Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA and include which of the below criteria applies:
- You are a student who is currently offshore and unable to enter Australia.
- You are a student in Australia who is impacted by state or regional border closures.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Restricted to enrolment by students unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.
OCEN4005 The Indian Ocean Environment
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 2 Online Online timetabled - Content
- This unit provides an overview of the dynamic processes governing the structure and function of marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on applications from the Indian Ocean. The unit introduces key concepts in physical, chemical, biological and geological ocean systems to explore—
• the geological formation and climate history of the Indian Ocean and its modern environmental characteristics;
• the role of weather and climate variability in driving regional ocean processes;
• the dynamics of ocean circulation and waves within the Indian Ocean;
• the diversity of marine habitats and species across the Indian Ocean, focusing on biodiversity and drivers of distribution and abundance;
• how physical ocean processes shape marine ecosystems along the Indian Ocean rim; and
• the influence on climate change on the physical, chemical and biological oceanography of the Indian Ocean and future projections. - Outcomes
- Students are able to (1) demonstrate a knowledge of how the Indian Ocean has formed and its climate history, including the processes that have led to its modern environmental conditions; (2) identify how weather systems and climate cycles drive ocean processes through atmosphere–ocean coupling; (3) demonstrate an awareness of the regional ocean circulation patterns and wave conditions along the Indian Ocean rim, and assess the dominant physical drivers responsible; (4) demonstrate an understanding of the major marine habitats, ecosystems and species in the Indian Ocean, and link oceanic physical and chemical processes to the uniqueness and diversity of marine biota; (5) demonstrate an awareness of the major biogeochemical cycles in the ocean than shape marine ecosystems, and how these vary across the Indian Ocean; and (6) identify how climate change has altered modern ocean conditions across the Indian Ocean and the future projections and impacts.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class exercises; (2) two field/laboratory reports; and (3) final project. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Supplementary assessment is only available in this unit in the case of a student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course. - Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Nicole Jones
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites:
- Nil.
- Co-requisites:
- Nil.
- Incompatibility:
- Nil.
- Note
- Week of August 24: Introductory briefing session for all students
Aug 28-Sep 14: Online readings and upskilling activities (any oceanography primers, software tutorials etc.) made available.
Sep 14-Oct 23: Five day-long intensive sessions (same day each week) [this is a 6-week period due to the study break in the week of Sep 28]
Oct 26-Nov 13: Students work on and submit final assessment item/s
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.