MB3230:03
Design and Analyses in Ecological Studies
| Townsville | HECS Band 2 |
26 hours lectures, 39 hours practicals. Semester 2.
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.
Learning Objectives:
- to promote the development of problem solving skills, including the ability to tackle unfamiliar problems;
- to encourage the ability to critically analyse and interpret field data and previously published scientific studies, allowing students to develop their own conclusions and ideas;
- to facilitate students to develop competencies in scientific research, encompassing verbal, written, practical and group contexts;
- to provide the skills to present and interpret analyses in a biological context for the biological and ecological literature.
Assessment by coursework assignment (70%); final examination (30%).