env3mfc mallee field course

MALLEE FIELD COURSE

ENV3MFC

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

The aim of this course is to provide you with the opportunity to conduct environmental research in the field in an important biogeographical region, namely the Mallee. You will work in small groups to conduct a research project that you will develop yourselves 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.

SchoolLife Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Available as ElectiveNo

Learning ActivitiesN/A

Capstone subjectNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites BIO2POS and one of (ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP)

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Quota Management StrategyMerit based quota management

Quota-conditions or rulesAcademic achievement in prerequisite subjects BIO2POS and ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP.

Special conditionsStudents MUST check details of dates & costs of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs.

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

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Use scientific terminology to describe and explain the current issues in environmental science with a focus on the Mallee bioregion
02. Collect, summarise, analyse, evaluate and interpret scientific data collected via field surveys, experiments or literature reviews.
03. Produce clear, concise, grammatically correct written and spoken work that communicates coherent evidence-based explanations of the results of the group project to peers.

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment size42

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke

Class requirements

Field TripWeek: 10 - 22
One 6.00 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).

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Face-to-face workshop in project groups (6 students per group) for preparation and assessment will be conducted from early March.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*
Literature review (1500 words) Students receive comments on the literature review to feedback into final reportsN/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Participation (500 words equivalence) 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.N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO2
Oral presentation (500 words equivalence per group member) 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.N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO3
Project report (2000 words) Students receive comments on the written project reportN/AN/AN/ANo60SILO1, SILO2, SILO3