Australian Wildlife Biology (ZOOL20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce students to the biology of Australia's vertebrate fauna with an emphasis on ecology and behaviour of frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals. There will be particular focus on the adaptations of the fauna to the unique and uncertain nature of the Australian terrestrial environment. A variety of topics will be discussed including diversity of Australian vertebrate groups in comparison to other parts of the world; the impact of human activities and introduced animals on native fauna; wildlife diseases; and the ethics associated with research and experimentation on animals.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students should have:
- an appreciation of the diversity, natural history and uniqueness of a broad range of Australian wildlife;
- a sound knowledge of the interactions between wildlife and natural and human-modified environments.
Generic skills
This subject builds upon generic skills developed in first-year subjects, including an ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge and an ability to use that knowledge to evaluate and communicate ideas.
Upon completion of this subject students should have:
- learned how to observe critically and to use the results of those observations to pose and answer theoretical questions and to solve practical problems;
- gained experience in mastering the terminology of a scientific field and then in using that mastery to access an established body of scientific literature and material;
- developed the ability to critically evaluate questions and issues in that scientific field;
- learned how to collect and interpret data in field situations and write this up as a scientific report.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
a minimum of 50 credit points of Level 1 subjects
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.
This subject includes a number of off-campus excursions (maximum duration: 4.5 hours), during which students will conduct surveys on wildlife in urban parks. 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.
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: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Practical work including practical notebook and written reports on excursions
| During the teaching period | 40% |
A test comprising short written answers and multiple choice | Mid semester | 10% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Raoul Mulder Coordinator Iliana Medina Guzman Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week (some lecture slots may include workshop activities or films); 1 x three to four and a half hour practical class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 12 March 2021 Census date 31 March 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Elective subjects for B-BMED Breadth Track Australian Wildlife - 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 (Production)
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
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
Last updated: 9 April 2025