Graduate School of The Environment
GSE856 Wildlife Survey
About this Unit
Semester 2, 2011
Offered: X2 - External/online delivery; Second Half-Year
Convenors: Dr Jim Shields and Adam Fawcett
Prerequisites/corequisites: GSE854 Biodiversity Survey and Habitat Assessment Techniques OR BIOL 861 Management of Australian Wildlife
Credit Points: 4
The unit teaches methods to design, conduct and interpret flora and fauna surveys with a focus on more specialised skills in the collection and presentation of survey data. Modelling and analysis at a level sophisticated enough to inform wildlife management decisions will be taught. Concepts include home range analysis and estimating population sizes.
The unit provides training in advanced wildlife survey techniques that are usually difficult to gain experience and training in. Students are given an opportunity to gain hands on experience in the use of these techniques and analysis of the survey data. The unit builds on skills and techniques studied in GSE854 and develops the application of these techniques in association with the techniques concentrated in this unit.
No changes have been made to the unit since it was offered in 2010.
Teaching Staff
Convenors:
Adam Fawcett
Mobile: 0427 929 554
Email: adam.fawcett@mq.edu.au
Dr Jim Shields
Mobile: 0417 732 071
Email: jim.shields@bigpond.com
Classes
The unit has two components:
- A distance component using web-based delivery through the Macquarie University online teaching website Blackboard CE6. Students are expected to work at their own pace through the unit material with ongoing guidance and discussion from unit conveners and teaching assistants.
- A five-day field trip will be held at Manna Park, Merimbula on the NSW South Coast. This will provide hands on experience and further learning input to deliver the practical skills described in the learning objectives. The field trip will involve both field and lab based lectures and exercises to develop these skills.
The date of the field trip is planned for Wednesday 31 August to Sunday 4 September 2011.
It is strongly recommended that all students attend the field trip although it is not compulsory. Details are provided in Blackboard at the start of the Semester or contact the Unit Conveners for more information.
Please note that should there be a clash with other units during the dates of the field trip (either field trips or compulsory course-work components) students will need to decide which unit they wish to be enrolled in for this semester to enable attendance.
Unit web page
Login to the unit through Blackboard CE6
Technology Used and Required
Students are required to have access to a computer and the internet to access the teaching website and lecture materials. Students will also be required to have access to a word processor, spreadsheet manager and database programs to be able to complete set assessment tasks.
For field work students will require access to some field equipment, a complete list of which will be supplied within the teaching website on activation.
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):
1. Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
- Gain awareness of the range of more advanced and specialist methods available to quantify plant and animal communities or populations
- Gain in field and lab experience in the practise of a range of advanced and specialist survey techniques.
2. Critical, Analytical & Integrative Thinking
- Critically analyse and evaluate survey data and scientific reports, relevant to wildlife surveys
- Develop skills in data manipulation, analysis and interpretation
- Application of suitable analysis methods and programs to analyse the results of advanced wildlife surveys and integrate results into a suitable reporting format
3. Problem Solving and Research Capability
- Develop an understanding of the planning and implementation of field work necessary for projects utilising specialists wildlife survey techniques
- Investigate use and application of suitable analysis programs used for analysing survey data
4. Creative and Innovative
- Make full use of wildlife survey data through analysis and use of all data collected.
- Apply skills to improve results from wildlife survey during field components
5. Effective Communication
- display discussion and presentation skills
- plan and present written arguments in coherent, well structured and documented form
6. Engaged & Ethical Local and Global Citizens
- Be able to ensure that procedures are safe for personnel
- Ensure survey techniques are ethical with regard to flora and fauna at all times
7. Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
- Minimise impact of wildlife surveys undertaken on the people using sites, wildlife being surveyed and the environment surveys are undertaken in
8. Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
- Recognise the strengths and limitations with respect to personal skill level
- Develop the ability to seek expert help and advice as needed based on scenario and personal skill levels
- Reflect on how personal experiences influence your own capacity for critical analysis
- Present a convincing argument for the results of wildlife survey and data analysis
- Critique work undertaken by peers in a constructive and informative manner
9. Commitment to Continuous Learning
- demonstrate effective time management and work organisation skills
- demonstrate effective project management skills
- assess your own learning and performance in group work and class and your ability to work in cross disciplinary and multi cultural situations
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
The unit is designed to give students an understanding and skills in advanced and specialist wildlife survey techniques. Teaching material is delivered online with topics divided into the semester weeks. Given the online nature of this lecture material, students are expected to participate in online discussions of addition material provided or source and discuss additional material as instructed. Content most closely related to field work will also be delivered as part of the field trip.
