Course Title: Field Ecology
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Field Ecology
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Course Coordinator: Catherine Leigh
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1945
Course Coordinator Email: catherine.leigh@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora Campus
Course Coordinator Availability: By email appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Assumed Knowledge
This course advances the knowledge, understanding and skills gained by successfully completing BIOL2546 Evolution and Ecology. You will find that knowledge of biology, applied statistics and ecology is important and will be an advantage, as will completion of courses in plant and animal identification, structure and function, and data analysis.
For example, this course builds upon the knowledge of the following courses:
BIOL2547 Plant & Animal Biology
BIOL2270 Plant Diversity
BIOL2151 Animal Diversity
BIOL2546 Evolution & Ecology
Course Description
Ecology is the study of interactions between organisms and between organisms and their environment. This course focuses on practical skills in ecological field surveying, field data collection and data analysis, along with critical evaluation, report writing and communication, while also covering advanced ecological theories and concepts in interactive learning sessions. You will conduct field experiments using appropriate methods in the context of applied ecological problems and to test ecological hypotheses. By successfully completing this course, your skills should enable you to conduct field-based investigations of ecological systems and interpret findings in applied and theoretical ecological contexts.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
The course is a program option course, however, will contribute to following program learning outcomes for:
BP350 Bachelor of Science
BP192 Bachelor of Environmental Science
For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Design population- and/or community-level observational and/or manipulative field experiments in the context of applied ecological problems, ecological theory and concepts. (PLO 3, 6)
- Conduct population- and/or community-level observational and/or manipulative field experiments using appropriate methods in the context of applied ecological problems, ecological theory and concepts. (PLO 1, 3, 6)
- Apply the appropriate techniques to analyse and interpret the data in relation to proposed hypotheses that are grounded in ecological theory and concepts. (PLO 2, 4, 5)
- Explain and justify ecological concepts, findings and their implications in a variety of formats, including written reports, graphical and oral presentations. (PLO 3, 4, 5)
Overview of Learning Activities
You will work individually and in groups to design and conduct field projects in different ecosystem types, including both aquatic and terrestrial, to investigate ecological concepts and explore hypotheses. After field sampling, you will work in groups and/or individually depending on the activity, to sort and identify samples and analyse data in dry and/or wet laboratories. You will identify, discuss and devise solutions to practical ecological problems using, for example, theory, research, experimental data and your group’s collective creativity.
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, on and off-campus practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. For the latter, you will be actively engaged in a mix of self-directed online and timetabled, face-to-face learning activities (lectorials, tutorials, practicals, etc.); prior to attending the timetabled, face-to-face sessions you will be expected to have completed the specified online activities.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course Site.
Overview of Learning Resources
Attendance and participation on the field trips is required to meet the assessment requirements in this applied course. Participation in all associated support activities, including but not necessarily limited to both group and individual based lectorials and discussions, is recommended. Attendance on the field trips and participation in all associated activities, including field work, lectures and discussions, both group and individual based is required. RMIT will supply the necessary field equipment, though you are expected to have your own clothing appropriate to the specific field work being conducted (e.g. sturdy, covered shoes). Full details of what to wear and bring on field trips will be supplied in the teaching materials during semester.
RMIT will also provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course Site.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Project Design
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLO 1
Assessment Task 2: Field Reports
Weighting 50%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4
Assessment Task 3: Presentations
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 4
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.