ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

SCI2ECO

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject will develop and expand student knowledge and skills in ecological systems that are considered essential to an understanding of agricultural science, including its practical application and its relationship to the surrounding environment. A healthy ecological system is a key indicator of a sustainable environment. Students will explore biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and the interactive processes between them. Topics include: the physicochemical characteristics of water and their biological applications and implications; the principles and concepts of aquatic science; aquatic ecosystems such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams and coastal habitats; energy flows in food chains and nutrient cycles in natural and agro ecosystems; soil origin and formation; soil physical description; soil chemistry; and soil carbon and organic matter. 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.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Gary Clark

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Admission into SBATE or requires Subject Coordinator approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Analytical measurements in aquatic environments

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Namiesnik, J & Szefer, P

Year: 2010

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CRC PRESS, NEW YORK, USA.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Ecology of aquatic systems

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Dobson, M & Frid, C

Year: 2009

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Aquatic ecosystems: trends and global prospects

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Polunin, V

Year: 2008

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, NEW YORK, USA.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Soils: their properties and management

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Chapman, P & Murphy, B

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: 3RD EDITION

Publisher: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Australian soil fertility manual

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Price, G

Year: 2006

Edition/Volume: 3RD EDN

Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st edn, American Public Health Association

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: APHA-AWWA-WEF

Year: 2005

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION & WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION, WASHINGTON, D.C.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Understanding vineyard soils

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: White, R

Year: 2009

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, UK.

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: 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

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Identify ecological concepts, including ecosystem components, interactive processes, nutrient cycling and energy flow

02. Identify different ecosystems and develop techniques used for sampling and monitoring their health

03. Describe the relationship between physicochemical parameters of soil and water and environmental health

04. Evaluate and interpret physical, chemical and biological parameters of soil and water, for purposes of sound management of agro-ecological systems.

Epping (Melbourne Polytechnic), 2020, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Gary Clark

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 36
One 2.00 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via face-to-face.

PracticalWeek: 31 - 36
One 2.00 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 31 - 36
One 1.00 hour tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 36 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 37 - 42
One 2.00 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 37 to week 42 and delivered via online.
Students complete online activities (pre- recorded lectures and other materials) prior to the scheduled workshop.

WorkShopWeek: 37 - 43
Two 2.50 hours workshop per study period on weekends during the day from week 37 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
2 day intensive workshop

WorkShopWeek: 37 - 42
One 2.50 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 37 to week 42 and delivered via face-to-face.
Students can choose either the face-to-face or virtual (Online) class option.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
1 x 25-minute online Aquatic Ecosystem Quiz (450 words equivalent)Formative assessment.Â Short quiz on material from early aquatic ecosystem lectures and flipped classes	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2
80-minute examination (1,350- words equivalent)80-minute exam on material from aquatic ecosystem lectures and flipped classes	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	30	SILO1, SILO2
15-minute (5 minutes/member) Group oral presentation on Excursion/Field Visits (450 word equiv/stdGroup oral presentation (15 minutes, 5 minutes/member) on group field practical exercise	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4
Soil Report (2250 words)This assessment is based on Topics 1 and 8-12. It consists of a written report on measurement of soil ecosystem parameters and their interpretation for sound agro-ecosystem management	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	50	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4