Topics covered include:
- Introduction: Review of fundamentals, principle and theory of advanced wildlife techniques.
- Turning Data to Results: Techniques for Scientific and Management Use
- Vegetation surveys. In depth presentation of a techniques for vegetation survey and analysis.
- Tracks and traces surveys, focusing on sand pads, bait mounds, tracking mammals and finding signs.
- Use of leg restraints traps - techniques and principles (including ethics)
- Hair and bone analysis
- Radio tracking
- Home range analysis
- Mist netting
- Specimen preparation
- Microbat sonar surveys – use of Anabat system and analysis
- Data analysis and reporting
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 components to assessment in this unit:
- Three (3) written assignments
- participation in online discussion, notably participation throughout the semester in several related discussion topics.
| Assignment | Max. Length | Marks | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Paper Critique (Essay/report) | 1500 words | 15% | 28 Aug 2011 |
| Specifications for Field Survey (Scientific report) | 3000 words | 35% | 25 Sep 2011 |
| Analysis of Data (Scientific report) | 4000 words | 40% | 13 Nov 2011 |
| Participation in Discussions Forum | - | 10% | 13 Nov 2011 |
All assignments will be submitted using the Assignments tool in Blackboard CE6 Teaching Website. Cover sheets (as provided) must be included with each assessment task.
How Do I Request an Extension?
Students may request an extension for any of the set assessment tasks with the unit convener. As per university guidelines, a one week extension is available on request. Further requests for an extension will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Macquarie University handbook. Students will be required to supply suitable documentation to support their request.
Examination Conditions
There is no formal examination for this unit. Set assignments form the assessment for this unit.
Requirements to Complete this Unit Satisfactorily
To successfully complete the unit, students are required to submit all assessment tasks and gain an overall pass mark from these assessment tasks.
Required and Recommended Texts/Materials
There is no set text for this unit. However, students will find the set text for GSE854 useful for this unit.
Specific reading materials for this unit are provided either via the Blackboard CE6 Teaching Website or through the Macquarie University Library website.
Academic Honesty
The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Academic honesty is an integral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
- all academic collaborations are acknowledged
- academic work is not falsified in any way
- when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.
All academic and professional staff involved in learning, teaching and research are expected to display leadership in this area.
One of the University's objectives is to produce ethically and socially aware graduates, capable of applying the skills and knowledge they have developed at University to all aspects of their lives, as well as to their academic work. Academic dishonesty undermines the integrity of the University's academic awards and assessment processes, and damages the University's reputation. It also reduces the effectiveness of a student's time at the University.
All students should familiarise themselves with Macquarie University's Academic Honesty Policy.
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 Assessment
Please visit Policy Central for an explanation of the University’s policy on assessment.
The rights and responsibilities of students with regard to assessment are outlined in the University’s assessment code of practice.
Grading System
An explanation of the the university's grading policy and grading system is available at Policy Central
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. The Study Skills Support Unit in the Dean of Students Office aims to offer academic support as well as a range of literacy study skills to assist students in acquiring a successful learning experience in MQ.
Current services include Study Skills Workshops and Individual Consultations. Students will also find a collection of useful Online Resources relating to different aspects of learning enhancement as well as other interesting topics on Study Skills Development on the Dean of Students website. The University is also offering free Academic Writing Programs for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
For International Students at MQ, there is a resource library that could assist with developing the skills and confidence to achieve a smooth and successful adjustment.
Whether you're a student or staff member, Campus Experience exists to provide you with a convenient, engaging, healthy and supportive environment during your time at Macquarie University.
Advice for Students with Disabilities/Health Conditions
The Disability Support Unit is one of the services provided by Campus Wellbeing. Staff from the Disability Support Unit work with students who have a permanent or temporary disability and/or health condition to get the services they need to have an equal opportunity to flourish at Macquarie University. Students can contact or register with the Disability Support Unit at any time before or during their studies at Macquarie. Contact the Disability Support Unit to learn more about the services that may be available to you to enable you to flourish in your studies.