Program Overview

EPBIOL240 - Biodiversity and Conservation Management

Course Description

This course provides an informative introduction to the fundamental aspects of ecology relevant to the many issues confronting us in today's environmentally conscious world, whilst considering the sustainable use and conservation of the natural environment. Although it will form the basis for subsequent study in this area, anyone with an interest in environmental issues, but not wishing to pursue studies in science, will also find it an informative insight into the natural world. Topics include environments, ecosystem diversity, habitat loss, protected areas, climate change, ecotourism, and current environmental issues.

Course Content

• Organisms and environments; ecological interactions
  • Distribution and abundance; dispersal; biogeography
  • Habitat threats; Protected Areas; ecotourism
  • Climate change: causes, impacts and mitigation

Enrolment Rules

This course is not available to students who have completed the following course(s):

• EPBIOL340: 0 units, Environmental Science

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define, explain, and apply key concepts in environmental ecology.
2. Utilise data and produce and interpret diagrams relevant to environmental ecology.
3. Relate theory to practical applications in environmental ecology.
4. Produce a report or address issues in environmental ecology by critical thinking, drawing conclusions, and synthesising information and key concepts.

Contact Hours

Lecture

• Offerings: F2F-CAL-SEM2
• Duration: 2 hour(s) per week
• Number of sessions: 12 week(s)
• Starting week: 1
• Delivery mode: Face to Face On Campus

Practical

• Description: Refer to the Course Outline for details.
• Offerings: F2F-CAL-SEM2
• Duration: 4 hour(s) per day
• Number of sessions: 1 day(s)
• Starting week: 0
• Delivery mode: Face to Face Off Campus

Self-Directed Learning

• Description: Self-Directed learning is equivalent to face-to-face contact hours. It involves engagement with course materials that are delivered at a time that suits you via short videos, course notes, podcasts, readings, and other activities.
• Offerings: FLX-ONL-SEM2
• Duration: 2 hour(s) per week
• Number of sessions: 12 week(s)
• Starting week: 1
• Delivery mode: Self-Directed

Tutorial

• Offerings: FLX-ONL-SEM2
• Duration: 1 hour(s) per week
• Number of sessions: 12 week(s)
• Starting week: 1
• Delivery mode: Online

Tutorial

• Offerings: F2F-CAL-SEM2
• Duration: 1 hour(s) per week
• Number of sessions: 11 week(s)
• Starting week: 2
• Delivery mode: Face to Face On Campus

Assessments

Online Quizzes

• Type: Quiz
• Weighting (%): 10
• Individual or group work: Individual

Fieldwork, Scientific Plan and Report

• Type: Report
• Weighting (%): 40
• Individual or group work: Individual

Tutorial Activities

• Type: Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises
• Weighting (%): 50
• Individual or group work: Individual

Compulsory Placement and WHS Requirements

WHS Requirement

Students must complete a Workplace Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. This course involves a practical component (fieldwork), an off-campus excursion to Merewether Beach rock platform, which requires you to complete a short safety briefing prior to participation in this activity.

Course Details

• Study level: Enabling
• Course level: Enabling
• Units: 10
• College: Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre
• School: Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre