Ecology in Changing Environments

Subject ECOL30006 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

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

This subject is not offered in 2014.

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:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50
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:

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 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/

Contact

Email: ECOL30006@zoology.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Its underlying theme is the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, their life history characteristics and how these traits are impacted by changing environmental conditions. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution and ecosystemstability and resilience. The skills developed in this subject provide an essential grounding for careers in ecology.

Learning Outcomes:

The primary objectives of this subject are learning how:

1) To access primary scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources;

2) To read, understand, and critically evaluate relevant contemporary literature in ecology;

3) To design experiments and interpret data; and

4) To use computer-based modeling and simulations to investigate contemporary issues in ecology.

Assessment:

Tutorial participation (10%); three written reports totalling up to 1000 words each during throughout the semester (30%); 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 Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Conservation and Australian Wildlife (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Ecology (pre-2008 Bachelor of Science)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental Engineering Systems major
Genetics
Genetics
Genetics
Geography Major
Marine Biology
Science credit subjects* for pre-2008 BSc, BASc and combined degree science courses
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
Zoology
Zoology
Zoology

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