Field Biology of Australian Wildlife

Subject 654-309 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

September, - 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

Lectures, tutorial and practical work (including a field trip)

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 including a week-long field trip during the mid-semester break
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours total time commitment.
Prerequisites:

654-202 and 654-204 (prior to 2009).

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
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. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Dr Kath Handasyde
Subject Overview:

This subject provides a field course on the ecology of Australian vertebrates: marsupials, monotremes, eutherians, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Students will develop skills in detection and survey of wildlife populations, as well as techniques for monitoring (such as radio telemetry). Students will also be given hands-on training in the capture, handling and identification of wildlife, together with collection of standard morphometric data, assessment of reproductive status, and analysis of behaviour, habitat and diet. A major emphasis will be the application of these methods to research into the ecology and management of wildlife populations.

Objectives: .
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
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 gain practical experience in conducting research on wild animal populations, and an ability to integrate their findings with existing literature and knowledge. The practical and ethical constraints of working on wild animals under field conditions will be emphasised. Students should also develop skills in analysing, interpreting and evaluating data, and gain experience in writing scientific reports.
Notes:

Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

Experiments involving the use of animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible.

Formerly 654-309 Field Biology of Australian Marsupials and Monotremes .

An enrolment quota of 50 students applies to this subject this year.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Conservation and Australian Wildlife
Reproduction and Development
Zoology

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