ENV BIOL 2502 - Ecology II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ENV BIOL 2502 Course Ecology II Coordinating Unit Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 5 hours per week, plus field trip Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible ENV BIOL 2005 Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1401 or BIOLOGY 1001 or BIOLOGY 1202 Assessment Practical, field work, exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Ivan Nagelkerken
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
A successful student in this course should be able to: 1 Understand and apply fundamental ecological concepts; 2 Analyse simple ecological problems using conceptual frameworks; 3 Understand the basic requirements of the design of ecological studies 4 Interpret graphs and tables reporting results of ecological studies 5 Demonstrate knowledge of the basic statistical tools used to analyse the data obtained in ecological studies 6 Conduct simple searches of ecological literature in journals devoted to the discipline of Ecology 7 Report results of ecological studies in a clear, precise, and succinct way. 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) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
4, 6, 7 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4, 7 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ,7 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
7 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
2, 5, 6, 7 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS
There is no textbook required for this course. While many books provide a good coverage of the main topics approached during lectures, they are not an alternative to attending to the lectures and taking good notes.
Most advanced Ecology textbooks provide a reasonable coverage of the topics included in the course, but the emphases and examples will be determined by the lecturers. Reading the same topic from different sources is recommended for better understanding of complex concepts. Some books worth considering are:
Krebs, C. J. Ecology. The experimental analysis of distribution and abundance. 5th edition. Benjamin Cummings.
Morin, P.J. Community Ecology. Blackwell Science.
Attwill, P. and B. Wilson (eds.). Ecology. An Australian perspective. 2nd edition. Oxford.
Begon, M. Townsend, C.A. and J.L. Harper. Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems, 4th edition. Blackwell Science
Lecture outlines and recordings of the actual lectures will be available through MyMedia. Please note that this material (particularly Lecture outlines alone) is not an alternative to attendance at lectures. For specific aspects of the course there will be Discussion Boards set up in MyUni. Their use is strongly encouraged to enhance the learning experience. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course uses a combination of lectures, practicals and field work. Attendance at lectures is highly recommended; attendance at the field trips and practicals is mandatory as they are neccessary for the data collection and data analyses that form part of the practical assignments and the field data report. There is a component of directed practicals (sampling and data analyses) and directed group field work followed by independent reporting.
Lectures: 2 x 1-hour lectures per week
Practicals:1 x 3-hour practical per week - selected weeks only
Field Trips: 3 x one-day field trips - selected weeks only. Students unable to attend field trips will receive an alternative desk-top assignment.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
Learning Activities Summary
Lectures
Week 1 Sampling and experimental design
Week 2 Population dynamics
Week 3 Population structure
Week 4 Community dynamics
Week 5 Factors that control diversity
Week 6 Resources, competition & Predation
Week 7 Food webs and trophic interactions
Week 8 Nutrients and energy in the ecosystem
Week 9 Ecosystem management: freshwater ecology
Week 10 Spatial ecology
Week 11 Ecological management / TERN
Week 12 Spatial ecological processing
Field Trips
3 x one-day field trip (dates to be announced at start of the course)
Practicals
Week 1 Sampling ecological systems
Week 3 Managing data
Week 5 Statistical analyses
Week 9 Scales of ecological patterns, drone mission
Week 11 GIS and spatial data
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Assessment
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 Task Type Hurdle Weighting Learning Outcome Final Exam Summative No
40% 1,2,4 Practicals Formative No 40% 3,4,5,6 Field Data (or Desktop) Report
Formative/Summative
No20% 3,4,5,6,7 Assessment Detail
Practicals
There will be four lab quizzes in practical sessions that will be worth a total of 40%. Quizzes will be short answer written quizzes ~20 minutes in duration. Written feedback will be provided in the following practical.
Field report (or Desktop assignment)
There will be a field report and a field trip diary worth 20% in total. Assignments are to be submitted using TurnItIn. Students unable to attend field trips will receive an alternative desk-top assignment.
Exam
A 3-hour exam at the end of semester exam period which will draw on material from both lectures and practicals. It will require simple calculations, but it will not involve computing.Submission
All assignments must be SUBMITTED BY THE DUE DATE and accompanied by the corresponding Cover sheet, signed. They are available from the Course MyUni site. If your assignment is late, email the course coordinator.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Co-ordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time.
Late Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
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- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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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