BIO2051

Plant and animal ecology ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Dennis O'Dowd

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit introduces the science of ecology, the distribution and abundance of plants and animals and their interactions with their physical and biotic environments. Ecology aims to explain patterns and processes in the natural world and to predict how plants and animals at a number of levels or integration (individuals, populations, communities) will respond under particular circumstances, including those caused by human activity. Designed for students doing botany or zoology and special emphasis will be the study of plants and animals in a field context. Practical work will be undertaken as team-based research projects on a field trip during O-week (fee payable).

Objectives: On completion of this unit, students also doing botany or zoology will understand the interactions between plants and animals and their environment at a number of different levels of ecological complexity, including individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems; be aware of the central role of ecological understanding in environmental policy and resource management decisions; and develop skills in quantitative field sampling, experimental methods in field ecology, teamwork and problem-solving through a practical course based on field research projects.

Assessment: Theory examinations (mid-semester and final exams totalling 2.5 hours) :60% + projects conducted at a field camp during o.week: 40% (two written project reports : 35% + PowerPoint presentation: 5%).

Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and 0.5 hour discussion session per week and a field trip during O-week

Corequisites: BIO2181 or BIO2231 or permission

Prohibitions: BIO2011