Courses & Units

Ecology of Ecosystems KPZ307

Introduction

This unit is all about the study of how ecosystems function, which gives it great relevance from scientific and management perspectives. We will examine the processes that operate in terrestrial and aquatic communities and ecosystems from both a theoretical and practical point of view. The lecture series gives a thorough theoretical background into the development of ideas concerning community and ecosystem-level processes, including the importance of such factors as biodiversity and climate change in maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems. The practical component, which is largely based in the field, teaches methods of sampling ecosystems, collecting data and doing experiments, as well as the analysis and interpretation of results.

Summary

Unit name	Ecology of Ecosystems
Unit code	KPZ307
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
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1	On-Campus		International	Domestic

Key

: On-campus
: Off-Campus
: International students
: Domestic students

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	21/2/2022	22/3/2022	11/4/2022	29/5/2022

* 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 2022 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2022 will be available from the 1st October 2021. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

design and apply appropriate methods for studying ecosystem patterns and processes
explain the various theories of how communities are assembled and how this affects ecosystem function
design and analyse basic ecological experiments and explain their role in modern community and ecosystem ecology
describe the flow of nutrients and energy through ecosystems and predict the impacts of environmental perturbations on these flows
present ecological theories, data and results in the form of written scientific manuscripts.

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
010903	$1,002.00	$1,002.00	not applicable	$2,354.00

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

Admission into a Masters course OR (KZA211 Population and Community Ecology OR KPA214 Plants in Action OR KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology)

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

KPA379 AND KZA355

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 X 2-hr lecture weekly and 1 x 4-hr practical weekly, two full-day field trips
Assessment	Report (10%)\|Report (30%)\|Data analysis (10%)\|Examination (50%)
Timetable	View 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.
Links	Booktopia textbook finder

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.