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ECOL204 Ecological Methods

Updated: 16 January 2013
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
13 April 2013 16 April 2013 Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites BIOL110 and BIOL120 and STAT100
Co-requisites ECOL203 or ECOL210 or candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions ECOL404 or EM331 or EM531
Notes None
Combined Units ECOL404 - Ecological Methods
Coordinator(s) Stuart Cairns (scairns@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

A fundamental skill in ecology is the ability to collect and analyse biological data efficiently and correctly. The correct methods depend on the research question, available resources (equipment, time and money), and the logistic constraints of survey/experimental design. This unit links sampling methods and survey designs for assessing changes along ecological gradients with suitable techniques for data analysis and presentation. Topics: the fundamental requirements (e.g., randomisation, replication) of survey and experimental designs, types of ecological data, commonly-used methods to sample plants and animals, and technical skills for field surveys. How to present and analyse ecological data with a focus on correct interpretation of the results and the limitations of the sampling and analytical methods is also covered.
Important Information

Where calculators are permitted in examinations, it must be selected from an approved list, which can be accessed from the Further Information link below.

Further information
Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
3 x Quiz worth 5% each 15%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Assignment 1 15% 1200
Assessment Notes
Lab Report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Assignment 2 15% 1200
Assessment Notes
Field Report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Assignment 3 15% 1200
Assessment Notes
Experimental Report
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Final Examination 2 hrs 40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. design a survey or ecological experiment with adequate replication and randomisation, and identify potential flaws in design, sampling methods and analysis;
  2. survey environmental variables, plants and animals in a standard, rigorous way using conventional methods in the field;
  3. apply these methods to assessing changes along ecological gradients (e.g., altitude, latitude, human disturbance);
  4. use graphical packages and computing software in the environmental sciences with confidence;
  5. plot, analyse and interpret data from ecological surveys and experiments using conventional graphical and statistical techniques.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students are given lectures, notes and practicals from practitioners that are at the leading edge of the discipline of ecology. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students are given assignments that demonstrate sound scientific writing. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students learn about the global implications of the interactions that drive the distribution and abundance of all biota. 		True
4 Information Literacy
Students are given assignments that utilise extensive scientific literature. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students learn that scientific knowledge requires the constant testing of new ideas. 		True
6 Problem Solving
Students are given problems that are designed to induce thinking challenges and these are resolved using ecological examples. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Students learn that scientific advocacy and environmental advocacy are related and those sound scientific knowledge are best place to be advocates for the environment. 		True
8 Team Work
Students work together in groups for practicals and to present group results to the class. 		True True True
   

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