Methods for Forest & Ecosystem Research

This subject is not offered in 2011.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Understanding the principles of scientific method, experimental design, and sound data evaluation capability is crucial for successful research in forest and ecosystem science. The subject should expand understanding of scientific method, experimental design, statistics, and data evaluation and presentation in students undertaking research in forest and ecosystem science.

On completion of the subject, students should be:

• able to formulate testable research hypotheses in forest and ecosystem science;

• competent in experimental design for both laboratory and field-based research in forest and ecosystem science;

• aware of the problems associated with field-based, ecological research such as limitations in replication;

• able to design effective experiments to address their research questions and test a well-stated hypothesis;

• able to understand the statistical principles of data evaluation and presentation in forest and ecosystem science; and

• able to effectively communicate scientific results orally and know how to structure a paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50%), and a semester project (3000 words and oral presentation, 50%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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