BIOL3010: Intensive February, 2023

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Units BIOL3010 Intensive February 2023 [Block mode]

Unit of study_

BIOL3010: Tropical Wildlife Biology

Intensive February, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Australia has a unique terrestrial vertebrate fauna, but also has the worst record of recent mammalian extinctions. Because of Australias unusual climate, landforms, and the rarity of many species, the management of our native wildlife presents special challenges for biologists, conservationists and land managers. This unit of study addresses the biogeography, ecology and management of Australias terrestrial fauna. The subject comprises of a five-day field course at Mary River Park in the Northern Territory. During the course, students will learn how to carry out wildlife surveys, how to identify animals, how to track wildlife, and how to design and complete a field experiment. The field trip will be complemented by guest lectures from experts in the fields of evolution, ecology and wildlife management. A one day field trip to Litchfield National Park will be held on the last day of the field course.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BIOL3010
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	BIOL3910 or BIOL2010 or BIOL2910
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points of BIOL2XXX or [6 credit points of BIOL2XXX and 6 credit points of(AVBS2XXX or ENVX2001 or MBLG2X72)]
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mathew Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Dieter Hochuli, dieter.hochuli@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Camilla Whittington, camilla.whittington@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small test	Theory exam Final exam covering theory of lecture material	40%	Week -01 Due date: 17 Feb 2023 at 14:00	Final exam covering lecture material
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Wildlife management talks (USyd) Oral presentation on issues in wildlife management	15%	Week -01	12 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Practical exam (Mary River Park) Practical examination of material	15%	Week -02	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Cane toad paper Experimental report on cane toad movements	30%	Week 06	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Pre-semester	Field trip to Northern Territory covering cane toad experiment and catching an identifying wildlife	Field trip (40 hr)
	Lectures on the biology and management of Tropical fauna	Lecture (8 hr)
	Lab of analysis of cane toad data	Science laboratory (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Required materials: Please make sure you bring all the following items: Head torch and mosquito repellent. You can buy cheap head torches from Woolworths or Bunnings. You will need one so that you don’t tread on snakes at night. Field notebook (A6 or A5 size, hard cover; not loose A4 sheets and clipboard). Enough pencils etc. and a larger notebook (or A4 paper and ring binder) for lectures and work at Mary River Park. Long pants and long sleeved shirts for night fieldwork (mosquitos are abundant and ‘friendly’). Waterproof raincoat, suitable closed footwear - the best combination is walking boots for dry days and gumboots for rainy days; assume that you will get wet (N.B. students not adequately equipped for each activity will not be allowed to take part and will potentially fail that element of the course). Hat and sunglasses, casual clothes (shorts, t-shirts), footwear (thongs/sandals are ok to wear when not doing fieldwork). Sunscreen (SPF 30+). Swimmers and towel for the pool and Litchfield day trip. Enough casual clothes, personal toiletries, towel, etc (weather... it can be anything from 25- 42 deg C, and it can be cold (25 deg C) at night if it rains. Water bottle (minimum capacity 500ml). Personal medication (to include paracetomol etc.). If you have them, binoculars. Alarm clock or mobile phone with alarm. Hand lens or digital camera if you have them for identifying reptiles. Bird guide or reptile guide, optional. Books will be provided on the course. Note: linen, pillows etc are provided by Mary River Park.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. appreciate evolution and biogeography of the Australian fauna
LO2. use field guides and dichotomous keys in the identification of animals
LO3. apply field skills such as trapping, in the study of animals
LO4. develop field experiments to understand animal biology
LO5. appreciate issues in the management of the Australian fauna
LO6. understand the role Aboriginal people play in managing the Australian landscape and fauna
LO7. develop written and oral communication skills to disseminate knowledge relating to animal biology

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Extremely good USS reviews and scores. Any suggestions can't be done due to remote fieldwork

Additional information

Below are contact details for Mary River Park should your parents, guardians, friends or relatives urgently need to contact you whilst on the fieldtrip. Mary River Park: http://www.maryriverpark.com/

E: general@maryriverpark.com

Telephone: 08 8978 8877

There is no mobile phone coverage at Mary River Park. However, wireless internet is available so you can check your emails and update your Facebook and Instagram pages.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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