This subject requires on campus attendance. Refer to Additional Requirements for more information.
Ecology
UndergraduateRMI-SCB3052024
Course information for 2024 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Weigh up factors that impact ecosystems, such as fire, invasion and population. Compare different ecological communities with one another. Complete this subject with an understanding of the techniques used when taking ecological samples in the field.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Ecology
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- outline the key structural and energy flows in a variety of ecosystems;
- explain the concepts of succession and dynamism in ecosystems;
- explain the principles and examples of how population dynamics interact with management of reserves;
- outline the main factors affecting ecosystems (fire, invasions, competition) and their management;
- investigate unknown ecosystems for these flows, both qualitatively and quantitatively choose and use appropriate methods to sample terrestrial and aquatic habitats for their main flora and fauna, populations and environmental quality;
- Choose and use appropriate methods to sample terrestrial and aquatic habitats for their main flora and fauna, populations and environmental quality.
- Basic ecological principles - ecosystem level; energy flow; productivity; nutrient cycling; community structure; comparing communities
- Basic ecological principles - population level; population sizes and distributions; survey design; population dynamics; management of reserves
- Habitat ecology; sampling techniques for plants and animals in freshwater; marine and terrestrial habitats; environmental quality
- Environment management techniques and problems; control of vegetation; fire ecology; design of reserves; revegetation; pest control; land planning
This subject covers ecological sampling and ecology, including practical skills in ecological sampling techniques and their application to the study of ecological systems and environmental pollution. This subject trains students in the utilisation of ecological sampling techniques in the field to solve applied ecological problems and in preparing critical scientific reports.
- Assignments (60%)
- Invigilated Exam (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
RMI-SCB300-Plant Diversity (no longer available)
RMI-SCB120-Plant Structure and Function (no longer available)
RMI-SCB130-Animal Structure and Function (no longer available)
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
RMI-SCB302 (Not currently available)
Additional requirements
- Attendance requirements - 22 October, 9 am - 1 pm, Field trip 1: Merri Creek (Clifton Hill), 23 October, 9 am - 1 pm, Field trip 2: Nicola Davis Conservation Reserve ( South Morang)
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.