Courses & Units

Fauna of Tasmania KPZ314

Introduction

Tasmania has a distinctive fauna, even in Australian contexts, but it illustrates a range of principles that are globally relevant. This unit will provide students with an understanding of the factors that influence the diversity and distribution of biota, with an emphasis on insular systems (island biogeography) and the roles of abiotic and biotic factors. Some fauna will be approached from the perspective of their ecosystems (e.g., freshwater animals), while others will be dealt with on a taxon-by-taxon basis, but emphasising aspects of their ecology and evolutionary history that can explain their present diversity and distribution. The unit also challenges students to critically assess questions of relevance to fauna conservation, drawing support from published sources. The practical component develops proficiency in field survey design and techniques, and downstream critique of results. The combination of this unit with the field-based the summer school KPZ301 Tasmanian Field Ecology, and KPZ313 Plants of Tasmania provides some of the best undergraduate training in practical field ecology in Australia.

Summary

Unit name	Fauna of Tasmania
Unit code	KPZ314
Credit points	12.5
College/School	College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences
Discipline	Biological Sciences
Coordinator	Associate Professor Christopher Burridge
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 2	On-Campus		International	Domestic

Key

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

Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	22/7/2024	16/8/2024	9/9/2024	27/10/2024

* 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

Evaluate factors that influence the diversity and distribution of biota, particularly in regard to insular systems such as Tasmania.
Conduct and interpret results of animal-based surveys, considering the limitations of the approaches used.
Defend or refute a position using peer-reviewed scientific literature in appropriately referenced written documents
Explain globally significant threats to fauna conservation and potential management solutions, supported by Tasmanian examples.

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
010915	$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

KZA212 Functional Biology of Animals

Mutual Exclusions

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

KZA215

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 x 2 hour lecture per week, 13 weeks Practical sessions held in 11 weeks, of 1-4 hours per practical Individual study: self-directed contribution to practical activities (scoring of camera trap images)
Assessment	Critical Appraisal Assignment (20%)\|Examination (40%)\|Fieldwork report (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable \| View the full unit timetable

Teaching Pattern

1 x 2 hour lecture per week, 13 weeks

Practical sessions held in 11 weeks, of 1-4 hours per practical

Individual study: self-directed contribution to practical activities (scoring of camera trap images)

Assessment

Critical Appraisal Assignment (20%)|Examination (40%)|Fieldwork report (40%)

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.
Recommended	McNab A. (2018) The Guide to Tasmanian Wildlife. Fullers Bookshop, Launceston.
Links	Booktopia textbook finder

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