env3mfc mallee field course
MALLEE FIELD COURSE
ENV3MFC
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The aim of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to conduct environmental research in the field in an important biogeographical region, namely the mallee. Students will work in small groups to conduct a research project that they will develop themselves under the guidance of a staff member. Possible research topics include effects of habitat fragmentation upon avian, mammalian or invertebrate communities, behavioural ecology of birds and lizards, ecological responses to fire, cropping and grazing pressures, significance of old growth mallee to faunal communities.Skills: experimental design and planning, hands-on experience of data collection in the field, team work, data collation and statistical analysis, written and oral presentation, SPSS computer package.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites BIO2POS and one of (ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP)
Co-requisites None
Incompatible subjects None
Equivalent subjects None
Special conditions Students MUST check details of dates & costs of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Use scientific terminology to describe and explain the current issues in the discipline area of environmental science with a focus on the mallee bioregion
- Activities:
- Reading relevant journal articles, group discussions and interpreting results
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Collect, summarise, analyse, evaluate and interpret scientific data collected via field surveys, experiments or literature reviews.
- Activities:
- Group work on development and planning of research projects. Workshops and group meetings to discuss relevant journal articles, experimental design, equipment lists and project specific technique training (i.e. species identification, trapping technique or equipment operation).
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Produce clear, concise, grammatically correct written and spoken work (report and oral presentation) that presents coherent evidence-based explanations and communicates the results of the group project to peers.
- Activities:
- Analysis of results using statistical packages, group discussions on interpreting results, power point presentation and written report to communicate the results
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Off Campus
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment size42
Enrolment information Quota due to limited accommodation at the Mallee Research Station. Merit based on academic performance in prerequisite subjects.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke
Class requirements
Field TripWeek: 10 - 22
One 5.0 days field trip per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"The subject is based at the Mallee Research Station, Walpeup in the far north-west of the state (approx. 500 km from Melbourne). The course is ran onsite at Walpeup from 2nd April - 6th April."
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
"Online and face-to-face workshop meetings in project groups (6 students per group) for preparation and assessment will be conducted from early March."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review (1000 words) | Students receive comments on the literature review to feedback into final reports | 20 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Participation | Active participation in pre-trip workshops, planning, design and execution of project to achieve a common goal. Performance as a team member through completion of group tasks and engagement in follow-up activities. | 10 | 02 |
| Oral presentation (as a group) | Student will receive comments on an ungraded introductory talk on the first day of the field trip. This provides feedback for the final presentation on the last day of the field trip. | 10 | 03 |
| Project report (2000 words) | Students receive comments on the written project report | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |