This is a largely field trip-based subject conducted in early July for nine days in total and based mainly (five days) at Sturt National Park, in north-western N.S.W. At Sturt N.P. students will study arid-zone organisms and ecosystems through daytime excursions, team-based research projects, and through daily discussions and lectures. Pre-trip materials (including background reading on the arid zone environment) will be provided online and student knowledge of this material will be assessed before the field trip. Post-trip requirements will include the submission of a research report on the project conducted at Sturt and assessment of knowledge of the arid zone and field techniques acquired during the field trip. This subject will introduce students to the ecology of the Australian arid zone and reinforce and extend their capacity to undertake ecological research in the field.

Subject rules