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.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites BIO2POS and one of (ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP)
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Students MUST check details of dates & costs of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Use scientific terminology to describe and explain the current issues in environmental science with a focus on the mallee bioregion
- Activities:
- Reading relevant journal articles, group discussions and interpreting results
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Collect, summarise, analyse, evaluate and interpret scientific data collected via field surveys, experiments or literature reviews.
- Activities:
- Group work on development and planning of research projects. Workshops and group meetings to discuss relevant journal articles, experimental design, equipment lists and project specific technique training (i.e. species identification, trapping technique or equipment operation).
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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.
- Activities:
- Analysis of results using statistical packages, group discussions on interpreting results, power point presentation and written report to communicate the results
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2020, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size42
Enrolment information Field placement Merit based quota. Academic achievement in prerequisite subjects BIO2POS and ZOO2FE or ZOO2AP.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMichael Clarke
Class requirements
Field Trip
Week:
10
-
22
One 6.0 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)."
WorkShop
Week:
10
-
22
One 2.0 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 | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review (1500 words) | Students receive comments on the literature review to feedback into final reports | 20 | 01, 02, 03 |
| 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. | 10 | 02 |
| 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. | 10 | 03 |
| Project report (2000 words) | Students receive comments on the written project report | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |