to climate impacts and adaptation. We will hear from many of these experts, including IPCC authors, regional climate modellers and climate impact scientists.

In this subject you will learn about the importance of making informed decisions to fish responsibly and sustainably. This will include improving your knowledge on both releasing and harvesting fish. You will learn how to apply best practice fish handling techniques to minimise stress and maximise a fish’s chance of post-release survival. For fish retained for consumption, you will learn safe and hygienic processing method as well as ways to maximise the yield and quality of your seafood. You will also be introduced to innovative ways to prepare and preserve your catch and the nutritional health benefits of seafood. The information provided in the subject will consider a range of different fish species and how each may require their own handling, preparation and preservation techniques.

Science of Fishing 2

In this subject you will not only learn about the science behind fishing techniques and how these interact with the biology and behaviour of a species, but also how recreational fisheries are sustainably managed and how you can be a responsible fisher. Important and interesting questions/skills for fishers include: identifying a species, determining what they eat and understanding how their biology, sensory abilities, preferred habitats and behavior influence fishing techniques. After completion of this subject you may change the way you fish, with both an improved fishing experience and a greater understanding of how to fish safely and responsibly for the future.

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean – valued, protected, understood. This mantra was coined originally by the Australian Antarctic Division (the government department with responsibility for Australian activities in the Antarctic) and was also adopted, with modification, by Antarctica New Zealand (New Zealand’s government department). It reflects the vision of these two countries, and the ideological approach they have to their interests in the Antarctic. It is simple, descriptive and informative. It is what this subject is all about. “Protecting Antarctica” integrates the natural and social sciences to give context to contemporary Antarctic environmental issues. Its objective is to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of the management and regulation of uses of the continent and surrounding marine environment of the Southern Ocean from the point of view of protecting the natural environment and its values. It includes a series of lectures on geography and environmental sciences, physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences and humanities. “Protecting Antarctica” incorporates the theme of multiple use management of a globally important region, wherein management involves commercial marine living resource extraction, scientific research, logistics, and tourism and other non-extractive commercial activities. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean are subject to a unique legal regime including an environmental protocol to the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, and this instrument has become the basis upon which all human activity in Antarctica is judged. Completing the subject will equip students from a wide variety of fields with the ability to view the Antarctic from a more holistic perspective. Your new knowledge will assist you to understand the various values of the region, how they – and the areas they apply to – become known, then valued, then protected.

Governing Antarctica

University of Tasmania Associate Degree Environmental science Courses & Degrees | Open Universities Australia

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