MB5230:03
Design and Analyses in Ecological Studies
Townsville
Prerequisites: BS2001
Inadmissable Subject Combination: MB3230
26 lectures, 39 hours practicals. Second semester.
Available to DipResMeth, AdvCertResMeth, GDipSc, MAppSc and MSc students.
Staff: Dr M Sheaves.
This subject will examine both traditional methods and more advanced techniques in the design and analysis of ecological studies. It will address a range of areas of study commonly undertaken by marine biologists, particularly those involving animal growth, descriptions of populations and communities. Each topic will be centred around a case study using real data and will consider the biological background to the problem and experimental design, statistical analysis and interpretation appropriate to the problem.
Students will be required to attend lectures and practical classes in MB3230.
To provide students with first-hand experience of techniques they learn in MB5230, students will be required to design and implement a small biological study of their own as part of their on-course assessment. The results of this study will be presented as a report of publication quality.
Learning Objectives:
- to promote the development of skills in data analysis and interpretation relevant to the student’s own field of research;
- to encourage students to approach their research problems more laterally by providing a suite of alternative data analytical tools;
- to facilitate a deeper understanding of the philosophies underlying design and analysis in biological studies;
- to promote the development of a critical and rigorous approach to data collection and analysis.
Assessment by coursework assignment (70%); final examination (30%).