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Australian Wildlife Biology (ZOOL20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 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 |
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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
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the diversity of the Australian fauna, and the types of animals in the major taxonomic groups, including classes and families
- explain diverse aspects of the biology and ecology of the major Australian wildlife groups
- conduct field observations and record appropriate notes and data to allow species identification based on morphology and behaviour.
- collect, interpret and evaluate scientific data to write a report that synthesises and graphically represents main findings
- demonstrate effective and appropriate use of the scientific literature to support or refute claims and arguments related to the ecology and evolution of Australian wildlife
- relate knowledge acquired in class about Australian wildlife to scientific evidence and communicate this in an accessible way to peers and the general public
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: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Individual written worksheets (300 words) and a short practical report (700 words) based on excursions
| From Week 1 to Week 9 | 25% |
An individual test comprising short written answers and multiple-choice questions
| From Week 6 to Week 7 | 20% |
A written take-home examination
| During the examination period | 30% |
Individual wildlife blog (to be completed through the semester)
| From Week 2 to Week 12 | 25% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Raoul Mulder Mode of delivery On Campus (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 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
Estimated total time commitment of 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.
- 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 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.
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