Experimental Marine Biology

Subject ZOOL30008 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

February, 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

An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject.
Practical work will be undertaken at the Victorian Marine Science Consortium laboratories in Queenscliff, operated by the Faculty of Science, over 6 days in Summer.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Ten lectures and 50 hours practical and tutorial work.
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours
Prerequisites:

One of

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
  • 654-201 Invertebrate Structure and Function (prior to 2009)
  • 654-312 Marine Ecology (prior to 2010)
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Students who have received credit for 654-302 Experimental Marine Ecology (prior to 2010) may not enrol in this subject for credit.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in practical class and 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. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Stephen Swearer, Prof Michael Keough

Contact

Email: ZOOL30008@zoology.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject explores the techniques and methods of undertaking marine biological research, 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 marine animals in field and laboratory settings.
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 marine biology to a specific testable hypothesis; developing an experimental sampling design; collecting and analysing data; preparing 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:

Written work totalling up to 5000 words, including a report on practical work (60%), peer-review assessment (20%), and response to reviewer's comments (20%), due during first semester immediately following the summer semester in which the subject was undertaken.
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 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.

This subject was previously known as 654-321 Experimental Marine Zoology (prior to 2011)

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ecology (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Marine Biology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses
Zoology
Related Breadth Track(s): Marine Life

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