ENV BIOL 3540 - Research Methods in Wildlife Conservation III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

An introduction to systematic methods of collection, analysis and reporting of field and laboratory data for practical applications in the field of wildlife conservation biology. Lectures outline the quantitative nature of conservation research and the value of robust sampling strategies and experimental methods. Some knowledge of basic statistics is required. Sampling design for field studies will be emphasised, and the elements of statistical tests, including linear modelling, will be considered in the context of their implementation and reporting standards against legislative and industry requirements. Practical work will complement methods introduced in lectures and involves use of computers and software in addition to field data collection at local sites. Workshops will be used to provide specialised expertise in Wildlife Conservation techniques.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENV BIOL 3540
Course	Research Methods in Wildlife Conservation III
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Incompatible	ENV BIOL 3006, ENV BIOL 3510, ENV BIOL 3520, ENV BIOL 3530
Assumed Knowledge	6 units of Level II ENV BIOL courses, STATS 1000 or STATS 1004 or equivalent
Restrictions	Available to BSc (Wildlife Conservation) students only
Assessment	Quizzes (in practicals), assignments, and final exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Steven Delean

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1.     Demonstratescientifically based sampling and experimental skills in contemporary conservation science

2.      Define logical observations, models and hypotheses to shape conservation research questions, both orally and written

3.     Demonstrate an understanding of different types of sampling, apply basic statistical techniques to real biological, environmental   and ecological data and correctly interpret the outcomes

4.     Develop rigorous sampling designs and apply them to real world wildlife conservation problems

5.     Demonstrate appropriate conventions in technical writing and graphical methods for presenting data in wildlife conservation

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	2-5
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1, 3, 4, 5
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	2-4
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	2, 5
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	3-5
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1, 2, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

The recommended text
assigned to this course is:

Problem-Solving in Conservation Biology and Wildlife Management, 2008
Blackwell publishing by James P. Gibbs, Malcolm L. Hunter Jr., Eleanor J. Sterling

ISBN-13: 978-1405152877
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures are supported by online material. Some lecture material will seek to ‘flip the classroom’ where the lecture room is
the forum for exploring ideas and creativity to problem solving, recognising alternate cultures have different perspectives of the generation of knowledge and the ethics of scientific discovery and quantitative analysis. Fieldwork, or simulations of field conditions and field work, will build student knowledge and experience in action-based leaning to develop the application of theoretical knowledge to practical problems that face
industry.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

This course will be delivered by the following means:

Teaching is through a combination of lectures (1 x 2 hours per week during semester), practicals (1 x 3 hours per week [8 weeks]), workshops (1 x 4 hours per week [4 weeks]), and tutorials (1 x 1 hour per week [8 weeks]).

Lectures will cover Fundamentals of logic, experimental design and variation in data; Sample design, hypothesis testing, t-tests; chi-squared tests, power analysis; Correlations, One-way ANOVA; Two-way ANOVA, BACI; Multivariate statistics; Linear models; Likelihood models; Generalised linear models; and; Bayesian statistics.

The practicals, tutorials and workshops will support the lecture topics

Small Group Discovery Experience

Field work or simulations of field conditions and field work require individual interaction with individual based projects that are developed by personal interaction with lecturing staff that are participants in the industry of wildlife conservation. Group size will vary but generally involve small groups of 3-4 students solving generic issues through to large groups of 10 students that need administrative support for issues such as learning Occupational Health and Safety procedures that are targeted to their project. Most types of interactions involve verbal communication and pending the level of difficulty, some computational assistance using computer software.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Type of assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes or No	Outcomes being assessed / achieved	Approximate Timing of Assessment
Quizzes	Formative & Summative	30%	No	1, 4	Weeks 3, 5, 7
Assignments	Formative & Summative	40%	No	1-5	Weeks 5 & 10
Final Exam	Summative	30%	No	1, 3-5	Exam Period

Assessment Detail

1. Lab Quizzes (30%)

There will be four lab quizzes in practical sessions that will be worth 5% (x2) and 10% (x2) each. Quizzes will be short-answer written quizzes of 20 minutes in duration. Written feedback will be provided in the following practical.

2. Assignments (40%)

There will be two assignments worth 15% and 25% respectively. Each assignment will consist of several problem-based questions that will require some computing work for data analysis and short answer type responses (half to one page).

3. Final Exam (30%)

A 2 – hour exam in the end of semester period that will draw on material from both lectures and practicals. It will require simple calculations, but will not involve computing.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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