Courses & Units

Geoheritage and Geotourism KGA327

This unit will run face-to-face in Launceston once a quota of fifteen students is reached; otherwise these students will be offered the unit in distance mode.

Introduction

Human activity has altered fifty percent of the Earth's surface, leading to various consequences, both positive and negative, on our landscapes. However, the opportunities to explore, conserve, and appreciate pristine and exposed landscapes are growing, giving rise to the fields of geoconservation and geotourism. This unique unit explores strategies for investigating, understanding, and addressing issues related to geoconservation and geotourism. Through a series of hands-on, field-based, and problem-based learning experiences, you will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to create and manage (geo)heritage inventories, evaluate potential sites for geotourism and geoeducational purposes, design new geotouristic experiences, and develop materials for both consumers and operators in the fields of geoconservation and geotourism.

Our program is the only one of its kind in Australia, allowing you to work on real-world case studies and collaborate with leaders in these fields. We look at all forms of Geodiversity - waterways, soils, mountains, fossils, volcanoes and more. Imagine a world where rocks are not just 'rock and roll,' but the rockstars of Earth's history, and geoheritage is our backstage pass to study and conserve their epic stories! Join us as we provide guidance on how to recognise and nominate sites for conservation, restore degraded lands, create trails and geotouristic experiences and explore UNESCO Geoparks whilst utilising cutting-edge digital technologies, conducting social and scientific research, and fostering close relationships with industries and protected area groups. Absolutely no background knowledge is required to undertake this unit, and all are welcome. All techniques and experiences will be provided to you within the unit. This unit provides students with opportunities to undertake over 50 hours of in-field training for students wanting to travel to Tasmania, or exiting online professional training if you live elsewhere in the world.

Summary

Unit name Geoheritage and Geotourism
Unit code KGA327
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Sciences and Engineering
School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Discipline Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences
Coordinator Doctor Melinda McHenry
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 1 On-Campus International Domestic
Launceston Semester 1 On-Campus International Domestic
Online Semester 1 Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 26/2/2024 22/3/2024 15/4/2024 2/6/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Communicate geoheritage and geotourism concepts and data
  • Accurately apply geographical concepts to contemporary global challenges
  • Curate and communicate geoheritage inventory
  • Exhibit professional conduct by complying with organisational guidelines and expectations of responsible personnel

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
050999 $1,118.00 $1,118.00 not applicable $3,068.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

KGA327 is delivered online and face-to-face, on-campus and in the field by a series of 11 masterclasses (1 per week, excluding field trip weeks). Two separate whole-day (8 hour) field trips will also occur during semester (dates to be confirmed in Week 1 of semester). These field trips may be attended in-person or via dynamic online immersive experience. For each 8 hours in the field, there may also be bus travel of up to 2 hours each way. Students participating in-person must therefore allow for these travel times in their scheduling. If you are unable to join in-person due to time constraints, please arrange to join the online activities.

A three-day fieldwork camp will take place during semester (Friday-Sunday, dates TBC), with attendance options either online or in-person.

AssessmentAT1: Landscape of the Week Online Quiz (10%)|AT2: Geosite Nomination (30%)|AT3: Geotrail or Heritage Trail (30%)|AT4: Video Experience (30%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There are no required reading materials in KGA327.

Recommended

Gray, M. Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature; John Wiley & Sons, 2004; ISBN 0-470-09081-2.

Henriques, M.H.; dos Reis, R.P.; Brilha, J.; Mota, T. Geoconservation as an Emerging Geoscience. Geoheritage 20113, 117–128.

IUCN Geodiversity, World Heritage and IUCN Available online: https://www.iucn.org/theme/world-heritage/our-work/global-world-heritage-projects/geodiversity-world-heritage-and-iucn (accessed on Oct 8, 2019).

Napieralski, J.; Barr, I.; Kamp, U.; Kervyn, M. 3.8 Remote Sensing and GIScience in Geomorphological Mapping. In Treatise on Geomorphology; Elsevier, 2013; pp. 187–227 ISBN 978-0-08-088522-3.

Malczewski, J. GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis: a survey of the literature. Int. J. Geogr. Inf. Sci. 200620, 703–726.

 

 

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.