sci2eco ecological systems
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
SCI2ECO
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject will develop and expand student knowledge and skills in a number of ecological processes that are considered essential to an understanding of agricultural science, its practical application and its relationship to the surrounding environment. Students will explore ecosystems and how certain processes link the living, or biotic, components to the non-living, or abiotic, components. A healthy ecological system is a key indicator of a sustainable environment. Areas explored includes: soil origin, formation, description, classification, chemistry, carbon and organic matter; the physicochemical characteristics of water and their biological applications and implications; the underlying principles and concepts of aquatic science; aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams and coastal habitats; nutrient cycles in ecosystem health, energy flows and food chains. This subject addresses La Trobe's Sustainability Thinking Essential. Sustainability Thinking entails deep appreciation of how the choices we make affect the natural, economic, social, political and cultural systems - now and in the future.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Admission into SBATE
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Analytical measurements in aquatic environments | Recommended | Namiesnik, J & Szefer, P 2010 | CRC PRESS, NEW YORK, USA. |
| Readings | Aquatic ecosystems: trends and global prospects | Recommended | Polunin, V 2008 | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK, USA. |
| Readings | Australian soil fertility manual | Recommended | Price, G 2006 | 3RD EDN, CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA. |
| Readings | Ecology of aquatic systems | Recommended | Dobson, M & Frid, C 2009 | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK. |
| Readings | Soils: their properties and management | Recommended | Chapman, P & Murphy, B 2007 | 3RD EDITION, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK. |
| Readings | Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st edn, American Public Health Association | Recommended | APHA-AWWA-WEF, 2005 | AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION & WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. |
| Readings | Understanding vineyard soils | Recommended | White, R 2009 | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK. |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Identify ecological concepts, animal and plant interactions, nutrient cycling and ecosystems
- Activities:
- Lectures and tutorials will be used to explore ecological cycles and interactions within the context of agricultural production systems and human-utilised aquatic ecosystems. Therefore environmental, social and economic themes influence class discussions about current utility and future sustainability of ecological systems.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
02. Identify different ecological environments and the techniques used for sampling and monitoring their health
- Activities:
- Field excursions will be used to demonstrate examples of relationships and interactions in different terrestrial and aquatic environments. Students will be given group exercises to gain depth in their chosen area of study.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
03. Describe the relationships between soil water interactions and environments monitoring their health
- Activities:
- Field studies and laboratory exercises will be used to demonstrate soil water relationships. Parameters for measuring soil health will be explored.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
04. Investigate, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence regarding ecological systems from a range of sources
- Activities:
- Field studies, laboratory exercises and written assessments will be used to demonstrate ecological relationships and ecosystem function, in the context of agroecosystems and peri-urban aquatic ecosystems, i.e. ecosystems largely given over to economic production and/or social utility. Therefore there is a strong integration of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of long-term sustainability in the practical activities and assessment tasks.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Epping, 2019, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPenelope Smith
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays at night from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"Delivered as pre recorded lectures in flipped classroom format
"
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays at night from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
Two 8.0 hours workshop per study period on weekends during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"2 day intensive workshop"
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
Two 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"Students to watch videos of practical competencies"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x 20-minute online Aquatic Ecosystem Quiz (400 words equivalent) | Formative assessment. Short quiz on material from early aquatic ecosystem lectures and flipped classes | 10 | 01, 02 |
| 1 x 1.5 hour examination (1,500-words equivalent) | 2 hour exam on material from aquatic ecosystem lectures and flipped classes | 30 | 01, 02 |
| 15-minute Group oral presentation on Excursion/Field Visits (400 word equivalent/student) | Group oral presentation (15 minutes) on group field practical exercise | 10 | 01, 02, 03 |
| 5 x 10-minute online soil Short Quizzes - (800 words equivalent total) | Multiple choice and short answer online quizzes for each of 5 soil ecosystem lectures (4% each) | 20 | 01, 02 |
| Soil Practical report (700 words) | Written report (700 words) on interpretation of soil ecosystem data | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |
| Soil Assignment (700 words) | Written report (700 words) on interpretation of soil ecosystem management | 15 | 01, 02, 04 |