Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Robert Harcourt
Contact via robert.harcourt@mq.edu.au
E8A 376
Other Staff
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Ben Pitcher
Contact via 0468366345
E8A 385
Jessica Boomer
Contact via jessica.boomer@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp including BIOL227(P)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Marine predators are ecologically important components of marine ecosystems and this unit examines their importance by exploring all aspects of their biology. We examine how marine mammals and seabirds evolved, and what adaptations they have made in returning to the marine environment. Their behaviour and ecology is reviewed and we also investigate how these might necessarily be applied to their conservation and management. Current issues in conservation of marine birds and mammals, with an Australasian focus, receive special attention.
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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 |
---|---|---|
Final examination | 50% | Exam Period |
Practical reports | 30% | Monday-following week |
Major report: Pelagic Trip | 20% | Nov 7 |
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Due: Monday-following week
Weighting: 30%
The practical classes will be assessed on the basis of practical report that will be due in to the SCIENCE centre generally in the following week (Monday). The format will vary according to the content each week and therefore you must be sure to follow the instructions accordingly.
Due: Nov 7
Weighting: 20%
Students will be divided into groups and survey 'blind' to the other groups. The results will be collated at the end of the trip and compared in the report.
Lectures
Practicals (1000 to 1300 alternate 1400 to 1700 in F5A 428 glasshouse unless indicated)
Prac 1 - Challenge of Aquatic Living 1 (sea bird dissection) - Monday 11/08
Prac 2 - Challenge of Aquatic Living 2 (mammals - pool prac) - Monday 25/08
Prac 3 - Reconstructing diet (fish dissection) - Monday 01/09
Prac 4 - Population modelling 1 (lab-based) - Monday 08/09
Prac 5 - Population modelling 2 (lab-based) - Monday 15/09
Prac 6 - Animal behaviour (Taronga zoo) - Monday 20/10
Pelagic field trip 1 on Sunday 05/10 OR Pelagic field trip 2 on Sunday 19/10
The textbook for BIOL372 is
This is available at the Co-op bookshop but not required.
Other recommended readings will be provided on the BIOL372 website.
Unit Web Page
Important information, announcements, and learning materials are made available via iLearn: click on the “online units” tab on the MQ home page or go directly to www.learn.mq.edu.au
Technology Used and Required
Students will need access to a computer and basic office software (eg. Microsoft Office or OpenOffice) to complete assessment tasks.
Lecture Schedule
Week |
Lecturer |
Lecture |
1 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
1. Diversity 2. Evolution 1 |
2 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
3. Evolution 2 4. The Challenge of Aquatic Living 1 |
3 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
5. The Challenge of Aquatic Living 2 6. The Challenge of Aquatic Living 3 |
4 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
7. The Challenge of Aquatic Living 4 8. The Challenge of Aquatic Living 5 |
5 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
9. Movement 1 10. Movement 2 |
6 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
11. Feeding Ecology 1 12. Feeding Ecology 2 |
7 |
Boomer Boomer |
13. Population Genetics 1 14. Population Genetics 2 |
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|
Mid Semester Break |
8 |
Harcourt |
15. Energetics
|
9
|
Harcourt Harcourt |
16. Life History 1: Life History Traits 17. Life History 2: Reproductive Strategies |
10 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
18. Social Behaviour 1 19. Social Behaviour 2 |
11 |
VIDEO Harcourt |
20. Social Behaviour: Birds (VIDEO) 21. Cognition |
12 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
22. Fisheries 1 23. Fisheries 2 |
13 |
Harcourt Harcourt |
24. Monitors 25. Conservation |
Practical Schedule
Date |
Practical |
Due date |
11/08/2014 |
1. Challenge of Aquatic Living 1: Birds (F5A 428) |
18/08/2014 |
25/08/2014 |
2. Challenge of Aquatic Living 2: Mammals (MQ Pool) |
1/09/2014 |
01/09/2014 |
3. Reconstructing Diet (F5A 428) |
08/09/2014 |
Field trip 1 on Sunday 05/10 Field trip 2 on Sunday 19/10 |
Pelagic field trip Pick up at Mosman Wharf (6:45 am) or Rose Bay Wharf (7am) |
07/11/2014 |
08/09/2014 |
4. Population modelling 1: population growth (F5A 428) |
15/09/2014 |
15/09/2014 |
5. Population modelling 2: small populations (F5A 428) |
22/09/2014 |
20/10/2014 |
6. Animal behaviour (Taronga Zoo) |
27/10/2014 |
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Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
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This graduate capability is supported by:
Date | Description |
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13/08/2014 | added in due dates |
07/08/2014 | lecture location updated |
28/07/2014 | m |
23/07/2014 | m |
09/07/2014 | Dates, times and room locations corrected |