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ENV201 - Introductory Ecology

2024

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Environmental Science

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

ENV102

Unit Description

This unit provides an introduction to ecology at the population, community and ecosystems levels. It provides a foundation for the study of ecology and environmental science at more advanced levels by covering fundamental concepts relating to species distributions; population growth and regulation; species interactions; biodiversity and conservation biology. Emphasis is on examples from Australian animal and plant communities particularly in tropical and arid environments.

Students will have the opportunity to learn field techniques and apply their understanding of ecological theory during a three day field component which is strongly recommended for internal and external students. Students who are unable to attend will view a video of key activities from past trips and can access all needed data via the Learnline site.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Access and interpret ecological studies published in the scientific literature based on understanding of some of the major theories that underpin the discipline of ecology.
2.	Identify important ecological patterns at population, community and ecosystem levels, and describe the ecological processes that result in these patterns.
3.	Analyse and interpret basic life-history and population data and demonstrate an understanding of how populations change over time.
4.	Apply basic methods for collecting ecological field data
5.	Identify and describe the social context in which ecologists operate and describe how this relates to the management of ecosystems.
6.	Effectively communicate ecological information and analysis in written form according to scientific conventions.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Population ecology (short answers; total of 1,750 words)	15%	1,2,3
2.	Community ecology (short answers; total of 1,750 words)	15%	1,2,4
3.	Field report and data analysis calculations (technical report format; total of 3,000 words and excel workbook)	50%	1,2,5,6
4.	Tutorials (short answers; 6 x 150 words)	20%	1,2,4,5

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