Tackling Environmental Challenges: Conservation (11777.1)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
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Tackling Environmental Challenges: Conservation
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
Academic Program Area - Science Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit builds on the content and concepts developed in previous environmental science specialisation units, integrating them in the context of theory and methods underpinning the science of conserving biological diversity. Students will undertake an in-depth exploration of key issues in conservation management, including understanding the drivers of species decline and extinction, the risks faced by small populations, reversing declines through threat mitigation, reserve management and restoration, and managing conflicting interests. This unit addresses various Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLO) for environment and sustainability endorsed by the Australian Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (ACEDD).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Develop an in-depth understanding of current theory and methods in conservation ecology;
2. Critically evaluate and apply theory and methods to real conservation problems;
3. Design and execute a research task pertaining to a problem in conservation management, thinking critically and creatively in designing and evaluating sustainable alternatives and envisioning sustainable futures (ACEDD TLO 3.2);
4. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of key environmental and sustainability challenges and their drivers, with holistic systems thinking and complexity (ACEDD TLO 1.2 and 1.3);
5. Reflect on and direct own learning and practice in the context of environment and sustainability (ACEDD TLO 4.1); and
6. Demonstrate ethical professional, public and personal conduct by having capacity to participate constructively in decision-making consistent with the principles of sustainable development (ACEDD TLO 4.2).


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology


Prerequisites

11771 Meeting Environmental Challenges: Foundations AND 11776 Land and Water

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

10234 Conservation Ecology

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Richard Duncan
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Richard Duncan
Not available

Required texts

There are no set texts for this unit. Useful texts for the unit available in the library are -

Caughley, G. and Gunn, A. (1996) Conservation biology in theory and practice. Blackwell Science.

Groom, M.J., Meffe, G.K. and Carroll, C.R. (2005) Principles of Conservation Biology. 3rd edition. Sinauer Associates, Sutherland, US.

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

An aggregate mark of 50% or more overall to pass the unit.

In addition, to pass the unit students must:

  • attend and participate in both all-day field classes. It is the responsibility of students to contact the unit convenor via email, if they have a justifiable reason (e.g. sickness) to miss one or more of these classes.

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

Lectures and tutorials are recorded and available via the canvas site. To successfully complete the unit it is expected to spend around 150 hours of work on the unit. An indicative work load breakdown can be found below:

  lectures tutorials and field trips assignments additional study total
hours 20 30 80 20   150

Teaching philosophy and conduct

The teaching philosophy of the unit convener and associated staff is that all work in this 3rd year unit is not just a one-way stream of information from the staff to the students, but a collaborative discovery journey of both students and staff. To promote deep understanding, the unit is designed to guide and challenge the students rather than provide straight recipes. It is therefore necessary and expected that the students fully commit themselves to the unit, by coming prepared to lectures, participate actively in group activities, lectures, tutorials and field trips and spend time on self-study. The students may expect that the staff will create a supportive intellectual environment and teach and mentor to the best of their abilities in a professional respectful manner. The staff and unit convener expect in exchange that the students will behave in an equally professional and respectful manner. 

Participation requirements

  • Attendance at all lectures and tutorials is strongly recommended. Students are encouraged to come prepared and actively engage in classes.
  • Attend both all-day field classes. It is the responsibility of students to contact the unit convenor via email, if they have a justifiable reason (e.g. sickness) to miss one or more of these classes.

Required IT skills

Students will need computer skills in using web browsers, email and Microsoft Office software. In addition, preparation of reports will require some data analysis. Students should have some background in statistical analysis and be familiar with statistical packages such as the R statistical software, and/or be prepared to put time into learning these. Some background and assistance will be provided in tutorials. The written reports must be in word processor format, readable by MS Word. All written assessment items (unless specified otherwise) are to be uploaded to the unit's Canvas site.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit involves work integrated learning: WIL Fieldwork. Students must adhere to University policy during WIL activities, including the Student Conduct Rules, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

Contact your unit convener if you have any concerns with meeting the requirements of this unit.