SLE355 - Zoological and Wildlife Field Studies

Content

Well-designed field studies that test important ecological theories or the effectiveness of environmental management remain a key approach for how zoologists and wildlife ecologists understand or manage wild animals.  This unit aims to train students to design and undertake field studies that address how Australian wildlife populations respond to their natural environment, and changes to that environment. The unit’s classes and practicals will advance understanding in key zoology and wildlife ecology concepts and develop skills for the synthesis of literature, research design, experimental methods, data analysis and visualisation, critical evaluation, and scientific communication. Field based practical learning is the key focus of the unit’s learning and experience outcomes. Here students will participate in a field trip located at an off-campus location in Victoria. The field trip will allow students to develop technical proficiency in the use multiple ecological field methods that collect data used to study wildlife populations. Students will learn, through hands-on experience, how to survey wildlife using techniques such as trapping, pitfall trapping, observational surveys and camera-based surveys. These techniques will allow students to assess the interrelationships between flora and fauna and how this understanding can be used in management. Completion of this unit will see students having advanced their conceptual and practical skills desirable for employment in government, industry or the private sector.  

Unit Fee Information

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