env3fre freshwater ecosystems field course

FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS FIELD COURSE

ENV3FRE

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Aquatic Ecosystems Field Course is based around a seven-day camp (5 full days) centred on the Ovens River in North East Victoria. The field trip will specifically address field techniques used to study aquatic and riparian (stream side) communities, through team-based research combined with evening discussions and presentations. Pre-trip commitments will involve the successful completion of on-line background modules to assist in your understanding of the field project objectives. The field project will focus on the areas of: geomorphology-hydrology, water quality, macroinvertebrate communities, fish and vegetation, the results of which will form the basis of a post-field trip report and a major assessment task. The subject will also cover aspects of river management, in particular the role of flow regime in achieving ecological outcomes. This subject is an introduction to field research and will be suitable for aspiring park rangers, field ecologists and anyone interested in a career working in science and the environment.

SchoolLife Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorEwen Silvester

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsNo

Available as ElectiveYes

Learning ActivitiesN/A

Capstone subjectNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Quota Management StrategyMerit based quota management

Quota-conditions or rulesStudents selected from provisionally enrolled list, based on second year results.

Special conditionsStudents MUST check details of dates, costs and reimbursement cut-off dates of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs. The field trip start point is from Wodonga campus and students are expected to make their own way there, or travel independently to Harrietville directly - both of these options are at the student's own cost.

Minimum credit point requirementN/A

Assumed knowledgeN/A

Career Ready

Career-focusedNo

Work-based learningNo

Self sourced or Uni sourcedN/A

Entire subject or partial subjectN/A

Total hours/days requiredN/A

Location of WBL activity (region)N/A

WBL addtional requirementsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Identify legal, cultural, biological and ethical considerations that constrain research activity in an environment and undertake appropriate steps to safeguard the environment.

02. Distinguish elements of effective teamwork and group formation and apply these principles to perform collaboratively in a team to collect and analyse field data then critically evaluate their own and whole group behaviour.

03. Write a scientific report related to a field based project in accordance with professional and ethical standards.

04. Demonstrate knowledge of aquatic ecosystems in Australia and identify abiotic and biotic characteristics of these habitats

Subject options

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Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Week 35-47, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment size41

Enrolment informationN/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorEwen Silvester

Class requirements

Field TripWeek: 39 - 40
One 7.00 days field trip per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 39 to week 40 and delivered via face-to-face.
The subject is based around the Ovens River, North East Victoria. It will be conducted during the mid-semester break of second semester.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 35 - 39
One 15.00 hours unscheduled online class per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 35 to week 39 and delivered via online.
Online components will be conducted from early in semester 2 until the week before the field trip.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Field work report (2,000-words)Hurdle Requirement: Students must achieve a minimum of 50% in order to pass the subject.Due four weeks after field trip	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes	40	SILO1, SILO3, SILO4
Pre-field multiple choice quiz (1,000-words equivalent)Tests student understanding of three modules: (i) freshwater ecosystems, (ii) field techniques, and (iii) research design and analysis.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	30	SILO1, SILO2, SILO4
Annotated bibliography (500-words)Each group is requested to review up to 10 journal articles (dependent upon number of members in each group) and create an annotated bibliography foe each article. The entire document is no more than 500 words (50 words for each article).	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO4
Teamwork exercises (200-words equivalent)Combination of on-line and on-trip tasks that prepare students for working in team environments and assess their ability to take on different roles in teams. Assessment is via submission to on-line discussion forums (5%) and peer evaluation (5%).	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO2
Oral presentation (200-words equivalent)Oral presentations are delivered in groups on the penultimate day of the field trip.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO2, SILO4