Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
David Nipperess
Contact via david.nipperess@mq.edu.au
E8B105
Unit Convenor
Robert Harcourt
Contact via robert.harcourt@mq.edu.au
E8A272
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
Co-taught with BIOL861
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit deals with the theory and practice of the conservation of wild populations, with an emphasis on Australasian vertebrates. Lectures discuss the origins, diversity and evolutionary adaptations of the Australasian vertebrate fauna; current and emerging threats; and the theoretical aspects of wildlife conservation. Practical skills, including computer modelling, population monitoring, animal handling and experimental design, are taught in the laboratory and in the field.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Species Assessment | 10% | Week 3 |
Project Outline | 20% | Week 7 |
Ethics Application | 30% | Week 8 |
Project Proposal | 40% | Week 12 |
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 10%
Give a 10 minute presentation (during the 1st on-campus session) on a threatened species of Australasian vertebrate. The species must be listed on a national list of threatened species (such as the EPBC List of Threatened Fauna) or on the IUCN Red List. This presentation must address three points:
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%
Prepare a concise outline for a project that involves monitoring and/or experimental manipulation of your chosen Australasian species (the same as for your Species Assessment) that assesses a conservation action or addresses a critical knowledge gap. This proposal will include a clear research question(s), a description of the data to be collected and a brief description of the experimental or sampling design. This project will be the same as you use for your Ethics Application and Project Proposal. The outline should be no more than two pages, including figures and references.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%
Prepare an Ethics Application for a wildlife project (same as your Project Outline) by filling in a Wildlife Protocol Application form. The form will be supplied and will be in the same format as that used by the Macquarie University Animal Ethics Committee. You will need to fully describe the protocols you intend to implement in your Project Proposal, make a complete assessment of ethics implications, and justify your choice of protocols over alternatives.
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%
You will make a Project Proposal, including essential background, research question, study design, ethical concerns, appropriate timelines, realistic budget and expected outcomes, that expands upon your Project Outline assignment. This proposal will be in the form of an application for a grant for funding over a 3-year period.
Lectures and tutorials are weekly (see timetable and unit schedule). Lectures are recorded and will be available from the ilearn website. Some material is delivered by weekend block session (see timetable and unit schedule) - attendance at these sessions is compulsory.
There is no assigned textbook for this unit. Recommended readings will be listed on the unit ilearn page.
Access to a computer with basic office software and an internet connection is required for assignments. Some tutorials require software that runs on Windows. A computer lab with PCs running Windows 8 will be used during tutorials and is also available at other times to postgraduate coursework students.
Week | Lecture | Tutorial | Weekend block session |
1 | Introduction | Documentary | |
2 | Origins, diversity and evolution | Threatened species | |
3 | Conservation issues | Habitat loss and fragmentation | |
Session 1: Terrestrial (15-16 Aug) | |||
4 | Population monitoring | Estimating population size | |
5 | Population dynamics | Life Table analysis | |
6 | Risk assessment | Wildlife research ethics | |
7 | Conservation of populations | Population Viability Analysis | |
8 | Species concepts | Species Distribution Modelling | |
Session 2: Marine (3-4 Oct) | |||
9 | Conservation genetics | No tutorial | |
10 | Listing threatened species | No tutorial | |
11 | No lecture | No tutorial | |
12 | No lecture | No tutorial | |
13 | No lecture | No tutorial |
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.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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: