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Tropical Field Ecology (ZOOL30009)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (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.
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 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This fieldwork 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 $1500
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
Upon completion of this subject, students should have had the opportunity to engage in an authentic experience of the entire process of scientific research, including:
- 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 |
---|---|---|---|
ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ZOOL20006 | Comparative Animal Physiology | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who complete this subject cannot also gain credit for 654-309 Field Biology of Australian Wildlife (prior to 2010).
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
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
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Michael Kearney 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 26 July 2021 to 24 October 2021 Last self-enrol date 6 July 2021 Census date 31 August 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 September 2021 Assessment period ends 19 November 2021 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
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: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-bsc-continuing/quota-subjects
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 $1500 will be required.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students undertake fieldtrip experiences that will require them to be physically capable of undertaking outdoor fieldwork 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
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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 Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Elective subjects for B-BMED Major Zoology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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 (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.
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