JCU Australia logo

Subject Search

BZ3230 - Ecological Research Methods

Credit points: 03
Year: 2019
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: College of Science and Engineering

This subject presents the conceptual framework underlying the disciplines of population and community ecology. Topics presented include population growth, species interactions, community patterns and dynamics and determinants of diversity. The subject emphasises the techniques available to measure ecological response variables and students gain first-hand experience in the generation, design, running and reporting of an ecological research project.

Learning Outcomes

  • gain an ability to critically evaluate original research;
  • gain experience in all aspects of independent field research;
  • develop understandings of requirements of independent field research.
Assumed
Knowledge: 		Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of ecology and quantitative methods to describe biological responses and should have BS2460 or BZ2880 and SC2202 or SC2209 or equivalents.
Prerequisites: (SC2202 OR SC2209 OR BS2001 OR BZ2001) AND (BS2460 OR BZ2440 OR BZ2880)
Inadmissible
Subject
Combinations: 		BZ5220 ZL3042 ZL5042 BZ3220 BZ3400 BZ5400 BZ5230

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 10
Census Date 12-Dec-2019
Face to face teaching 25-Nov-2019 to 06-Dec-2019
Coord/Lect: Professor Lin Schwarzkopf.
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 39 hours practicals - Field work and regular supervisor meetings
    Assessment: presentations (10%); assignments (25%); research proposal and seminar (15%); centrally-administered final exam (50%).

    Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
    Census Date 29-Aug-2019
    Coordinator: Dr Brad Congdon
    Lecturers: Assoc. Professor Will Edwards, Dr Brad Congdon.
    Contact hours:
    • 26 hours lectures
    • 39 hours practicals - Field work and regular supervisor meetings
      Assessment: presentations (10%); assignments (25%); research proposal and seminar (15%); centrally-administered final exam (50%).

      Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.