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Management of Plant and Animal Invasions (NRMT90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Invasions are natural ecological phenomena. Dispersing individuals encounter suitable habitat, establish, spread and evolve. In this way, species have radiated outwards from their origins, colonised distant offshore islands, and species have spread in response to changes in climate.
Human-induced invasions of plants, animals and diseases in modern times have dramatically altered the scales of time and distance over which invasions take place. Their impacts can be considerable, wiping out unique communities, endangering rare species, adding considerable costs to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and having effects on the health, leisure and livelihoods of people. Tools such as pesticides and biological control can often be used to great effect, while for other invaders there are no obvious solutions. There may be unwanted side-effects of control methods on non-target species, they may adversely affect human health, and may cause considerable public concern. Integrated management strategies can be developed using ecological information about the species but these must be implemented in a real world that involves economics, politics, opinions and social interactions.
Intended learning outcomes
In this subject we will explore the underlying principles of biological invasions, analyse their impacts, discuss in detail the various control methods and consider their possible side effects Through developing a plan for a species of their choice, students learn to appreciate the interplay between science, technology, sociology and legislation in achieving successful management of invasive species.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have:
- skills in formulating and writing management plans;
- an ability to critically access different forms of information;
- an understanding of how management decisions must consider people and not just science
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Eligibility for postgraduate degree
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
One 4000 word report (80%, submitted in two parts: mid-semester and end of semester), a management plan for an invasive species of the student’s choice. 10 minutes oral presentation (15%) must be given towards the end of semester. One short report (300words maximum, 5%) commenting on the 3 best plans presented by the rest of the class will also be due at the end of semester.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Roger Cousens Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Lectures 2 hrs/week; one practical of 3 hrs; Tutorials 2 hrs/5 per semester; Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Contact Hours: Lectures 2 hrs/week; Practical 3 hrs; Tutorials 2 hrs/5 per semester.In addition, students will need to spend significant non-contact time researching and writing a major assignment (split into two parts); time will also be required to prepare a short oral presentation and a final one page report. Total Time Commitment: Not available
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- 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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022