Skip navigation to main content

You are here: UNE Home / Course and Unit Catalogue / 2012 / A-Z / EM553

Sub sections:

Quick Search

Quick Links

Year:

EM553 Conservation Biology

Updated: 11 October 2011
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
17 April 2012 20 April 2012 Mandatory Mandatory attendance for on-campus and off-campus students
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions EM353 or EM422 or EM453 or EM522
Notes None
Combined Units EM353 - Conservation Biology
Coordinator(s) Karl Vernes (kvernes@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit covers the principles and practice of biological conservation. Topics include: assessment of species conservation status and management priorities; patterns and causes of rarity, extinction and decline; re-introductions; captive breeding; conservation genetics; biodiversity; threat analysis and mitigation; effects of fragmentation and isolation; conservation evaluation - issues include the viability and management of ecological reserves and conservation policy and attitudes.
Referenced Material
Optional 		Text(s):

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

Practical Conservation Biology
ISBN: 9780643090897
Lindenmayer, D. and Burgman, M., CSIRO Publishing 2005
Note: Also available as an e-book via the Dixson Library
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , 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 30% 1500
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA:1-6
Assignment 2 30% 3000
Assessment Notes
Practical Report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-4 GA: 1-6
Assignment 3 40% 3000
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-6 GA: 1-6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. evaluate and appreciate the conservation status of species and ecological communities;
  2. critically research and evaluate conservation biology literature;
  3. understand and explain the principles of small and declining population theories;
  4. prepare a scientific report or essay that critically discusses and evaluates the key issues of a scientific question;
  5. understand and explain the principles of reserve selection; and
  6. demonstrate the skills necessary to critically review, appreciate, appraise and communicate literature of relevance.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
The concepts and skills underpinning the discipline will be Taught, Assessed and Practised through the unit learning objectives and applied in different contexts. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Via an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Via an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments and in lectures dealing in global conservation issues. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Via the researching for written assignments, in scientific, literature and government documents and websites. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Skills are imparted that allow students to understand current and future environmental issues and how to access relevant knowledge. 		True True True
6 Problem Solving
Problem Solving is taught and practised in laboratory classes, assessed through practical reports 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Through an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments. 		True True
8 Team Work
Through an international lobbying session where students represent delegates from NGOS and governments. 		True True
   

Email to a friend