env2aec arid ecosystem field course a
ARID ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION FIELD COURSE A
ENV2AEC
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
ENV2AEC introduces students to the arid ecosystems of Australia, the ecological impacts of land use and application of field research techniques. The subject examines the soils, terrestrial plants and animal communities of arid Australia in a restoration ecology and conservation context. It is suitable for anyone interested in a career in science and the environment. The subject is conducted online and in the field. Pre-trip readings are provided online and assessed via quizzes and group assignments. The fieldwork component comprises a seven-day field trip based at Calperum Station in eastern South Australia. Students undertake team-based research projects, attend excursions and evening presentations designed to develop their understanding of arid ecosystems and their management. The trip culminates with students delivering group presentations on their research work. Post-field trip commitment involves the preparation of an individual scientific report on the field project.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorEwen Silvester
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ENV3AEC, WEM2ARZ, WEM3ARZ
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Quota due to limited accommodation at Falls Creek. Merit based on academic performance.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Collect and analyse data in the field in order to answer various ecological questions
- Activities:
- Field trip project
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Distinguish elements of effective teamwork and group formation and apply these to perform a group task collaboratively; critically evaluate their own and whole group behaviour
- Activities:
- Teamwork module and contribution to group project
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
03. Write a scientific report related to a field-based project in accordance with professional and ethical standards
- Activities:
- Post-field trip written report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Understand the concepts and practical issues associated with ecological restoration of disturbed habitats and species conservation
- Activities:
- Field trip project, restoration plan, written report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Identify field techniques appropriate for particular tasks and employ some of those methods in the field
- Activities:
- Field trip project
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- 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)
06. Develop a group public presentation
- Activities:
- Group presentation of field trip research project
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
07. Demonstrate knowledge of the environments of Calperum Station and of the arid environments of Australia and identify abiotic and biotic characteristics of these areas
- Activities:
- Group presentation and Post-field trip written report
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
08. Demonstrate knowledge of different kinds of ethical approaches to problems and apply them to analysis of disputed environmental issues. Understand the potential ethical issues inherent within biological research and develop approaches to avoid or minimise impacts.
- Activities:
- Group preparation of an animal ethics application for planned research
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- 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,Ethical behaviour)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Albury-Wodonga, 2017, Week 20-42, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment size20
Enrolment information Quota due to limited accommodation on the field trip. Merit based on academic performance.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorEwen Silvester
Class requirements
Field TripWeek: 24 - 35
One 7.0 days field trip per study period on weekdays during the day from week 24 to week 35 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 20 - 42
One 15.0 hours unscheduled online class per study period from week 20 to week 42 and delivered via online.
"4 weeks of online instruction and assessment prior to field trip."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three multiple choice quizzes on the content of the online modules | Hurdle Requirement: students must pass this task in order to pass the subject | 20 | 01, 05, 07 |
| Group preparation of hypothetical animal ethics application for field research activities | 10 | 05, 08 | |
| Teamwork activities: online & field trip peer assessment | 5% online and 5% field trip contributions | 10 | 02, 06 |
| Ecological restoration plan (group project; 1000 words) | 6% pre-trip preparation & 4% on-trip reflection resubmitted at close of camp | 10 | 04, 05 |
| Group presentation (oral-illustrated) at Calperum reporting on the field project at its conclusion | 10 | 06 | |
| Scientific project report (2,000 words) | Hurdle Requirement: students must pass this task in order to pass the subject | 40 | 01, 03, 04, 07 |