CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENVR12002 Applied Ecology
Applied Ecology
All details in this unit profile for ENVR12002 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Applied Ecology is the science of understanding and managing natural living resources. Over-harvesting of exploited species, habitat loss, and the spread of invasive species are among the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Solutions to these problems are complex, but firmly embedded in the fundamental tenets of ecological knowledge and theory. This unit will provide you with a broad perspective of the field of applied ecology by working across different ecological levels (ecosystem, community, population and species) and issues, in the process you will explore how ecological knowledge and theory is applied to the management of natural living resources.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites ZOOL11005 Foundation Animal Biology and BOTN11004 Foundation Plant Biology or BIOL11099 Living Systems and BIOL11100 Functional Biology or BIOL11102 and ENVR11014. Anti-requisite BIOL13031 - Ecology: Theory and Application

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2024

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from SUTE Unit comment report.

Feedback

Students stated that they learnt a lot from the practical block and provided feedback that residential school was well paced and contributed to understanding of real world practices and improved skill in the area of environmental ecology.

Recommendation

The residential school will continue to focus on the development of real world applied skill sets relevant to environmental science practices.

Feedback from SUTE Unit comment report.

Feedback

Student feedback stated that this subject was very well done and clear.

Recommendation

Continue the use of multi-channel communication as means of supporting clarity in the delivery of information.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe how ecological principles are applied to the protection, management, and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic living resources and ecosystems
  2. Discuss the elements, concepts, and theories of population and community structure and dynamics
  3. Apply integrated knowledge of population, community and ecosystem ecology to real world situations using industry standard methods
  4. Develop and utilise the skills necessary to undertake ecological fieldwork successfully and to analyse ecological data/models.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 30%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Applied Ecology Monitoring, managing, and conserving

(2017)
Authors: Anne Goodenough and Adam Hart
Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198723288 4
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Guy Carton Unit Coordinator
a.carton@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO APPLIED ECOLOGY

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 2: SURVEYING AND MONITORING

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 3: BEFORE, AFTER, CONTROL, IMPACT (BACI)

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 1 will open 7:00am (AEST) Friday of Week 3

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 4: ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 1 will close 11:55pm (AEST) Friday of Week 4

Theory Quiz 2 will open 7:00am (AEST) Friday of Week 4

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 5: REMOTE SENSING

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 2 will close 11:55pm (AEST) Friday of Week 5

 

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 6: EXPLOITED SPECIES - WILD CAPTURE FISHERIES

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 7: EXPLOITED SPECIES - WILD CAPTURE FISHERIES

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 3 will open 7:00am (AEST) Friday of Week 7

Week 8 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 8: WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 3 will close 11:55pm (AEST) Friday of Week 8

Week 9 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 9: LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 10: RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 11: ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 4 will open 7:00am (AEST) Friday of Week 11

Week 12 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

WEEK 12: ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION OF IMPACTED SITES

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Theory Quiz 4 will close 11:55pm (AEST) Friday of Week 12


Practical Report 1: Growth Modelling Assessment of Marine Fish Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz(zes) / Short Answer Questions

Task Description

Online Quiz(zes)/Short Answer Questions will test knowledge across several key areas:

  1. Ecological surveying and monitoring / BACI (Topics Week 2 and 3).
  2. Ecological indicators (Topic Week 4).
  3. Exploited Species: Wild capture fisheries (Topic Week 6 and 7).
  4. Wildlife interactions / Landscape ecology and management / Environmental restoration (Topic Week 8, 9, and 11).


Number of Quizzes

4


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Quiz 1 due 11:55pm Friday Week 4, Quiz 2 11:55pm Friday Week 5, Quiz 3 11:55pm Friday Week 8, Quiz 4 11:55pm Friday Week 12


Return Date to Students

Immediately following online submission and completion of the quiz.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Periodic online quizzes/short answers are based on lecture and study material from the previous week(s).

For ALL students, online quizzes will open on the Friday (7:00am) of the week of the topic (e.g. Quiz 1 covers Week 2 and 3, so opens 7:00am Friday of Week 3) and is open for 7 days (e.g. Quiz 1 closes on 11:55pm Friday of Week 4). Students will have one attempt per quiz. Questions can be a mix of true/false, multiple choice, mix-and-match, short answers, and other formats. Answers will be assessed for completeness and correctness.

