SLE244 - Marine Ecology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SQB244
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Graeme Hays
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: SLE242
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the trimester undertaking learning and assessment activities in this unit. This includes class time, designated learning activities in the practical sessions and field trip, assessment tasks, readings and study time.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour lecture per week, 4 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester, 1 x half-day practical experience (field trip) per trimester, 1 x half-day symposium (week 6).

Content

In Marine Ecology, you will learn about the features and function of marine systems with particular focus on life histories, dispersal, migrations and populations, communities, ecosystems, landscape ecology, and climate change. In addition, we will highlight how this ecological knowledge can help in the management and conservation of marine resources. The unit will also explore the techniques and methods of undertaking marine ecological research, including experimental and sampling design, data collection, and statistical analysis of data and presentation of research results. Students will participate in a group project to design, execute, analyse and interpret observational and experimental studies of marine animals in field and laboratory settings.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Demonstrate sound knowledge of marine habitat, organisms, ecological dynamics, and ecosystem functioning. Relate this ecological knowledge to the management and conservation of marine resources.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Work independently and collaboratively in experimental design and analysis such as designing experiments, analysing data and testing hypotheses. Develop capacity to manage challenges in marine systems and associated data.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Demonstrate transferrable employability skills by working collaboratively in a team to produce written science communication pieces suitable for a wide audience and effectively orally communicate real-world ecological topics and analysis to peers in a team environment.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO4

Reflect on the learning outcomes and show capacity for preparing and achieving personal and professional development goals with regards to ecological education and research.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Group oral presentation

Group oral presentation on an ecological topic, with each student speaking for ~5 minutes

15% Week 6

Assessment 2
Individual online knowledge quizzes

45-minute online quiz (max 15 questions) 15% Week 7

Assessment 3
Collaborative individual research report

Marine consultancy report consisting of 1) individual written executive summary (<1500 words), 2) collaborative (team-developed and written) data analysis summary (<750 words) 45% Week 11

Assessment 4
Individual reflection

Individual reflective piece of ~1000 words 10% Week 11
End-of-Unit Assessment Timed online quiz 15% End-of-Unit Assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE244 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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