Handbook home
Ecology (ECOL20003)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the major ecological questions that can be addressed at the levels of individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. 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?
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 reports.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- explain the hierarchical structure of ecological systems, and why ecological systems change over time and space;
- define and explain core ecological terms, concepts, and theories, including the role of scale;
- demonstrate an ability to apply ecological reasoning to new situations;
- collect and record ecological data; and
- use basic analytical techniques to understand and communicate ecological data.
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: 7 September 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL10001 | Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| BIOL10010 | Introductory Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOL10011 | Biology: Life's Complexity | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ENVS10001 | Natural Environments | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| BIOM10002 | Exploring Biomedicine | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
OR
Pre-2021: One of
- BIOL10003 - Genes and Environment
- BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms
- BIOL10005 - Genetics and The Evolution of Life
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: 7 September 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Six (6) in-class or online quizzes, held fortnightly
| Throughout the semester | 15% |
In-class peer review of practical worksheets
| From Week 1 to Week 4 | 10% |
Peer review of project methods
| Week 6 | 10% |
Final project report
| Week 11 | 25% |
Written final exam
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 7 September 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Ben Phillips Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 2 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x 0.5 hours of online lectures per week, 1 x three hour practical class per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 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: 7 September 2023
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 Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Botany Major Environmental Geography Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Engineering Systems Major Landscape Ecosystem Management Informal specialisation Plant Science Major Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Breadth Track Australian Wildlife Breadth Track Ecology Breadth Track Ecology, Evolution and Humanity Breadth Track Greening Urban Landscapes - 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.
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: 7 September 2023