All units offered in 2013
Teachers: Dr Geoff While (Coordinator), Dr J O'Reilly, Dr G Jordan
A series of lectures and associated practicals introduces fundamental concepts in animal and plant ecology, and in animal behaviour and experimental design. A strong emphasis is placed on developing skills in practical ecology and scientific writing. Students are expected to participate in some group activities. The School provides special notes.
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Dr Ashley Edwards (Co-ordinator), Dr Scott Carver and Dr Reg Magierowski.
Provides an introduction to the scientific study of animals. There is a strong emphasis on developing skills in practical zoology and scientific writing; students are expected to participate in some group activities. They are introduced to the characteristics of the major invertebrate and vertebrate phyla from the perspective of an evolutionary interpretation of diversity. Lectures in comparative animal physiology, with an emphasis on Australian examples, provide a functional basis for an understanding of animal adaptations.
This unit replaces KPA150 Botany IG and KZA151 Zoology 1E which are no longer offered. Students wishing to study zoology at 2nd year level should enrol in both KZA161 and KPZ164.
Dr Scott Carver (co-ordinator), A/Prof Leon Barmuta, Prof Elissa Cameron.
This core unit will provide a broad training in fundamental aspects of zoology and with KZA212 (other core unit) forms an essential basis for specialist studies in Zoology at level 3. This unit focuses on developing students understanding of animal ecology and evolution. Lecture topic include: adaptive radiation, evolution of animal life cycles, and fundamental ecological principles. Practical classes aim to develop skills in observation, animal identification, data collection and analysis, oral and written communication, and an appreciation of the comparative approach to the study of animals. The practical format will be varied, involving some independent learning activities, and students will be required to participate in group work. There will be a weekend excursion early in semester. The excursion will introduce students to a range of field techniques, and will include animal observation and data collection exercises.
There will be two 1-hr lectures and one 3-hr practical per week.
Dr Ashley Edwards (Co-ordinator), Prof Elissa Cameron.
This core unit provides a broad training in fundamental aspects of zoology, and with KZA211 (the other core unit), forms an essential basis for specialist studies in Zoology at level 3.
This unit focuses on developing students' understanding of functional anatomy and comparative animal physiology from an evolutionary perspective.
Lectures include:
Practical classes aim to develop skills in observation, data collection and analysis, oral and written communication, and an appreciation of the comparative approach to the study of physiological adaptations in animals. The practical format will be varied, involving some independent learning activities, and students will be required to participate in group work.
Dr Chris Burridge.(Co-ordinator), Prof Elissa Cameron.
Tasmania has a distinctive fauna in both global and Australian terms. This unit provides an overview of the Tasmanian fauna and their habitats, and uses this to illustrate a range of ecological, evolutionary and biogeographical principles. Some fauna will be approached from the perspective of their ecosystems (e.g. caves, freshwater systems), while the terrestrial vertebrates will be dealt with by taxon, but emphasising the ecology of the individual species and their evolutionary relationships. The unit concludes with a block of lectures discussing the effects on the Tasmanian fauna of forest management and conservation practices. The practical component will develop your familiarity with the fauna through field observations and collections.
This unit runs in Semester 1 only. There will be 2x1-hr lectures and a 4-hr practical weekly. There will be a 2-day field excursion.
A/Prof Leon Barmuta (Coordinator),Dr Ashley Edwards
You will explore contemporary theories and concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology, and the impacts of modern zoological thinking upon society. Topics discussed may include developmental biology, macroevolution, conservation, the impacts of introduced species and the role of Darwinism in social policy.
You will work through a series of structured readings, self-guided research and group discussions based on selected, topical concepts in Zoology The emphasis is on improving skills in finding and collating scientific evidence, understanding and evaluating arguments, and presenting scientific arguments in a professional manner. You will be assessed through assignment work only.
Dr Geoff While (Co-ordinator).
This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of behavioural ecology within an evolutionary framework.
There will be an emphasis on fundamental principles (e.g., the ways in which animals interact with their own and other species and the environment, mechanisms to maximise reproductive success, determinants of fitness of an individual).
In lectures, these principles will be highlighted by presentation of the history and theory of behavioural ecology, recent examples and advances (primary literature and research within the School), and detailed case studies.
Practicals will develop students' understanding of relevant research methodology, with an emphasis on research design. Extended workshops/discussions will allow in depth exploration of specific areas of behavioural ecology, while a group research project will emphasise experimental design and data collection in a real situation.Scientific presentation skills will be developed through presentation of the research project to peers as a conference talk, and in a written report in the form of scientific journal article (e.g., Behavioural Ecology).
An assignment in the format of a review in Trends in Ecology and Evolution will further develop the students' ability to synthesise and communicate cutting edge ideas in behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology.
Unit coordinators: Prof Sue Jones (Sem 1), Dr Chris Burridge (Sem 2).
The unit consists of a 1-semester long independent research project in Zoology (can be taken over summer). It will involve the equivalent of 5 to 6 hours contact time per week (approximately 80 hours) planning, conducting, analysing and reporting on a research topic negotiated between the student and the supervising academic.
This unit is restricted to students :
Enrolment is at the discretion of the Head of School: applicants will be advised by e-mail from the unit coordinator of whether they have been accepted into the unit.
Projects will generally be restricted to those offered by staff although other projects may be considered subject to prior agreement between the student, supervisor, unit co-ordinator and Head of School. Students who wish to enrol must contact the unit coordinator,Dr Chris Burridge, so that they can be matched with a project and supervisor, and are also advised to talk directly to potential supervisors.
Enrolments will only be approved when the student confirms they have arranged a project and a supervisor.
How will the unit be taught: First, second, or summer semester. One semester long. Pattern of contact hours subject to negotiation with supervisor.
