ENV BIOL 4050A - Advanced Ecology and Environmental Science (Hons) Part 1
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ENV BIOL 4050A Course Advanced Ecology and Environmental Science (Hons) Part 1 Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Contact Up to 10 Hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Incompatible ENV BIOL 4000A/B, ENV BIOL 4005A/B, ENV BIOL 4015A/B Restrictions BSc Honours Ecology & Environmental Science Assessment Literature review & Research Proposal; Broadening Essay; Short Essay Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kate Sanders
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Obtain scientific information in Environmental Biology from library research 2 Organise scientific information and present it in a logical and structured manner; 3 Evaluate and synthesise information and develop original ideas; 4 Dissect complex ideas; 5 Summarise the information gained (in 1-4 above) in written form (literature review, essay); 6 Prepare a clear and compelling research proposal; 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)
1,2,3,4,5 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
1,2,3,4,5 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
2,3,4,5,6 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
5,6 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
4,5,6 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
1,2,3,4,5,6 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course commences with several tutorials on techniques for searching on-line library data bases and building proficiency in finding and managing literature (using EndNote). Other tutorials are provided on writing skills and oral presentations early in the course. These expose the students to the techniques and strategies used to be able to assemble information, review this information and deliver it succinctly in written and oral form.
The primary method of teaching involves students learning by doing the assessed tasks, under the guidance of an academic supervisor(s). Students are expected to meet with the academic supervisor (different supervisors for the different tasks) several times during the development of the literature review, research proposal, and the broadening essay. These sessions should be student led.
Where possible the course includes a field camp to Kangaroo Island (not compulsory) where workshops on writing, oral presentations research planning and experimental design are run.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in this course should expect to spend, on average 18 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required (tutorials, workshops, meetings with academic supervisors), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading, discussing, writing and presenting).Learning Activities Summary
The course consists of a series of short tutorials and workshops that provide:
(1) skills for locating, summarising, critically assessing and managing scientific literature;
(2) arranging information into a logical order and developing syntheses of this information;
(3) writing reviews and essays that summarise findings and highlight deficiencies in knowledge that lead to
(4) developing a research proposal.
These tutorials largely provide tools that allow students to produce
(1) a literature review and research proposal; and then
(2) build on and improve those skills with two other written products (essays) on other biological topics and or different purpose to help broaden communication skills for modern society.
Importantly this course provides opportunities for students to learn by doing and much of the intensive and or specific training is done through informal interactions and discussions with academic staff and peers. -
Assessment
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 Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome Literature review & Research Proposal Formative & Summative Early April
40% 1-6 Broadening Essay Formative & Summative Early August 40% 1-6 Short Essay Formative & Summative Arranged with Honours Coordinator 20% 1-6 Assessment Detail
Literature review and research proposal (40 %)
The literature review and research proposal are completed early on in the Honours year to develop the background for the research project, formulate questions and plan approaches to doing research. The literature review should be 3000-4000 words and is fully referenced. The length of the proposal should be 1000-2000 words
Initial seminar based on review and research proposal (15 minutes, including questions). The initial seminar is not assessed.
Broadening essay (3000 - 4000 words; 40 %)
This essay is a review essay that is on a topic unrelated to the research projects. It should take the equivalent of about 6 full weeks of time.
Short essay (2000 words, 20 %)
This is also a broadening essay that covers material away from the intended area of research. Students arrange a time to receive a topic from the Honours Coordinator and then have exactly one week to research, write and submit the essay. This essay can be done at any time during the year after students have received feedback from their literature review.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:
NOG (No Grade Associated) Grade Description CN Continuing 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 .
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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.
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