Courses & Units

Tasmanian Field Ecology KPZ301

Introduction

In this unit, you will experience the major natural ecological communities in Tasmania and the key processes shaping them. You will be introduced to the diversity of organisms found in environments from near sea level moorlands to exposed alpine heaths, from rich basalt soil to ancient, weathered quartzite, and from sites ravaged by clear felling and burning to ancient cool, temperate rainforest. The first five days of the course are based in the spectacular National Parks of Central and Western Tasmania, including a strenuous walk along the Tarn Shelf, over Newdegate Pass & back along the Rodway Range. Students who are not physically fit must seek the advice of the unit coordinator before enrolling. Alternative fields sites may be used at short notice, subject to availability and/or access to field sites. The second part of the course uses three days of field studies and some laboratory-based work to introduce demographic techniques, conservation strategies & practice.

Summary

Unit name Tasmanian Field Ecology
Unit code KPZ301
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Sciences and Engineering
School of Natural Sciences
Discipline Biological Sciences
Coordinator Professor Mark Hovenden
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart 5 Week Session Feb B On-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
5 Week Session Feb B 5/2/2024 12/2/2024 22/2/2024 10/3/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Differentiate the major types of ecological communities found in Tasmania
  • Accurately identify many Tasmanian species
  • Explain the ecological factors affecting species distributions, including the role of climatic, edaphic, topographic and disturbance factors
  • Assess a community via analysis of field observations and data collected in the field
  • Communicate effectively in a range of formats

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
010905 $1,118.00 $1,118.00 not applicable $2,596.00

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology OR KPA214 Plants in Action OR KPA210 Plants of Tasmania OR KPZ313 Plants of Tasmania

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

5 Feb-9 Feb and then 12-14 Feb., 2024 ; informal lectures through unit and 8 days of field work

AssessmentPortfolio (10%)|Public Communication (20%)|Report (20%)|Field notes / Report (50%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

LinksBooktopia textbook finder

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