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Field Biology of Australian Wildlife (ZOOL30009)
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 2
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This field work subject provides an overall perspective on the biology of Australian terrestrial animals, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. A key aim is for students to gain experience in designing and conducting a research project on wild animal populations and then preparing a journal style manuscript reporting their findings. Thus they should develop skills in analysing, interpreting and evaluating data and integrating their findings with existing literature and knowledge. Students should also develop skills in detection, population survey, capture, handling, collection of standard morphometric data and identification of wildlife, and assessment of behaviour, reproductive status etc. They will apply these research methods to animals in the wild, and integrate this with knowledge of the biology of these taxa.
Intended learning outcomes
To provide students with an opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of the entire process of scientific research: from translating a general question in animal ecology, behaviour etc., to a specific hypothesis about the relationship between measurable variables; developing an experimental or sampling design; collecting and analysing data; preparing an oral presentation and a draft written report; formally reviewing reports prepared by other students and revising their reports in line with the reviews provided by their colleagues; and finally submitting an individual report for assessment.
Generic skills
This subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge from observation and the literature, an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate results and working in collaborative teams. The practical and ethical constraints of working on wild animals under field conditions will be emphasized.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Two of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who have received credit for 654-309 Field Biology of Australian Wildlife (prior to 2010) may not enrol in this subject for credit.
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
Field reports totalling up to 3000 words due during the semester (60%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kath Handasyde Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Four lectures, 60 hours practical work and an oral presentation during a week-long Field-trip held in the mid-semester break in late September. One pre-camp meeting, two tutorials - one pre-camp and one post-camp and an oral presentation on campus post-camp. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 July 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 48 students (in undergraduate and post-graduate offering) 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 is taught during a field camp off-campus. Practical work and lectures will be conducted at a field station at Boho South in the Strathbogie Ranges, during the mid-semester break in late September.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students undertake field trip experiences that will require them to be physically capable of undertaking outdoor field work in remote locations. This subject involves the use of animals - exemption is not possible, however some research projects, that do not use animals, are avaliable for those with strong philosophical objections - this must be discussed with the coordinator.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.
This subject was previously known as 654-322 Experimental Wildlife Zoology (prior to 2011)
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Zoology Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Animal Disease Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology - 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