Biosecurity: Managing Invasive Species (NRMT90002)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Invasions are natural ecological phenomena. Dispersing individuals encounter suitable habitat, establish, spread and evolve. In this way, species have radiated outwards from their origins, colonised distant offshore islands, and species have spread in response to changes in climate.
Human-induced invasions of plants, animals and diseases in modern times have dramatically altered the scales of time and distance over which invasions take place. Their impacts can be considerable, wiping out unique communities, endangering rare species, adding considerable costs to agriculture, horticulture and forestry, and having effects on the health, leisure and livelihoods of people. Tools such as pesticides and biological control can often be used to great effect, while for other invaders there are no obvious solutions. There may be unwanted side-effects of control methods on non-target species, they may adversely affect human health, and may cause considerable public concern. Integrated management strategies can be developed using ecological information about the species but these must be implemented in a real world that involves economics, politics, opinions and social interactions.
Intended learning outcomes
In this subject students will:
- explore the underlying principles of biological invasions and analyse their impacts;
- discuss in detail the various control methods and consider their possible side effects;
- develop a plan for a species of their choice; and
- learn to appreciate the interplay between science, technology, sociology and legislation in achieving successful management of invasive species.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have:
- skills in formulating and writing management plans;
- an ability to critically access different forms of information;
- an understanding of how management decisions must consider people and not just science.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-ENV Master of Environment
- MC-AGSC Master of Agricultural Sciences
- MC-ENVSC Master of Environmental Science
- MC-SCIBIO Master of Science (BioSciences)
- MC-SCIECO Master of Science (Ecosystem Science)
- GD-URBHORT Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture
- GD-AGSC Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences
- GC-AGSC Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
One report (submitted in two parts: mid-semester and end of semester)
| During the teaching period | 80% |
A management plan for an invasive species of the student's choice. An oral presentation must be given towards the end of semester.
| Late in the teaching period | 15% |
One short report (300 words maximum) commenting on the 3 best plans presented by the rest of the class
| End of the teaching period | 5% |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Andrew Robinson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Lectures 2 hrs/week; one practical of 3 hrs; Tutorials 2 hrs/5 per semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
In addition, students will need to spend significant non-contact time researching and writing a major assignment (split into two parts); time will also be required to prepare a short oral presentation and a final one page report.
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: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Urban Horticulture Course Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences Course Master of Urban Horticulture Course Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences Informal specialisation Landscape Management - 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: 4 March 2025