ANIML SC 3019RW - Ecology and Management of Vertebrate Pests III

Roseworthy Campus - Summer - 2014

This course strongly emphasises the field application of vertebrate pest control techniques and provides the theoretical bases for these techniques. Topics covered are the biology and ecology of vertebrate pests; the damage caused by pest animals; the legislative and administrative aspects of vertebrate pest control; district organisations; extension; vertebrate pest control practice. Note: There is a 5 day field trip as a compulsory component of this course.

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Course Details

Course Code	ANIML SC 3019RW
Course	Ecology and Management of Vertebrate Pests III
Coordinating Unit	School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Term	Summer
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Units	3
Contact	10 days during Summer semester
Assumed Knowledge	BIOLOGY 1202 or BIOLOGY 1203RW
Quota	A quota will apply
Assessment	Exam, practical reports

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Philip Stott

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	understand the biological parameters that underpin the application of control techniques to pest populations
2	apply pest control techniques
3	comprehend the environmental and agricultural imperatives for pest control
4	comprehend the welfare implications of pest control

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 3, 4
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	2
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-4
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-4
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	4

Learning Resources

Recommended Resources

The main reference book referred to in class is:
Olsen, P. (1998) Australia’s Pest Animals: New Solutions to Old Problems. Bureau of Resources Sciences, Canberra.
Copies of this book (and other useful books) are available in the Roseworthy Library. Copies will also be available on the field trip.
Access to field trip location
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

An intensive course during the last three weeks of the summer semester.

The first week is presented on the Roseworthy campus, the second week is presented as a compulsory 5 day field camp assessed in the specified assignments, and the third week is a non-contact week for assignment work and for the examination. Some lectures, tutorials, and practical exercises are presented during the field camp.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in this course will be expected to attend each scheduled day of activities (approx 8hrs per day) for the formal contact time required for the course (e.g., lectures and practicals). In addition, a student will have to undertake non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision) for the preparation of the assignment and revision for the exam.

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

Specific Course Requirements

Compulsory 5 Day Field Camp involving practical work and demonstrations

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Type of assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes or No or part of a combined hurdle	Outcomes being assessed / achieved	Approximate Timing of Assessment
Practical reports	Formative & Summative	40%	No	1, 2, 4	3rd week of course
Theory Examination	Summative	60%	No	2	End of Course

Assessment Detail

Practical Reports completed during the non-contact week. Three reports of equal value totalling 40%:

An assessment of a rabbit infestation (map and 1000 words)
Planning a fox control program (map and 1000 words)
Natural resources management board operations (1500 words)
These are to be completed during the non-contact week (week 3)

Theory exam (60%). A 2.5 hour theory examination is provided on the Friday of the third week.

Submission

Penalty Clauses (eg. Late assignments)

Reports which are late, without medical or compassionate grounds, will NOT be marked and a score of 0 will be entered on the mark sheet. Extensions of deadlines may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Extensions of deadlines should be negotiated with the course coordinator before the assignment is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/current/

Hand-in/Pick-up Location and Recording Procedures

Assignments can be submitted either as hard copies or electronically via email to the course co-ordinator. All hard copies of reports must be handed into the course collection box at the Reception Desk in the Williams Building, Roseworthy Campus, on or before the due time and date. Late reports (without an approved application for extension attached) will not be picked up and will not be marked. All reports should have a signed cover sheet (available on MyUni and at the Reception Desk) attached to your report.

Provision of Feedback to Students

Marked reports will be returned as soon as possible after the due date. Feedback on assignments will be via annotations on reports. Should students wish to have verbal feedback on assignments an appointment should be made with the course coordinator. Any assessment items not collected by the end of the examination period for Semester 1 will be destroyed

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator