Ecology of Urban Landscapes

Subject EVSC30006 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: up to 12 hours of practicals, 24 lectures, 2 field trips
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

Either:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
12.50

OR

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.50

and an additional 25 points of 200 level subjects.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/. Email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Nicholas Williams

Contact

nsw@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in an increasingly urbanised world. This subject will introduce students to urban ecology and landscape ecology concepts and illustrate how they can be applied to plan and design more ecologically sustainable human landscapes. Topics include the concept of scale in ecology, land transformation and habitat fragmentation, the structure and components of landscapes, patterns and processes along urban-rural gradients, the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and strategies to mitigate them.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course students should be able to

  • Characterise the components of landscapes
  • Outline the causes and consequences of land transformation and habitat fragmentation
  • Understand the processes that operate in landscapes and how urbanisation may affect them
  • Discuss implications of ecological principles for planning and design of sustainable urban landscapes
Assessment:
  • Major Assignment. Written report suggesting and analysing measures to retrofit an urban area (visited on the field trip) for ecological sustainability (2500 words, weeks 8-12) (30%)
  • Practical reports 750 words each (Weeks 3 and 6) (30%)
  • Final Exam (1.5 hours, end of semester) (40%)
Prescribed Texts:

A reading pack will be prepared

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:
  • Ability to access and critically analyse published literature
  • Ability to collect and analyse data
  • Written and oral communication skills
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental Science
Environmental Science major
Environments Discipline subjects
Landscape Ecosystem Management major
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
Selective subjects for B-BMED
Urban Design and Planning major
Related Breadth Track(s): Greening Urban Landscapes
Natural systems and our designed world

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