Graduate School of The Environment
GSE853 Wildlife Management - Principles and Practices
About this Unit
Semester 1, 2010
Offered: X1 - External/online delivery; First Half-Year
Convenor: Georgeanna Story
Prerequisites/corequisites: None
Credit Points: 4
This unit examines the basic principles of wildlife management and focuses on their application for contemporary management issues within Australia. Through case studies, students will learn about issues such as pest management, threatened species management, wildlife harvesting, management at local and landscape scales, management of wildlife within and outside reserves and the challenges of managing wildlife for climate change. On completion of the unit students will have developed an understanding of wildlife management principles and issues, the principles of design, implementation and review of wildlife management programs, and the integration of wildlife research within management programs to meet commercial, cultural and biodiversity requirements. Assessment will be based on four assignments and involvement in the online discussion forum.
Teaching Staff
Convenor: Ms Georgeanna Story
Mobile: 0429 779 928
Email: scatsabout@yahoo.com.au
Classes
GSE853 is offered as an online unit via distance education with the unit content available through Blackboard. Within the unit site you will have access to weekly lecture materials, reference lists, recommended websites, assessment tasks and other relevant materials. Entry to the unit is through the log on page at http://learn.mq.edu.au/. Use your 8 digit student number for your username. There are no on-campus sessions or scheduled field trips for this unit.
Unit web page
Login to the unit through Blackboard (http://learn.mq.edu.au/)
Technology used and required
Students are required to be computer literate and possess basic skills in word processing, web searching and library use. Students are expected to either own, or have ready access to a suitable computer. The University provides email and web access to all students. The GSE has a teaching and computer laboratory E8A 341 where students can use computers when classes are not in session - check the timetable on the door. Information on specific software and hardware requirements and use of the university website can be found on the Technical Information page.
Learning Outcomes
Through the successful completion of this unit the student will have the following learning outcomes that contribute to a Macquarie University graduate's capabilities (listed as headings):
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
- Understand and discuss the theoretical concepts of wildlife management
- Understand legislation relevant to wildlife management
- Understand current wildlife management issues
- Understand the implications of climate change on wildlife populations
- Understand the principles of management plan development
- Determine appropriate management techniques for different objectives
- Understand and appreciate the options for management across land tenures
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
- Be able to incorporate cross cultural issues into management actions
- Be able to understand and analyse issues involving wildlife management
- Be able to collect and appraise information relating to wildlife populations
- Be able to critically assess management plans
- Understand management actions when faced with limitations and uncertainty
Problem Solving and Research Capability
- Develop ability to source information, analyse key points and synthesise an integrated report on the issue.
- Be able to analyse data and draw appropriate conclusions from results
- Develop a capacity for independent leaning
Creative and Innovative
- Develop and evaluate wildlife management techniques
- Develop creative thinking skills to address problems or gaps in knowledge
Effective Communication
- Demonstrate scientific report writing skills
- Plan and present information in a coherent and integrated manner
- Be able to effectively contribute to debate with clear and supported ideas
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global Citizens
- Understand the ethical considerations of wildlife management
- Be able to evaluate and integrate diverse cultural views
- Develop an understanding of local and global effects on wildlife populations
- Develop a professional and ethical responsibility
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
- Understand and appreciate the importance of social and cultural influences
- Be able to work at a professional level in groups of people with disparate backgrounds
- Develop the ability to understand the wider implications of environmental problems and their solutions
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
- Be able to apply wildlife management strategies to real situations
- Evaluate appropriate management options for each situation
- Be able to to incoroporate multiple disciplines to meet management target
Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Demonstrate effective time management and work organisation skills
- Assess your own learning and problem solving approach and performance
- Develop proffessional affiliations
Graduate Capabilities Developed
- Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
- Critical, Analytical & Integrative Thinking
- Problem Solving and Research Capability
- Creative and Innovative
- Effective Communication
- Engaged & Ethical Local and Global Citizens
- Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
- Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
Teaching and Learning Strategy
This unit is delivered online through Blackboard. Lectures are presented in a weekly format and each lecture includes a selection of references for further reading. A discussion board is available for a web based discussion on set questions posed within the lecture material. The discussion board is also useful for any question a student may have about other issues or problems encountered.
A basic description of the content covered each week follows.
