Applied Ecology (11773.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| School Of Science | Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Understand how basic ecological principles are applied to solve current important environmental issues;
2. Develop the quantitative skills to describe the patterns of biological diversity and processes generating those patterns in a range of habitats, with a focus on Australian case studies;
3. Recognise the importance and complexity of evaluating potential impacts of environmental problems on the global ecosystem;
4. Employ tools to assist in making robust management decisions and assess their strengths and weaknesses; and
5. Assess the social, economic, ethical and political considerations of resource management, and how they impact decisions, including incorporation of Indigenous knowledge and approaches, and worldviews.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline
Skills development
The course requires students to apply fundamental ecological principles to real-world problems, engaging through a wide variety of information sources. Students will learn how to engage with technology in the context of environmental studies and will work alone and in teams to generate a range of outputs relevant to the workplace.
Prerequisites
11772 Diversity of Life and Habitats OR 623 Plants and AnimalsCorequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
10231 EcologyAssumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 16 February 2026 | On-campus | Dr Adrian Dusting |
| 2027 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 15 February 2027 | On-campus | Dr Adrian Dusting |
Required texts
Krebs, C.J. (2013). Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution and Abundance. (6th Ed.) Pearson New International Edition.
OR Krebs, C.J. (2013) Ecology: The Experimental Analysis of Distribution & Abundance Pearson New International Edition VitalSource eText, 6th Edition
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Artificial intelligence
Restricted - The use of GenAI is NOT allowed in completing the assessments. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC
Special assessment requirements
Students are required to complete a field-readiness activity (in-class) and participate in the week-long field trip.
Field work competencies are a core component of 11773 Applied Ecology. In order to demonstrate Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) 1, 2 and 5, students need to plan for and participate in fieldwork activities. The unit's principal field trip is an exercise in WIL, with students acquiring skills relevant to diverse environmental science professions, including safe and correct: research design and planning, fieldtrip preparation (including risk management, logistics, research methodology), collaboration with peers, execution and adaptation of a research plan in an applied setting (including safety as well as scientific considerations), data recording and management in applied research setting, consideration of social and cultural factors in conducting research in an applied setting, and pack-down/departure procedures.
In order to demonstrate that they are able to safely participate in the week-long field trip, students are required to first complete a "field readiness" task during scheduled classes early in semester. This task is formative, but will be a mandatory hurdle in order for students to demonstrate they are aware of what is required to participate safely in the field trip.
The unit convenor reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
The contact hours for each student in this unit consist of 8 hours of lectures, 8 hours of tutorials and 12 hours of workshops (2 hr x 6). There are an additional 32 hours of off-campus field work. The remaining hours of workload are distributed across the various assessment tasks and self-directed study.
Participation requirements
Students are required to complete a field-readiness activity (in-class) and participate in the week-long field trip.
It is also strongly recommended that students participate in all lectures, tutorials and workshops in person. Students should note that a considerable proportion of their assessment is conducted during timetabled classes.
Required IT skills
Students will need reasonable proficiency in MS Word, Powerpoint and Excel. Experience in statistical analysis using R or equivalent software will be helpful, but is not compulsory.
In-unit costs
There will be a cost associated with the Applied Ecology residential field camp. This will not exceed $400.
Work placement, internships or practicums
The unit's principal field trip is an exercise in WIL, with students acquiring skills relevant to diverse environmental science professions.
Additional information
Specific details for field trips will be provided prior to the activities, however students are expected to be prepared for extended outdoor activities. This includes appropriate footwear, sensible field clothing (including warm and waterproof clothing if required), adequate sun protection and sufficient water. If students are unfamiliar with general-purpose personal field preparations such as these, they should request staff assistance well in advance of any field trip or outdoor activities.
