Ecology in Changing Environments

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

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Students who have received credit for 654-313 Ecology in Changing Environments (prior to 2010) may not enrol in this subject for credit.

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/

This subject explores 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 ecosystem stability and resilience. The skills developed in this subject provide an essential grounding for careers in ecology.

The primary objectives of this subject are learning how to:

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

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

3) design experiments and interpret data; and

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

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%).

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This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

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.

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.

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.