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Tropical Field Ecology (ZOOL30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2020
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.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Fees | Look up fees |
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This field work subject takes place in the Daintree Rainforest Observatory in Northern Queensland, and 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.
The estimated additional cost of the field trip to the Daintree Rainforest, Northern Queensland, is in the vicinity of $1200
Students who require this subject in order to complete a major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, but who are experiencing financial difficulty should contact the subject coordinator to enquire about the possibility of scholarship support.
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
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 |
---|---|---|
Field reports totalling up to 3000 words
| During the teaching period | 60% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
An enrolment quota of 40 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 in the Daintree Rainforest Observatory, during the mid-semester break in late September. A student contribution of roughly $1200 will be required.
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 available 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.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Zoology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Informal specialisation Animal Disease Biotechnology specialisation Major Zoology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Commerce
- 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.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
- 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: 15 February 2024