This unit provides theoretical and practical training in scientific diving, focusing on both safe diving procedures in the conduct of science underwater and a range of scientific techniques used commonly by scientific divers.
Students who complete the course satisfactorily will gain formal professional certification as an unrestricted scientific diver. This qualification is recognised nationally and by several overseas countries.
Scientific Diving is offered as a three week intensive summer course in Sem 5 ( Nov - Dec ) and in semesters 3 ( Jan - Feb ) and 4 (June/July - dates TBA)...read more
Coordinator: Prof Mark Hindell
Semester 2; Thursday 11-1 & 2-6
Learn all about the Antarctic marine ecosystem! In this course we will cover the physical and biological influences on nutrient distribution, food webs, and zooplankton communities. We talk about the unique adaptations required by organisms to enable them to exist in this most challenging environment. You will also hear about past and present exploitation of marine resources and consider the growing importance of resource management for the Southern Ocean.
We are fortunate in having a number of internationally renowned Antarctic biologists in Hobart, and a key feature of this course is to draw on this unique opportunity and involve these experts in both the practical and lecture components of the course. So, you get the latest information on issues such as global warming, the ozone hole, and conservation biology, and the chance to interact with scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division, the University's Institute of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies and CCAMLR.
Obviously we can't send you to Antarctica (yet!) but there is still a great deal of interesting practical work that we can do using material that has been specifically collected for you in the Antarctic.
Coordinator: A/Prof Leon Barmuta
Semester 1; Tuesday 10-12 & 1-5
With Australia being the driest inhabited continent, understanding the ecology of fresh waters is especially urgent. Although Tasmania has had its share of major impacts (dams, drainage of wetlands, rivers), we are still fortunate to have many relatively undisturbed habitats and an exciting endemic fauna some of it within walking distance of the Hobart campus! In addition, freshwater organisms are increasingly being used to monitor and assess the condition of rivers, wetlands and lakes, and there is a steady demand for graduates competent in the ecology of inland waters.
In this unit we focus on understanding the physical, chemical and biological processes of freshwater systems. There are two formal field excursions (held during timetabled slots within the semester) and the second half of the semester's practical work is devoted to independent group research projects. These projects give you the opportunity to experience designing and implementing freshwater research first-hand, and enable you to build on the skills you have learned in the first part of the unit.
By the end of the unit, we hope that you will have developed a well-rounded, basic understanding of how fish, invertebrates and aquatic plants function in inland waters, what human-induced changes threaten our freshwater heritage, and, how ecological knowledge can be used to improve the management of these habitats. You might even grow to appreciate the aesthetic fashion statement inherent in wearing waders!
Coordinator: Dr Jeff Ross
Semester 3, Short intensive course over summer: 10th Jan - 28th Jan.
Semester 1: Thursdays 10am-12pm & 1pm-5pm ( + 6 day excursion).
Tasmania's island status, its geographical location on the edge of the roaring forties, and diverse coastline provide a rich variety of marine species and habitats. There is no better place in Australia to study temperate marine ecosystems. The State's marine resources are the basis for a wide range of recreational activities, and they are a major contributor to the State's economy. With increasing demand for access to marine resources from a diversity of stakeholders, there is potential for increasing conflict. Accordingly, this unit covers the principal conservation issues in marine systems, and includes insight into the biological rationale behind the concepts of ecosystem based management and use of marine protected areas as instruments of conservation. The course considers a wide range of marine habitats and provides a thorough introduction to marine processes, including topics such as how marine communities function, the dynamics of marine systems and the underlying drivers of those dynamics, interactions among species and invasive marine species.
A highlight of the course is the 6 day field excursion to spectacular Maria Island where students get to work closely with staff and post graduate students in conducting their own high level research project, which they design and execute. Diving projects are available for those with SCUBA qualifications.
Coordinator: Prof Craig Johnson with A/Prof Leon Barmuta
Semester 1; Wednesday 9-10, 11-12 & 1-5
So, when we told you in First Year that "statistics is important", you didn't believe us, right? Well, you know better by now, and you should think seriously about doing this unit if you have any intention of pursuing a biological career (or any career that requires thinking in the context of design and data collection).
Every practising biologist needs a working knowledge of basic statistical methods, and that's one aim of this unit. Our goal is not to turn you into professional statisticians. Rather we aim to increase your quantitative literacy so that you can understand what is written in scientific papers, and be able to consult usefully with professional statisticians when you need to do so later in your career. However, this unit is about more than a bunch of statistical methods: we aim to improve the way you think about doing science by emphasising the logic that underpins each set of methods we cover. Good biological research always starts with good, properly planned design, irrespective of whether that research involves experiments or descriptive surveys. We introduce you to the tools needed to do this planning, as well as intensive, hands-on practical experience with commonly used, industrial-strength statistical software.
The Course and Unit Handbook entry tells you which topics we cover, and, if you're phobic of equations, don't worry: we are too, so we don't use any! Our emphasis is on understanding and using commonly used quantitative methods in biology rather than their mathematical development. The skills you develop in this unit will be valuable to you later on in your career as a professional biologist, many of our former students have said so!
Co-ordinator: Dr Chris Burridge, with Prof Chris Johnson, Dr Erik Wapstra, Dr Menna Jones, School of Zoology staff and guest lecturers.
Offered in Semester 2.
This unit covers the theoretical basis of conservation biology and wildlife management, linked with practical experience in field techniques.
Topics covered in lectures include:
You will learn and apply methods to estimate population size and demographic parameters, coupled with an introduction to population modelling techniques.
Dr Ashley Edwards (co-ordinator)
Authorised by the Head of School, Zoology
21 February, 2013
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