Schedule of Lectures
| Week | Topics |
|---|---|
| 1 | What is wildlife management?
|
| 2 | Principles of wildlife management
|
| 3 | Ecological diversity
|
| 4 | Management issues
|
| 5 | Pest and weed management
|
| 6 | Wildlife harvesting
|
| 7 | To be or not to be 'Threatened'
|
| 8 | Reserves and wildlife management
|
| 9 | Management outside reserves
|
| 10 | Management plans
|
| 11 | Management at the landscape scale
|
| 12 | Climate change and wildlife management
|
| 13 | Overview and conclusions |
Assessment Requirements
The assessment tasks are designed to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the course content. The allocation of marks within each task reflects the relative importance of each task.
There are two assessment components within this unit:
- four (4) written assignments
- participation in online discussion.
Marks for the four assignments in the unit will be awarded on the following basis.
| Assignment | Max. Length | Marks | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: The role of Dingoes in Australia (Essay/report) | 1500 words | 10% | 15 March 2010 |
| Assignment 2: Fire Management (Essay/report) | 3000 words | 30% | 12 April 2010 |
| Assignment 3: Population dynamics and harvesting (Scientific report/essay) | 4000 words | 35% | 24 May 2010 |
| Assignment 4: Wildlife management and climate change (Essay/report) | 2000 words | 15% | 7 June 2010 |
| Discussion forum: online participation | 10% | Continual involvement |
How do I request and extension?
If you need an extension, please contact the Unit Convenor before the due date. You must supply a written note outlining your reasons for needing the extension. Extensions are normally granted for one (1) week only. Late assignments will be accepted and marked; but will incur a penalty of 10% loss of available marks per calendar day after the due date. To avoid this penalty, you must request and be granted an extension.
Examination conditions
There are no examination requirements within this unit.
Requirements to Complete this Unit Satisfactorily
Required and Recommended Texts/Materials
Set Text
Attiwill P and Wilson B 2006 Ecology: an Australian perspective Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.
Copies of this text are available through the Co-Op Bookshop at Macquarie University.
Academic Honesty
Macquarie University defines plagiarism in its rules: "Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own." Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. You must read the University's practices and procedures on plagiarism. These can be found in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies or on the web at: http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/
The policies and procedures explain what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, the procedures that will be taken in cases of suspected plagiarism, and the penalties if you are found guilty. Penalties may include a deduction of marks, failure in the unit, and / or referral to the University Discipline Committee.
The GSE recommends that students familiarise themselves with the information contained on the Georgetown University Honor Council website which discusses plagiarism in an easy to understand and comprehensive manner.
All assignments will be screened with "Turnitin" anti-plagiarism software
University Policy on Grading
Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from Fail to High Distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).
On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive. Under the Senate guidelines, results may be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of comparability across the university, so that units with the same past performances of their students should achieve similar results.
It is important that you realise that the policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed in any unit. In fact it does something like the opposite, in requiring examiners to explain their actions if more than 20% of students fail in a unit.
The process of scaling does not change the order of marks among students. A student who receives a higher raw mark than another will also receive a higher final scaled mark.
For an explanation of the policy see:
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/Guidelines2003.doc or
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/detailedguidelines.doc
Special Consideration Policy
The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability.
The Special Consideration Policy is instituted to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level.
Student Support Services
Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.
Advice for Students with Disabilities/Health Conditions
The Equity Support Unit (ESU) provides support and assistance to students with a disability / health condition in aiming to ensure that they do not experience disadvantage in reaching their academic potential. Service provision is determined on a case-by-case basis following an assessment of a student's needs and the provision of supporting documentation. Service provision is also dependent on the availability of resources.
To register with ESU, download an Advice of Disability / Health Condition form from http://www.reg.mq.edu.au/academic-index.html. This form must be completed annually, irrespective of whether a disability / health condition is temporary, long-term or permanent. Students wishing to request support services from the ESU should make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor immediately after enrolling at Macquarie University.
Phone: (02) 9850 6494/7497
Fax: (02) 9850 6063
TTY: (02) 9850 6493
Email: equity@mq.edu.au
In person: Level 2, Lincoln Building (C8A), Macquarie University
Website: http://www.sss.mq.edu.au/equity