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Unit of study_
BIOL3016: Coral Reef Biology
2025 unit information
Coral Reef Biology is an intensive unit held at a research station on the Great Barrier Reef. The unit focuses on the dominant taxa in coral reef environments and the linkages between them. Emphasis is placed on the biological adaptations for life in tropical waters and the ecological, oceanographic and physiological processes involved. Aspects covered include: processes influencing the distribution of coral reefs, symbiosis, reef connectivity, lagoon systems, nutrient cycling and the impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on the world's corals reefs.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
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[12 credit points of BIOL2XXX] or [6 credit points from BIOL2XXX and (GEOS2X15 or MBLG2X72 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2002)] |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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BIOL3916 or BIOL2020 or BIOL2920 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. appreciate biodiversity of coral reefs and identification (fishes, corals, non-coral invertebrates)
- LO2. appreciate the diversity of life histories, habitats and biology among coral reef inhabitants
- LO3. understand linkages between coral reef habitats, the pelagic environment and land-based activities
- LO4. understand the processes involved in management issues specific tropical ecosystems
- LO5. appreciate the influence of climate change and other anthropogenic stressors on coral reef ecosystems
- LO6. learn a variety of practical techniques for studying coral reef ecosystems
- LO7. develop research skills with field and laboratory equipment
- LO8. learn techniques for designing field studies, gathering field data and analytical considerations
- LO9. develop scientific writing and analytical skills by producing a research report based on data obtained and analysed to test scientific hypotheses.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Intensive February 2025
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Departmental permission requirements
If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.
You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.
Read our information on departmental permission.
Additional advice
This unit requires School permission to enrol; please see the School of Life and Environmental Sciences website for details on how to apply. Entry into the unit is based on placement availability and selection is competitive based on academic performance.
