Undergraduate - UnitBIO3122 - Freshwater ecology

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Jennifer Davis

Synopsis

This unit builds upon basic ecological concepts to provide the theory and practical experience needed to understand, manage, monitor and conserve inland aquatic ecosystems. It considers the abiotic and biotic components of freshwater ecosystems, especially the dynamics of energy and nutrients, trophic structure and interspecific interactions, and the patterns and processes supporting aquatic biodiversity.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will have an understanding of the components, processes and services/values that characterise flowing (rivers and streams) and standing (wetlands, lakes and ponds) waters. Experience will be gained in applying practical methods (both in the field and laboratory) to obtain, analyse and interpret ecological datasets. Research skills will be developed through designing, undertaking and communicating a freshwater project.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%
Practical work: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jennifer Davis

Contact hours

Two 1-hour lectures, 3 hours laboratory/field work per week

Prerequisites

BIO2011 or BIO2051, and either BIO2231 or BIO2181.