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Marine Biodiversity and Biogeography (ECOL30007)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface and support an incredible diversity of life. This subject provides a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the biodiversity and biogeography of marine animals, plants and micro-organisms. It then explores the role that ecology and evolution play in shaping patterns of abundance, demography, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in the marine realm.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- identify common marine organisms to broad taxonomic groups using key diagnostic features and apply this knowledge to understand patterns of biodiversity and biogeography;
- construct an argument (written and verbal) for how ecological and evolutionary processes produce patterns of variation in abundance, distribution, diversity and biogeography within and among marine species;
- critically evaluate methods and study designs used in marine research;
- design an experiment appropriate for a given question in marine biology and interpret data from relevant studies;
- synthesise primary scientific literature to identify key knowledge gaps and opportunities in our understanding of marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; and
- effectively communicate key scientific concepts in marine biology and their real-world application in understanding patterns of abundance, demography, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in the marine realm through written presentations and class discussion.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the ability to understand current scientific literature, to identify knowledge gaps, and to explain the important concepts to non-scientists;
- the ability to critique methods and study designs used in research;
- the ability to read and synthesize current primary scientific literature and produce concise pieces of scientific writing; and
- the ability to approach and assimilate new knowledge from observation.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVSC20004 | Blue Planet - Intro to Marine Biology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
A minimum of one of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECOL20003 | Ecology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ZOOL20005 | Animal Structure and Function | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST20031 | Analysis of Biological Data | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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.
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
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Completion of assigned pre-class reading and writing tasks associated with five of six tutorials (100 words each). Due in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11.
| From Week 1 to Week 11 | 12.5% |
Two written reports (2 x 500 words) based on practical classes . First report due between weeks 6 to 8, and second report due between weeks 10 to 12.
| From Week 6 to Week 12 | 25% |
Mid-term written examination
| From Week 6 to Week 7 | 12.5% |
Written examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator John Morrongiello Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 42 hours, comprising of: 24 x 1 hour lectures, 6 x 1 hour tutorials, 4 x 3 hour practicals. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Environmental Science Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Zoology Major Environmental Science Major Zoology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Zoology Informal specialisation Zoology Major Marine Biology Breadth Track Marine Life - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- 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: 11 April 2024