University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

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Taronga Wildlife Conservation

Study in Taronga Wildlife Conservation is offered by the School of Life and Environmental Sciences in partnership with Taronga. Units of study in this major are mostly available at standard and advanced level.

About the stream and program

The fields of Ecology and Evolution intersect at multiple levels and are critically relevant to real-world challenges, including Wildlife Conservation. Students will learn explicitly about evolutionary and ecological processes and how these influence the population dynamics of animals, plants, and other organisms. This knowledge forms the basis for the effective management and conservation of biodiversity, ecosystems, and habitats.

Requirements for completion

The Taronga Wildlife Conservation stream is 108 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level stream core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level stream core units
(iii) A 96 credit point program in Taronga Wildlife Conservation

A program in Taronga Wildlife Conservation requires 96 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 6 credit points of 1000-level program core units
(ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level program core units
(iii) 12 credit points of 4000-level program core units
(iv) 24 credits points of 4000-level project units OR 24 credit points Honours units
(v) 48 credit point Wildlife Conservation major
This program is only available to students enrolled in Taronga Wildlife Conservation stream.

A major in Wildlife Conservation requires 48 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii)18 credit points of 3000-level major core units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary project units
This major is only available to students enrolled in Taronga Wildlife Conservation Stream.

A minor in Wildlife Conservation requires 36 credit points, consisting of:

(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 12 credit points of 3000 level core units

First year

The core units in first year Biology, Life and Evolution (BIOL1XX6) and From Molecules to Ecosystems (BIOL1XX7), provide students with an understanding of the concepts that are central to Wildlife Conservation. These units will provide a broader context within which these concepts can be interpreted, including the scientific framework, hypothesis testing, and experimental design.

Second year

In the second year, Biology Experimental Design and Analysis (BIOL2X22) provides students with sufficient background to design complex ecological and evolutionary experiments in the field, including multifactorial experiments, and to analyse and interpret their data. Ecology and Conservation (BIOL2X24) builds on the broad introduction to Wildlife Conservation in the first year.

Third year

AVBS3004 Wildlife Conservation, BIOL3X07 Ecology and WILD3001 Taronga Project.

6 credit point of Interdisciplinary project:
SCPU3001 Science Interdisciplinary Project
WILD3888 Taronga Interdisciplinary Project

Fourth year

The fourth year is only offered within the combined Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies course.

Advanced Coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies advanced coursework option consists of 48 credit points, with a minimum of 24 credit points at 4000-level or above. Of these 24 credit points, you must complete a project unit of study worth at least 12 credit points. Advanced coursework will be included in the table for 2021.

Honours
Meritorious students in the Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Advanced Studies may apply for admission to Honours within a subject area of the Bachelor of Advanced Studies. Admission to Honours requires the prior completion of all requirements of the Bachelor of Science degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units. If you are considering applying for admission to Honours, ensure your degree planning takes into account the completion of a second major and all OLE requirements by the end of your Honours year.

Unit of study requirements for Honours in the area of Taronga Wildlife Conservation: completion of 24 credit points of project work and 12 credit points of coursework. Honours units of study will be available in 2021.

Contact and further information

W sydney.edu.au/science/life-environment/
E

Associate Professor Catherine Herbert
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Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Taronga Wildlife Conservation will be able to:

  1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge in wildlife biology and conservation.
  2. Exhibit deep knowledge of the value of wildlife and biodiversity to our society and well-being and sustaining life on our planet.
  3. Integrate knowledge of the concepts and principles of animal biology, animal behaviour and population ecology as they apply to wildlife conservation.
  4. Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information in wildlife biology and conservation from a range of relevant sources.
  5. Work competently, safely, ethically and responsibly in field, laboratory and industry settings, using a range of practical and analytical techniques in biology, ecology and conservation.
  6. Generate primary research data and deploy skills in numeracy and data analysis to analyse experimental outcomes and obtain answers to biological questions.
  7. Communicate concepts and findings in wildlife conservation through a range of modes for a variety of audiences, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
  8. Examine developments in wildlife conservation knowledge, evaluate their relevance to global challenges current academic, industry and community-based research and activities and be influential through leadership of community based research and activities.
  9. Design, plan and carry out field, laboratory-based, observational and virtual experiments to address questions in wildlife biology and conservation.
  10. Address authentic problems in wildlife conservation, working responsibly and professionally and with consideration of social and cultural perspectives, within collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.
  11. Examine and evaluate contemporary issues in wildlife conservation from a range of ethical and cross-cultural perspectives.
  12. Inspire and lead to influence social, market and legislative change across cultural borders.