Students

GSE 853 – Wildlife Management: Principles and Practices

2014 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Robert Harcourt
robert.harcourt@mq.edu.au
Contact via robert.harcourt@mq.edu.au
E8A 376
Other Staff
Katherine McClellan
katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Georgeanna Story
georgeanna.story@mq.edu.au
Contact via georgeanna.story@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MWldMgt or PGDipWldMgt or PGCertWldMgt or MMarScMgt or MSc in Biodiversity Conservation or PGDipSc in Biodiversity Conservation
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students will examine the basic principles of wildlife management and their application for contemporary management issues within Australia. Through case studies students will learn about issues such as pest management, threatened species management, wildlife harvesting, management at local and landscape scales, and management of wildlife within and outside reserves. On completion of the unit students will have gained an understanding of basic wildlife principles and issues, the principles of design, implementation and review of wildlife management programs, and the integration of wildlife research within management programs to meet commercial, cultural and biodiversity requirements.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
1 10% 24/3/2014
2 30% 21/4/2014
3 35% 26/5/2014
4 15% 16/6/2014
5 10% continuous

1

Due: 24/3/2014
Weighting: 10%

1000 word Essay / Report on "The role of Dingoes in Australia"
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

2

Due: 21/4/2014
Weighting: 30%

3000 word Essay/report on "Fire Management"
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

3

Due: 26/5/2014
Weighting: 35%

3500 word Scientific report / essay on "Population Dynamics and Harvesting"
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

4

Due: 16/6/2014
Weighting: 15%

1500 word essay/report on "Wildlife Management and Climate Change"
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

5

Due: continuous
Weighting: 10%

Participation in the online discussion forums
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery

GSE853 is offered as an online unit via distance education with the unit content available through Blackboard. Within the unit site you will have access to weekly lecture materials, reference lists, recommended websites, assessment tasks and other relevant materials. Entry to the unit is through the log on page at http://learn.mq.edu.au/. Use your 8 digit student number for your username. There are no on-campus sessions or scheduled field trips for this unit.  

 

Unit web page

Login to the unit through iLearn (http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/)  

 

Computing requirements

Students are required to be computer literate and possess basic skills in word processing, web searching and library use. Students are expected to either own, or have ready access to a suitable computer. The University provides email and web access to all students. The GSE has a teaching and computer laboratory E8A 341 where students can use computers when classes are not in session - check the timetable on the door. Information on specific software and hardware requirements and use of the university website can be found on the Technical Information page.

 

Examination Conditions

There are no examination requirements within this unit.

 

Required and Recommended Texts

Attiwill P and Wilson B 2006 Ecology: an Australian perspective Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

Copies of this text are available through the Co-Op Bookshop at Macquarie University http://www.coop-bookshop.com.au/bookshop

Unit Schedule

 

 

Week

Lecture

 

Tutorial

1

What is wildlife management?

     Orientation

2

Principles of wildlife management

     Species interactions

3

Ecological diversity

     Indicies of diversity

4

Management issues

     Fragmentation and management

5

Pest and weed management

     Weed control methods

6

Wildlife harvesting

     Population modeling

7

To be or not to be 'Threatened'

     Threatened species assessment

8

Reserves and wildlife management

     Management plan review

9

Management outside reserves

     Flying fox management

10

Management plans

   Application of plans

11

Management at the landscape scale

   Cross tenure management

12

Climate change and wildlife management

   Species translocation

13

Overview and conclusions

   Review

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 2
  • 3
  • 5

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 5

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts of wildlife management, legislation relevant to wildlife management and current wildlife management issues.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the techniques used to manage wild populations.
  • Develop an understanding of cultural and other social aspects influencing wildlife management and incorporate these issues into management plans.
  • Develop an understanding of population modeling techniques and their role in wildlife management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to review, critically evaluate and communicate an understanding of the scientific literature in the field of wildlife management.

Assessment tasks

  • 3
  • 5