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Ecology (ECOL20003)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to four major ecological questions that can be addressed at the levels of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. Making use of aquatic and terrestrial examples, topics include organisms and the physical environment, life histories, population growth and regulation, managing populations, theoretical models, species interactions, community change and energy flows. The practical component will emphasise approaches to the collection and analysis of ecological data, and how to interpret and write scientific papers.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students should have an appreciation of four major questions in ecology and the ways in which they can be addressed: What determines the distribution of individuals of a species? What controls the abundance of populations of a species? What determines the richness and diversity of species in a community? What governs the turnover of matter and energy in an ecosystem?
Generic skills
This subject should develop generic skills in: reading, assimilating and writing about scientific information; working in small groups; asking realistic scientific questions; and collecting analysing and interpreting scientific data.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10005 | Genetics & The Evolution of Life | No longer available | |
BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ENVS10001 | Natural Environments | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10003 | Genes and Environment | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Some experience with data analysis (MAST20031, or equivalent)
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.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and fieldwork activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support. Students are required to independently travel to fieldwork sites.
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A written practical report totalling up to 10 pages
| During the teaching period | 30% |
Ongoing assessment of practical exercises and laboratory problems | During the teaching period | 25% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 45% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinators Allyson O'Brien and Barbara Downes Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x three hour practical class per week; one full day excursion during the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
C R Townsend et al, Essentials of Ecology, 3rd Ed. Blackwell, 2008
- 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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Botany Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Zoology Major Environmental Science Major Botany Major Environmental Geography Major Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Landscape Ecosystem Management Major Zoology Breadth Track Australian Wildlife Breadth Track Greening Urban Landscapes Breadth Track Ecology, Evolution and Humanity Breadth Track Ecology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024