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River Ecology & Ecosystem Management (GEOG30022)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines theories in the discipline of ecology and biogeography as they pertain to riverine environments, emphasising the use of theory to understand how to solve environmental management problems in river ecosystems. The subject examines the population, community and ecosystem dynamics of rivers, and the geographical distributions and diversities of the organisms that inhabit these ecosystems. Through practicals and fieldwork, students should develop an understanding of the relations between catchment characteristics, the nature of the water body and its associated biota. Students should become aware of the multidisciplinary nature of ecosystem management and the need for critical examination of ideas in the literature.
Intended learning outcomes
Students should be able to:
- understand the principles of ecology and biogeography as they relate to river ecosystems; and
- acquire, analyse and present data relating to catchment characteristics, water quality and quantity, and the biota of river ecosystems;
- understand some principles of flow in open channels;
- understand the processes that determine water quality and quantity and the ecological status of rivers;
- apply basic laboratory, computer and field methods for freshwater ecology.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in stream ecology and hydrology as they relate to environmental management;
- be able to design, conduct and report on original research based on field and/or laboratory investigation;
- work effectively in projects which require team-work; and
- conduct sample surveys and carry out basic quantification of water quantity and quality
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
At least one of the following, or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GEOG20009 | Landscapes and Diversity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
37.5 points of second year subjects.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Additional details
• Practical exercises completed primarily within practical classes in weeks 2-11: 30%
• A field research report of 2500 words due late May: 45%
• A group presentation on field research in groups of 6-8 students at the end of semester: 5%
• A 1-hour exam during the examination period: 20%
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Barbara Downes Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours of lectures, 10 3-hour practicals and up to 30 hours of fieldwork scheduled on weekends Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 12 February 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Contact Hours: 24 hours of lectures, 10 3-hour practicals and up to 30 hours of fieldwork scheduled on weekends Total Time Commitment: 170 hours
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/course-planning-and-advice
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Stream Hydrology: An Introduction for Ecologists, N.D. Gordon, T.A. McMahon, B.L. Finlayson, C.J. Gippel and R.J. Nathan, John Wiley & Sons, 2nd edition, 2004
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 degree and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Geography Course Master of Science (Geography) Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Physical Geography Major Integrated Geography Major Physical Geography Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Physical Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Environmental Science Major Environmental Geography Major Environmental Science Major Geography Major Geography - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
Last updated: 15 February 2024