Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit develops the theoretical treatment of populations as a unit of study and integrates the content of previous ecology units into approaches for the sustainable management of biological populations with a particular emphasis on the management of pest species.

Aims

The population system is a dynamic, biological unit influenced by its environment. The importance of the population lies in that it is not only the lowest level of biological integration where it is meaningful to talk of group (and not individual) characteristics but is also the level of integration at which many management strategies are focused. This unit aims to extend the understanding of population processes, sampling ecological systems and the abundance and distribution of populations that are essential to effectively manage biological populations, particularly in terms of pest management and harvesting.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Understand the concepts underlying the management of individuals and populations.
2. Integrate ecological understanding of pest species with appropriate quantitative analytical methods to formulate effective pest management strategies.
3. Appreciate the theoretical and practical understanding that is necessary to formulate (and assess the success of) scientifically-based pest management strategies for biological populations and understand a range of current control methodologies for the management of animal and plant pests.
4. Understand the concepts underlying the theory of sustained yield harvesting and how this is applied to exploited populations.
5. Have developed a number of graduate capabilities including discipline knowledge and skills, critical and analytical thinking and problem solving, effective communication and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Content

The effective management of pest populations requires an advanced knowledge of those ecological factors that will influence their abundance and distribution, methods for estimating and modelling abundance and distribution, and the capacity to consider the costs and benefits of population control. In this unit we will therefore consider:

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence the abundance and distribution of biological populations
Methods for modelling, measuring and analysing the spatial and temporal distribution of populations.
Methods and models for the maintenance or suppression of populations.
Synthesis of biological factors and economic costs and benefits to inform effective management programmes.

Importantly, the management of pest population can no longer be considered in isolation and must be considered within a global context. Thus we will also consider the following themes:

Influence of climate change on pest abundance and distribution.
Biosecurity, invasive organisms and their control.

Some species of economic significance are not pests but are used by humans, and management is required. Harvesting theory and applications will therefore also be considered.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit consists of 26 hours of lectures, a field trip and a mixture of practical and tutorial sessions. Lectures will provide the theoretical background to understand the scientific manipulation of populations whilst the field trip has been designed to familiarise students with practical problems associated with the study, measurement and analysis of pest populations. Practical and tutorial sessions will extend concepts covered in lectures, providing the opportunity to apply practical skills needed for population management and to discuss theoretical issues and to relate concepts to current issues in ecology. This multifaceted approach is designed to provide the background concepts and analytical tools necessary to encourage critical thinking on complex topics in population management. Class reading exercises and tutorials will also be distributed throughout the semester and are essential for developing skills for completing assessable assignments and examinations.

Assessment

All assessment contributes to your grade.Feedback will be available on your progress.

Assessment name: Report
Description: (Formative and summative) - Following analysis of data collected from a field trip, you will be required to produce a scientific report that discussed key issues related to pest management. The report must follow the format of a scientific paper and will involve the synthesis of ecological, analytical and economic aspects of a pest species. You are encouraged to submit drafts of your report to the lecturer for comment for up to 7 days before the due date.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early Semester

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: (Formative and summative) - This project will involve researching a significant biological process that either impacts on or can be used to manipulate the abundance and distribution of a pest species. You will create a poster to concisely and effectively convey your research findings, and display this poster in association with an oral presentation in which you will describe your findings. Both your peers and your lecturer will contribute towards your assessment. This piece of assessment will emphasise the capacity of the student to undertake research, to apply knowledge and critical thinking skills developed throughout the unit, and to convey research findings in a concise format. You are encouraged to submit drafts of your poster to the lecturer for comment for up to 7 days before the due date. Weight: Total 30% of final mark consisting of 15% for the poster and 15% for the oral presentation.
Relates to objectives: 1,3, and 5.
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Summative) - You will be required to answer a take home examination. The exam may consist of exercises, short answers and essays designed to assess your knowledge of the theoretical and applied aspects of population management gained from the unit.
Relates to objectives: All.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Text:
The diverse nature of topics covered in this unit precludes the use of a standard text. Reading lists and resource materials appropriate for each section of content will be provided throughout the semester.

References:

1. Braysher M (1993) Managing Vertebrate Pests, Principles and Strategies. Canberra: AGPS

2. Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook http://ipmworld.umn.edu/

3. Caughley G & Sinclair ARE (1994) Wildlife Ecology and Management, London: Blackwell Science

4. Hanski IA & Gilpin ME (eds) Metapopulation Dynamics: Empirical and Theoretical Investigations, New York:Academic Press

5. McGlade J (ed) (1999) Advanced Ecological Theory: Principles and Applications, London: Blackwell Science

Useful journals include:

Journal of Applied Ecology.
Austral Ecology.
Ecological Applications.
Wildlife Monographs.
Wildlife Research.

Risk assessment statement

The unit consists of classroom-based lectures, discussions and practicals, all of which are extremely low risk activities. Risk assessments for field trips identify several low impact risks, including: travel; slips and trips; animal bites, and animal and plant stings. A health and safety manual detailing health, safety and emergency procedures associated with laboratory and field activities is available to students. Students are required to read, understand and put into practice all safety guidelines. Safety considerations associated with field trips will be discussed in pre-trip briefings with printed notes related to safety issues being distributed where appropriate.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Oct-2012