Course Outline

*Page updated 04/26/2018*

In March and April 2018 (spring semester), students will read assigned online materials including links to peer-reviewed research articles, carry out a select CHANCE online research module, and complete two online pre-field-trip assignments. From June 24 – July 9, 2018, students will participate in the field experience (practicum) during the summer semester wherein they will explore the biodiversity of select ecosystems in Queensland, Australia while questioning the phenomena that are affecting the maintenance and loss of the biological diversity within these fragile environments. This two-week field summer practicum (June 24 – July 9, 2018) will provide real-world, conservation-based research and service-learning experiences –  chaperoned by James Cook University (JCU) research faculty and graduate students, and field scientists and/or conservationists from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service; and, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Key components of this embedded field course include participation in the following authentic, international activities: field research, citizen science projects, service learning activities, scientific data collection, structured field journaling, group reflections and discussion forums, and cultural exchanges and understandings.
 
All pre-trip assignments will be posted in Canvas. Overall, assignments should be typed and submitted according to the format outlined on the assignment sheet. Late assignments will be docked 10% per day.

Evaluation Methods

Scoring Rubric for Pre-Trip Assignments, Structured Field Journal and Notebook, and Post-Trip Assignment

Online Pre-Trip Assignment #1

Online Pre-Trip Assignment #2

Structured Field Journal and Notebook

Post-Trip Assignment

BIOL 296 – Sustainability and Conservation: Citizen Science and Service Learning in Australia

• Online Assignment #1 = 100 points

• Online Assignment #2 = 100 points

• TOTAL POSSIBLE = 200 points

Class grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (200 points). 

BIOL 496 and SUST 495 – Sustainability and Conservation: Citizen Science and Service Learning in Australia

• Online Assignment #1 = 100 points

• Online Assignment #2 = 100 points

• Pre-Trip Research Activity = 100 points

• TOTAL POSSIBLE = 300 points

Class grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (300 points).       

BIOL 296 – A Field Practicum in Australia

• Structured Field Journal and Notebook = 100 points

• Field Research Presentation = 100 points

• Post-Trip Assignment = 100 points

• TOTAL POSSIBLE = 300 points

Class grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (300 points).

BIOL 496 and SUST 495 – A Field Practicum in Australia

• Structured Field Journal and Notebook = 100 points

• CHANCE Discussion Participation = 200 points

• Post-Trip Assignment = 100 points

• TOTAL POSSIBLE = 400 points

Class grades will be determined by a percentage scale based upon the total number of points available (400 points).

Penn State University letter grade equivalents:

Academic Dishonesty:

Penn State University Faculty Sentate Policy 49-20 Academic Integrity:  “Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is an educational objective of this institution.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. A student charged with academic dishonesty will be given oral or written notice of the charges by the instructor. If the instructor believes that the infraction is sufficiently serious to warrant referral of the case to Judicial Affairs or if the instructor will award a final grade of F in the course because of the infraction, the student and the instructor will be afforded formal due process.” (43)

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on the assignment and/or failure in the course.

Note to students with disabilities: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic adjustments in this course, contact Disability Services located at 610-285-5124. For further information regarding the Office of Disability Services, please visit their website at www.equity.psu.edu/ods/. Instructors should be notified as early in the semester as possible regarding the need for reasonable academic adjustments.

Code of Conduct

Managing Student Behavior Abroad

Attendance and regular participation is required. Behavioral issues cited in the EA Conduct Standards Agreement as the PSU Code of Conduct apply to your classroom performance as well as to attendance in class or on field trips. Infractions of the academics agreement will have a negative impact on your grade and could result in an official CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION NOTICE being sent to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.