Ecology in Changing Environments

Subject ECOL30006 (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 1, 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: 2 x one hour lectures per week; 24 hours of tutorial/practical classes during the semester
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites:

Both of

OR

One of

  • 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations (prior to 2009)
  • 606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems (prior to 2009)

Plus one of

  • 654-201 Invertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009)
  • 654-202 Vertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have received credit for 654-313 Ecology in Changing Environments (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

Assoc Prof Stephen Swearer, Dr Michael Kearney

Contact

Email: 654324@zoology.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject provides students with an essential grounding for careers in ecology, wildlife biology and conservation. Its underlying theme is the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, and their life history characteristics. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution, ecological genetics, and ecosystem stability and resilience.

Objectives:

An important focus of this subject is learning to read, understand, and critically evaluate relevant contemporary literature in evolutionary ecology. Students will become practised at accessing scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources, and gain experience in scientific writing.

Assessment:

Written essay and short-answer assignment work totaling up to 3000 words due during the semester (40%); a 1-hour written examination held mid-semester (20%); a 2-hour written examination 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:

The subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and to communicate that knowledge to a broad audience.

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: Behavioural Ecology
Conservation and Australian Wildlife
Ecology
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Genetics
Marine Biology
Marine Biology
Physical (Environmental Engineering) Systems
Reproductive Physiology
Wildlife and Conservation
Zoology

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