MB3269 - Ecological Dynamics: An Introduction to Modelling (Advanced)

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

Only available to students enrolled in the BSc (Marine Biology - Advanced)

This subject will examine classical and contemporary issues in marine ecology at the population, community and ecosystem levels. Emphasis will be on the use of mathematical models to relate the process studied in small-scale field and laboratory studies to the larger spatial and temporal scales relevant to major research priorities in the ecology, conservation and management of marine systems.. Topics covered will include population dynamics, dispersal and connectivity, species interactions (competition, mutualism, consumer-resource interactions), biodiversity, the effects of physical processes on marine communities, and the dynamics of energy and nutrients in marine systems. Practicals will focus on the use of computer software as a tool to facilitate the analysis of ecological models. Students will be required to attend supplementary tutorials in addition to lectures and practicals for MB3260.This subject examines classical and contemporary issues in ecology at the population, community, and ecosystem levels, with a focus on marine systems. Emphasis is on relating findings from small-scale field and laboratory studies to the larger spatial and temporal scales relevant to major research priorities in ecology, conservation, and management. Ecological models are central to this endeavor and are the principal focus in lectures and practicals. Topics covered include population dynamics and extinction risk; dispersal and connectivity; species interactions (e.g., competition, predator-prey dynamics); biodiversity; and ecological resilience. Practicals focus on the use of computer software as a tool to understand ecological models and the modelling process. This subject is appropriate for field-oriented students interested in ecological dynamics at the population and ecosystem levels, as well as for students interest specifically in postgraduate work in ecological modelling. Students will be required to attend supplementary tutorials in addition to lectures and practicals for MB3260.

Learning Outcomes

• understand the major biological and physical processes affecting marine populations;
• understand the effects of spatial and temporal scale on the dynamics of marine ecosystems;
• become familiar with the formulation and analysis of ecological models, assisted by computer software;
• develop the capacity to use models as a means of integrating information about ecological processes that operate on multiple scales and assess how those processes interact to determine ecological dynamics at population and ecosystem levels;
• understand the major ecological processes influencing marine populations.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• The ability to select and use appropriate IT tools.

Prerequisites:	MA1003 and (MB2060 or BZ2440)
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MB3260 and MB5260

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 31-Aug-2007
Coord/Lect:	Professor Sean Connolly.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials 27 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (38% - 42%); other exams (18% - 22%); (40%).
Restrictions:	Enrolment in this offering is restricted.

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.