Outline

Overview

This unit of study examines the ecological principles driving the major ecosystems of the world and ecological processes behind the world's major conservation issues. It aims to develop in students the core foundations for an understanding of Ecology and its application in conservation. Lectures will focus on the ecology of the major terrestrial and marine biomes of the world. Application of ecological theory and methods to practical conservation problems will be integrated throughout the unit of study. Practical sessions will provide hands-on experience in ecological sampling and data handling to understand the ecology of marine and terrestrial environments, as well as ecological simulations to understand processes. This unit of study provides a suitable foundation for senior biology units of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOL2924
Assumed knowledge ?	BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Peter Banks, peter.banks@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam Online open book without invigilation	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Climate watch project part 1 Project proposal	5%	Week 03	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Kelp forest report Written report	20%	Week 08	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Climate watch project part 2 Results	5%	Week 10	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Climate watch project part 3 Written project findings	15%	Week 11	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Biodiversity report Written report	10%	Week 12	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Climate watch project presentation Oral presentation	5%	Week 13	See Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Climate watch project: This is for one project completed over the whole semester as a group. To help you manage your time the report is due in three parts and a presentation at the end of the semester.
Kelp forest report: This report is based on the marine systems part of the unit of study. This report will be based on the results from the marine lab examining the influence of NSW marine protected areas on kelp forests.
Biodiversity report: This report is associated with the conservation biology part of the unit of study. The report will examine the concept of biodiversity and the challenges in sampling it and defining it as part of the lab class conducted in week 10.
Final exam: This will test your overall understanding of the subject, both theoretical and practical.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At high disctinction level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘high distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At distinction level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At credit level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At pass level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to ecology and conservation; 2. Ecosystems, biomes and habitats	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1. Learning styles; 2. Phenology	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Vegetation and threatened ecological communities; 2. Forests - from ferns to fur, managing invasives	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to climate watch project	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Woodlands - fire: friend or foe?; 2. Grasslands – managing agro-ecosystems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Climate watch: group project proposals and risk assessments	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Arid and alpine: conservation and climate change; 2. Ecology in, or ecology of, cities 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Climate watch: group proposal feedback and data management	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Ecology in, or ecology of, cities 2; 2. Hot topics in ecological marine research	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	The conservation message	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Temperate reefs; 2. Rocky Intertidal	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Kelp forests and marine protected areas	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Coral Reefs; 2. Open Ocean	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Marine Parks	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Urban marine habitats; 2. Estuaries	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Impacts of urbanisation on marine biodiversity	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	1. What is applied ecology - paradigms in conservation; 2. Managing populations and species	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Quantifying Biodiversity	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Managing ecosystems; 2. The evil quartet - habitat loss over exploitation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Discussion workshop - what is an alien species?	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	1. The evil quartet - invasive species and meltdowns; 2. Conservation and climate change	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Modelling conservation strategies	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Careers In conservation biology; 2. Conservation futures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	NO CLASS	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	1 Summing up Ecology; 2. Revision Session	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Climate Watch Presentations	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Lectures will be recorded but you are strongly advised to attend each lecture, except where you have a clash with another unit of study. We reserve the right to provide enriched material in the lecture that cannot be recorded.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the characteristics of the major biomes of the world for terrestrial and marine systems
LO2. understand the fundamental principles driving ecological processes for individual populations though to ecosystems
LO3. understand the major conservation threats to biodiversity in Australia and the world
LO4. understand the philosophical differences between ecology and conservation
LO5. appreciate the inherent complexity in natural systems and in conservation issues
LO6. appreciate the importance of ecology to conservation management
LO7. appreciate the importance of rigorous, evidence-based solutions for conservation management
LO8. identify the ecology of the major terrestrial and marine biomes of the world
LO9. pose ecological questions and design appropriate ecological field sampling regimes
LO10. critique ecological literature and assess evidence for conservation issues
LO11. present and analyse ecological data to test hypotheses

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We have revamped the Week 12 lab class with new modelling activities that are more interactive getting students to share their understanding amongst each other

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. Information about the University’s Work Health and Safety policy http://sydney.edu.au/whs/policies/legislation.shtml. explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL2024: Ecology and Conservation

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect