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.
School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Michael Clarke
Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG
Available as Elective: No
Learning Activities: N/A
Capstone subject: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: BIO2POS and one of (ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP)
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Quota Management Strategy: Merit based quota management
Quota-conditions or rules: Academic achievement in prerequisite subjects BIO2POS and ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP.
Special conditions: Students MUST check details of dates & costs of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs.
Minimum credit point requirement: N/A
Assumed knowledge: N/A
Career Ready
Career-focused: No
Work-based learning: No
Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A
Entire subject or partial subject: N/A
Total hours/days required: N/A
Location of WBL activity (region): N/A
WBL addtional requirements: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
Graduate Capabilities
Intended Learning Outcomes
Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: 42
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Michael 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 element | Category | Contribution | Hurdle | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Literature review (1500 words)Students receive comments on the literature review to feedback into final reports | N/A | N/A | No | 20 | SILO1, 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/A | N/A | No | 10 | SILO2 |
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/A | N/A | No | 10 | SILO3 |
Project report (2000 words)Students receive comments on the written project report | N/A | N/A | No | 60 | SILO1, SILO2, SILO3 |