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ECOL402 Marine and Freshwater Ecology

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 2 Off Campus B - Internet access required
Armidale Semester 2 On Campus B - Internet access required
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
05 July 2010 08 July 2010 Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions ECOL202 or ECOL502
Notes None
Combined Units ECOL202 - Marine and Freshwater Ecology
Coordinator(s) Darren Ryder (dryder2@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

Water covers over 75% of the globe and is essential to all life. This unit focuses on how physical, chemical, and biological components of marine and freshwater ecosystems function and interact. Ecological parallels and contrasts between marine and freshwater habitats are explored along gradients (fresh to salty, land to water). The unit begins by comparing the physical and ecological features of freshwater and marine habitats, the types of plants and animals in these habitats and the roles they play in fundamental ecological processes such as organic matter cycling. These ecological principles are linked to practical skills of sampling water quality and biota from a range of aquatic ecosystems. The unit concludes by reviewing how ecological principles can help manage the impacts of human activities on our oceans, estuaries, rivers and wetlands.
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Australian Freshwater Ecology: Processes and Management
ISBN: 9781875553051
Boulton, A. and Brock, M., Gleneagles Publishing 1st ed. 1999
Note: Available from the Ecosystems Management Office, UNE
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Marine Ecology
ISBN: 9780195553024
Connell, S.D. and Gillanders, B.M., Oxford University Press 2007
Text refers to: Semester 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 15% 800
Assessment Notes
Habitat assessment outline
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-7
Project 30% 2500
Assessment Notes
Project report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1-8
Project 2 15% 1000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA: 1-7
Final Examination 2 hrs 40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-6 GA: 1-7

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand and explain how physical and chemical features in marine and freshwater ecosystems interact and influence plants, animals and ecological processes such as organic matter dynamics;
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the significance of the need for and correct use of appropriate equipment and methods to sample water quality and biota from a range of aquatic ecosystems;
  3. predict and appreciate the likely outcomes of changes to land-water linkages and gradients of salinity on plants, animals and ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems;
  4. apply this knowledge and understanding to manage marine and freshwater ecosystems in an ecologically sustainable manner;
  5. apply problem solving skills to management issues in aquatic ecosystems; and
  6. interpret and analyse data collected from field sampling, and prepare a scientific paper on results.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are required to read literature on marine and freshwater ecology and management. Practical skills are obtained for sampling these systems during field trips. Students apply this knowledge and skills through team-based exercises, assignments and examination. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students are specifically trained in oral presentation skills as part of an assessment item as they are required to communicate the design and results from group projects to the rest of the class. Written communication is taught, practiced, and assessed in relation to media release critique, project proposals and scientific report. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students examine ecology, management and modelling of freshwater, estuarine and marine systems from around the world. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are instructed, assessed, and expected to demonstrate research capacity in written assignments and utilise a wide range of sources. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students are instructed in, assessed and practice learning skills that will be useful to them beyond the unit of learning. 		True True True
6 Problem Solving
Students undertake a major assignment that challenges them to relate a theoretical model of river function to a field-based example, a process that involves extensive problem solving. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students are exposed to the concept of social responsibility and required to exhibit social responsibility in group discussions and when undertaking group work. 		True True True
8 Team Work
Students are given training in team skills and perspectives. Students subsequently work in teams in practical and class activities such as weekly tutorials, and within their major field-based assignment. 		True True True
   

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