Students

BIOL372 – Marine Birds and Mammals

2014 – S2 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
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
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp including BIOL227(P)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

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:

  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Final examination 50% Exam Period
Practical reports 30% Monday-following week
Major report: Pelagic Trip 20% Nov 7

Final examination

Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

-
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature

Practical reports

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.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Write scientific reports

Major report: Pelagic Trip

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.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Delivery and Resources

CLASSES

Lectures

  • Mondays  1700 to 1800 (E7B 263) and
  • Tuesday 1400 to 1500 (W6B 338) (50mins each).

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

 

REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS

The textbook for BIOL372 is

  • Marine Mammal Biology: an evolutionary approach 1st edition, by Rus Hoelzel, 2002. Published by Blackwell.

This is available at the Co-op bookshop but not required.

Other recommended readings will be provided on the BIOL372 website.

UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

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.

Unit Schedule

 

Lecture Schedule

Week

Lecturer

Lecture

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

 

 

Mid Semester Break

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

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Learning and Teaching Activities

On completing the course, students should be able to: • Understand advanced evolutionary principles • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems. • Analyse results from practical classes and field work. • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature. • Write scientific reports. • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data.

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

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand advanced evolutionary principles
  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have a comprehensive insight into the behaviour and ecology of marine predators and their role in marine ecosystems
  • Analyse results from practical classes and field work
  • Undertake literature searches and evaluate literature
  • Write scientific reports
  • Plan and safely undertake field collection of data

Changes since First Published

Date Description
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