Experimental Wildlife Zoology

Subject ZOOL30009 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Four lectures, one tutorial and 60 hours practical work during a week-long field trip in the mid-semester break
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites:

All of

Plus one of

OR

Both

  • 654-202 Vertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009)
  • 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations (prior to 2009)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects:

Students who have received credit for 654-309 Field Biology of Australian Wildlife (prior to 2010) may not enrol in this subject for credit.

Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Dr Graeme Coulson, Dr Kath Handasyde

Contact

Email: 654322@zoology.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject explores the techniques and methods of undertaking research in zoology with an emphasis on the terrestrial environment, including experimental and sampling design, data collection, statistical analysis of data, presentation of the research results and peer review. Students will participate in a group project, in which they will design, execute, analyse and interpret observational and experimental studies of animals in either natural or captive populations.

Objectives:

To provide students with an opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of the entire process of scientific research: from translating a general question in animal behaviour to a specific hypothesis about the relationship between measurable variables; developing an experimental or sampling design; collecting and analysing data; preparing an oral presentation and a draft written report; formally reviewing reports prepared by other students and revising their reports in line with the reviews provided by their colleagues; and finally submitting an individual report for assessment.

Assessment:

Field reports totalling up to 3000 words due during the semester (60%); a 1-hour written examination on practical knowledge in the examination period (40%).

Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge from observation and the literature, and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate results.

Students should develop their abilities to pose testable hypotheses, to devise appropriate sampling procedures and experimental designs, and to work in field situations.

Students should learn how to access information from the primary scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources, and gain experience in writing scientific reports and essays.

Notes: This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Animal Disease Biotechnology
Behavioural Ecology
Conservation and Australian Wildlife
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Reproduction and Development
Reproductive Physiology
Wildlife and Conservation
Zoology

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