ENV BIOL 4050B - Advanced Ecology and Environmental Science (Hons) Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course is part of the Honours in Ecology and Environmental Science degree and runs in parallel with ENV BIOL 4060A/B Honours Ecology and Environmental Science Project. The aim of this course is to help you build essential research, critical thinking and science communication skills. You will develop and improve your ability to synthesise and review the scientific literature, present oral summaries of your research project, and develop technical and analytical skills involved with data analysis and interpretation. In carrying out these tasks you will develop an ability to collect and evaluate information, dissect complex ideas, identify gaps in knowledge, develop an interesting viewpoint, assemble a persuasive argument and draw valid conclusions. An important component is the development of a research proposal that will be implemented and executed in the course ENV BIOL 4050A/B (Honours Ecology and Environmental Science Project 1 & 2).

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Course Details

Course Code	ENV BIOL 4050B
Course	Advanced Ecology and Environmental Science (Hons) Part 2
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	9
Contact	Up to 10 Hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	ENV BIOL 4050A in previous Semester
Incompatible	ENV BIOL4000A/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 .

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.

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.

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:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

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.

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

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