Outline

Overview

Applied ecologists and managers need a good understanding of quantitative methods for assessing environmental impacts and the effectiveness of management and conservation strategies particularly where background variation (error) is inherently high. This unit is for those without a quantitative ecology background. It will introduce you to quantitative methods in the context of three ecological topics that are globally relevant: (1) Impact assessment where the perturbation is unreplicated, (2) Food security in marine ecosystems, and (3) Conservation and restoration in terrestrial ecosystems. The main question we address is how do we test whether any management action has been effective? Describing and understanding uncertainty will be explained in the context of precautionary principles. Issues about measuring biodiversity and the spatial and temporal problems of ecological systems will be introduced.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ENVI5904
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	William Figueira, will.figueira@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	William Figueira, will.figueira@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assessment 2B: Individual project proposal full proposal to carry out the research work, developed from 2A	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 25 Nov 2021 at 23:59	see Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1: Essay topical environmental issue	35%	Week 08 Due date: 06 Oct 2021 at 23:59	see Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2A: Group project proposal presentation Group presentation on research proposal	10%	Week 13 Due date: 11 Nov 2021 at 11:00	10 min talk/pdf + 5 min questions
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation & contribution to discussions attendance and participation in group discussions	5%	Weekly	weekly input
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

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	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
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
Week 01	Introduction to applied ecology, sampling and hypothesis testing	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to sampling and hypothesis testing	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	Understanding sampling and environmental uncertainty	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Impact assessment	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Species-level conservation: determining causes of failure and quantifying success	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Ecological management in practice; voluntary	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 07	Community-level conservation: landscape scale designs and tests of effectiveness	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Harvest management methods	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Restoration ecology examples	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Information-Theory, Restoration & Wrap-up	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Spatial management in the sea	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Report workshop and presentation prep	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Pitching a consultancy proposal on addressing an ecological management problem	Presentation (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The intent is to run this unit face to face. Attendance is mandatory. Sessions will be streamed live for remote students. Handouts will be made available.

Your participation score will be based on your attendance as well as your participation in group and online discussions during our sessions.

The field trip in week 6 will occur around Sydney Harbour and will fit within the 3 hour time for the class. However, if possible, we can extend this based on student availability.

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. be aware of needs for, and nature of, quantitative environmental measures
LO2. have experience with translating vague environmental concepts in to testable hypotheses
LO3. have experienced practical problems and realities about dealing with uncertainty in the major areas of environmental management.

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.

We have added more practical sessions to complement the theory.

Additional information

Simple extensions

The University Coursework Policy (2014 amended 2 March 2021) on simple extensions (66A, pp 54-55) states that:

A unit of study co-ordinator, who is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, may permit a student to submit a non-examination task up to two working days after the due date with no penalty.
Such permission is an informal arrangement between the unit of study co-ordinator and the student which does not:
1. affect the student’s entitlement to apply for special consideration under this policy;
2. alter any time limits or other requirements relating to applications for special consideration; or
3. constitute an academic decision for the purposes of the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006.

The policy provided no guidelines as to what is appropriate for simple extensions.

In this unit, we will consider simple extension requests for the following (or similar): death of relative, close personal friend or pet; sudden change of carer’s duties due to illness, injury or misadventure. Please do not assume your request will automatically be granted.
Note: paid or volunteer employment, other assessments or computer/software malfunctions are not appropriate grounds for simple extensions.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ENVI5904: Methods in Applied Ecology

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect