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

Roseworthy Campus - Winter - 2020

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	Winter
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	Roseworthy Campus
Units	3
Contact	10 days during Winter Semester
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	BIOLOGY 1202 or BIOLOGY 1203RW
Quota	A quota will apply
Assessment	Theory examination, practical reports

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr David Taggart

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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,3,4
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1,2,3
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	1,2,3
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1,2
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	2
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	2,3

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

A combination of lectures, short field excursions and a field camp (five days).

Workload

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

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

Lectures
Strategic Management of Vertebrate Pests
The NRM Act and how it applies VPM in SAMr
Disease and Vertebrate Pests
Unintended Consequences of Vertebrate Pest Management
Impacts of Climate Change
Species included (but not limited to) - rabbits, deer, rodents, goats, pigs, camels, birds, foxes and cats.

Short Field Excursions
Identification of vertebrate pests and their impacts, and the management options available.
In particular we will focus on issues including rabbit, deer and southern hairy-nosed wombat impacts and management and the role of authorized officers.

Please note that the format of the Short Field Excursions will be online in 2020.

Field Camp
Impacts of a variety of vertebrate pest species including: rabbits, goats, foxes, dogs and kangaroos on the semi arid environment in this region.
Survey methods used to measure impact and the various tools available for controlling these vertebrate pest species.

Please note that the format of the Field Camp will be online in 2020.

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

Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.

Assessment task	Type of assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes or No or part of a combined hurdle	Objectives being assessed / achieved	Approximate Timing of Assessment
Essay	Formative & Summative	40%	No	1, 2, 4	Week 2
Theory Examination	Summative	60%	No	2	Week 3

Assessment Detail

Essay (40%)
Each University student will submit a 2000 word essay by 5pm on Friday the 17th July to David Taggart (david.taggart@adelaide.edu.au) based upon one of the vertebrate pest species discussed during the course (rabbits, rodents, foxes, cats, wild dogs, camels, wombats, kangaroos etc).

The essay will cover:
(i) the history and background on the pest species selected
(ii) critical steps / considerations in planning a control program for that pest species
(iii) the options and the steps involved in implementing a control program
(iv) monitoring the effectiveness of a control program on the vertebrate pest species you have selected and legislative responsibility and community expectations.

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

Submission

Late Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A mark of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.

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.
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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.

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