Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Other Staff
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Jane Williamson
Contact via jane.williamson@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
|
Unit description |
Unit description
This unit covers the ecology of temperate marine communities, including: intertidal and subtidal rocky reefs; kelp forests; mangroves; seagrasses; soft sediments; and the deep ocean. Key processes mediating each habitat are explored and both natural and anthropogenic perturbations to these habitats are discussed. Manipulation of our marine environment, with reference to aquaculture, fisheries, introduced species, climate change and conservation issues, is studied. There are also small components dedicated to life histories of marine invertebrates, chemical ecology, larval and adult fish behaviour, and morphology and taxonomy of fish. Specialist lecturing staff from other institutions give guest lectures in their area of expertise.
This unit emphasises the practical application of marine ecological research and has a field component. It provides experience in environmental monitoring and manipulative experiments, including formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, data collection, analyses, and communication of results. A basic knowledge of statistics is assumed. This unit helps prepare individuals for employment in a range of marine-related workplaces, including consultancies and government agencies, and is beneficial for students wishing to continue with postgraduate studies in marine science. |
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 |
---|---|---|
Online Quiz | 2% | TBA |
Student Project Proposal | 8% | TBA |
Debate Papers | 2% | TBA |
Student Project | 20% | TBA |
Chemical Ecology Report | 12% | TBA |
Debate | 12% | TBA |
Final Exam | 44% | TBA |
Due: TBA
Weighting: 2%
A multiple-choice online exercise based on experimental design, field and laboratory safety procedures
Due: TBA
Weighting: 8%
Student groups will need to submit a project proposal for their student project
Due: TBA
Weighting: 2%
Submission of a recent (2010+) publication as supporting argument for your group debate
Due: TBA
Weighting: 20%
Submission of a completed student project (written as a group and in the format of a scientific publication), with a signed statement of individual input
Due: TBA
Weighting: 12%
Individually written report of analyses and results from chemical ecology practical classes
Due: TBA
Weighting: 12%
Five minute individual oral presentations of a nominated topic in the form of a debate
Due: TBA
Weighting: 44%
3 hour written exam at the completion of the unit comprising of short answer and essay questions
Lectures
Practical
Textbook
The textbook for BIOL373 is
This book is available at the University bookshop and several copies are held in Open Reserve in the Library. Other recommended readings will be given at the end of lecture summaries and some may be accessible through the library.
BIOL373 Web page
Summaries of lectures, data sets from practicals, instructions for assessment and other juicy resources will be posted throughout the course on the iLearn BIOL373 website. Please check this regularly for any urgent messages (e.g., cancellation of a field trip due to rough seas) – this is our main link with you outside contact hours. You can also use the unit website as a discussion forum to chat with each other regarding aspects of the unit, or to seek help from unit staff for simple questions. If you have larger or difficult questions, please arrange an appointment with one of the unit staff rather than posting your question online. Unit staff will monitor the online discussions daily each weekday. To access the website go to: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
More information on this system can be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/
Marine biology readings Online
Recommended readings are given at the end of each lecture summary and are accessible through library databases or will be made available online. You are not expected to read all of the recommended readings for each lecture; they are there for extra referencing should you wish to know more about a particular topic. You will also be expected to do your own literature searches through the library for assignments. MQ student’s usernames and passwords: All students will have received a Username and Password in the mail after enrolments. Usernames consist of the first letter of your given name, then the first four letters of your surname followed by three random numbers as per notification. Passwords are made up of two random characters followed by your birthday (ddmmyy).
Lecture 1 |
Thursday |
12-1 pm |
C6A 131 |
Lecture 2 |
Friday |
12-1 pm |
C5A 232 |
Practicals |
Friday |
2-5pm |
E8A 120 & E8A 160 |
Week | Lecture | Practical |
1 |
Introduction Invertebrate life histories |
Introduction to Student group project in the Field |
2 |
Rocky Shores I Rocky Shores II |
Student group project - Planning & feedback session for project proposal |
3 |
Rocky Shores III Kelp forests |
Student group project - Field session 1 |
4 |
Algae Soft sediments |
Algal diversity & debate planning (introduction, teams, papers) |
5 |
Seagrasses Mangroves & salt marshes |
Student group project - Field session 2 |
6 |
Foraminifera Deep ocean |
Student group project – Data Analysis |
Mid-semester break | ||
7 |
Fish Behaviour Shark Ecology |
No practical |
8 |
Chemical Ecology I Chemical Ecology II |
Chemical ecology I |
9 |
Recruitment & Fisheries Aquaculture I |
Chemical ecology II |
10 |
Aquaculture II No lecture |
Sydney aquarium |
11 |
Fisheries bycatch & discarding |
Debates |
12 |
Climate change I Climate change II |
Debates |
13 |
Marine protected areas Revision |
End of practicals |
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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
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/
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Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
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