Do not share your questions or answers with other students as this may disadvantage other students, and such behaviour will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in academic misconduct.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Quizzes will self-submit after expiry of the allocated time.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe how ecological principles are applied to the protection, management, and restoration of terrestrial and aquatic living resources and ecosystems
  • Discuss the elements, concepts, and theories of population and community structure and dynamics

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Report 1: Growth Modelling Assessment of Marine Fish

Task Description

During your ENVR12002 Residential School you will undertake activities that require the application of scientific and industry standard monitoring, assessment and surveying methodologies and technologies. These activities will be primarily across two areas; 1) Growth Modelling Assessment of Marine Fish (Practical Report 1), and 2) Ecological Surveying Methods (Practical Report 2). Following the Residential School you will use the data collected during each activity to write up and present the results and conclusions in the format of a scientific/industry standard report.

To assist you with the task of writing up the reports, general assistance with the interpretation and analysis of data will be provided at the conclusion of each activity during the Residential School.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)

Assessment, feedback and marking rubric returned via the unit Moodle site


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Practical Report will be assessed on:

  1. Completeness (relevant observations, methods and results relating to growth assessment and modelling of teleost fish).
  2. Discussion of the results in context with current and relevant fisheries methods for assessment and predictive modelling of fish growth.
  3. Appropriate application and discussion of teleost fish growth and modelling assessment(s) and applications/limitations in the management of exploited stocks.
  4. Clarity, grammar, punctuation and organisation.
  5. Presentation of figures, tables and diagrams (to publication standard).
  6. Correct inline referencing of figures/tables/diagrams.
  7. Appropriate and correctly-cited references with appropriate author-date citation (Harvard referencing).
  8. Word limit of 2000 words.

Further details of the assessment criteria and rubric will be available on the unit Moodle (Week 10: Residential School) and discussed with students at the conclusion of the Residential School.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload your assessment to the drop box on the unit Moodle.

Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the elements, concepts, and theories of population and community structure and dynamics
  • Apply integrated knowledge of population, community and ecosystem ecology to real world situations using industry standard methods
  • Develop and utilise the skills necessary to undertake ecological fieldwork successfully and to analyse ecological data/models.

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Report 2: Ecological Surveying Methods

Task Description

During your ENVR12002 Residential School you will undertake activities that require the application of scientific and industry standard monitoring, assessment and surveying methodologies and technologies. These activities will be primarily across two areas; 1) Growth Modelling Assessment of Marine Fish (Practical Report 1), and 2) Ecological Surveying Methods (Practical Report 2). Following the Residential School you will use the data collected during each activity to write up and present the results and conclusions in the format of a scientific/industry standard report.

To assist you with the task of writing up the reports, general assistance with the interpretation and analysis of data will be provided at the conclusion of each activity during the Residential School.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (18 Oct 2024)

Assessment, feedback and marking rubric returned via the unit Moodle


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Practical Report will be assessed on:

  1. Completeness (relevant observations, methods and results relating to assessment of species diversity through application of different sampling techniques).
  2. Discussion of the results in context with current and relevant ecological sampling techniques that seek to measure and quantify species diversity.
  3. Appropriate application and discussion of sampling and assessment of species diversity and consideration of habitat classification for ecological management.
  4. Clarity, grammar, punctuation and organisation.
  5. Presentation of figures, tables and diagrams (to publication standard).
  6. Correct inline referencing of figures/tables/diagrams.
  7. Appropriate and correctly-cited references with appropriate author-date citation (Harvard referencing).
  8. Word limit of 2000 words.

Further details of the assessment criteria and rubric will be available on the unit Moodle (Week 10: Residential School) and discussed with students at the conclusion of the Residential School.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload to the link on the Assessment page on the Unit Moodle.

Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the elements, concepts, and theories of population and community structure and dynamics
  • Apply integrated knowledge of population, community and ecosystem ecology to real world situations using industry standard methods
  • Develop and utilise the skills necessary to undertake ecological fieldwork successfully and to analyse ecological data/models.

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?