Students

BIOL870 – Conservation in Practice

2018 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Rachael Dudaniec
Adam Stow
Anthony Chariton
Katherine McClellan
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(8cp from BIOL861 or BIOL873 or BIOL874 or BIOL875 or BIOL877 or BIOL887) and permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides an opportunity to gain valuable and relevant professional experience either as an intern with a private or public organisation or through a professional project investigating the conservation sector. Students intending to undertake an independent internship in this unit should source a placement prior to the start of session. Please contact the convenor for a list of potential placements and projects. This unit can be combined with BIOL860 Biology Research Experience for a more extended experience.

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:

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

General Assessment Information

BIOL870 is a four credit point unit and requires a workload commitment of 150 hours. We expect that this time will be divided into

1) 118 hours of laboratory experience and

2) 30 hours for assessments. You will therefore be in the lab/field for 8-10 hours a week over the semester.

All requests for extensions must go via ask.mq as per Disruption policy:

http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Internship Proposal 10% No 23 March 2018
Risk assessment 15% No 23 March 2018
Daily Diary 20% No 8 June 2018
Internship Report 30% No 15 June 2018
Supervisor Report 25% No 22 June 2018

Internship Proposal

Due: 23 March 2018
Weighting: 10%

You will write a short proposal explaining the work that you will undertake in your placement (internship) and skills to be learnt


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.

Risk assessment

Due: 23 March 2018
Weighting: 15%

Undertake a risk assessment for the placement 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Daily Diary

Due: 8 June 2018
Weighting: 20%

Complete a daily diary recording work undertaken and skills learnt 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.

Internship Report

Due: 15 June 2018
Weighting: 30%

You will write a report (literature review and methods protocols for internship) describing what is currently known in the area of your project and how your work will contribute to further understanding in this area 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Supervisor Report

Due: 22 June 2018
Weighting: 25%

Supervisors will provide a report on student performance, progress, abilities acquired and attendance throughout placement.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Delivery and Resources

Technology Used and Required

Students are required to have access to a computer and the internet to access the teaching website and unit materials. Students will also be required to have access to a word processor, spreadsheet manager and database programs to be able to complete set assessment tasks.

For field work students will require access to some field equipment, a complete list of which will be supplied within the teaching website on activation.

Unit Web Page

 

To access the unit and associated resources, please login to iLearn (http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/) Guides for assist students with on-line websites and resources can be found at

Student iLearn guides: https://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm

 

Student Echo guides: https://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/lecture_recordings. htm

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

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.

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://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

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

Graduate Capabilities

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

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Internship Proposal
  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report

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

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Internship Proposal
  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report

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

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Internship Proposal
  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report

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

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Internship Proposal
  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report

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

  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report

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

  • 1. Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
  • 2. Develop a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
  • 3. Collaborate effectively as part of a team working on an ongoing conservation project by contributing to the development and implementation of a scientifically rigorous plan of action.
  • 4. Apply knowledge and professional skills acquired in previous units (e.g. BIOL861, BIOL887) to conservation problems.

Assessment tasks

  • Internship Proposal
  • Risk assessment
  • Daily Diary
  • Internship Report
  • Supervisor Report