MB5600 - Coral Reef Ecosystems

Credit points:	03
Year:	2013
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

Available to students with prior approval of the course co-ordinator. A quota applies based on enrolment numbers. There will be an extra cost for field expenses.

This subject is a two-week intensive subject that will be held at the tropical Orpheus Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. The subject focuses on the dominant taxa in reef environments and linkages between them. Emphasis is given to corals, other reef associated invertebrates (including echinoderms, plankton) and fishes. Ecological aspects of key organisms are explored. Aspects covered include distribution of corals, coral health, bleaching, coral disease, symbiosis on coral reefs, eg coral symbionts as well as other taxa, the input of plankton to reefs, the role of fishes in reef environments and threats to coral reef ecosystems - including climate change, overfishing and phase shifts.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop research skills using equipment in the field and laboratory as well as analysing, evaluating and presenting research in report form. Critically evaluate published information on coral reef ecosystems and write an essay that considers at least two alternative perspectives on a topical issue and how these may be consolidated;
• Gain an understanding of what makes reefs resilient and what the prospects and characteristics of future coral reefs are expected to be. Present ideas publically at a mini-symposium.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to encompass and use methods and conceptual advances in areas of knowledge cognate to their central area(s) of expertise.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have an excellent understanding of the principles of sampling design for ecology and biology; hypothesis generation for experiments in ecology and biology; data collection for ecology and biology; manipulations and interpretation of biological and ecological data; statistical methods used in biology and ecology; producing biological and ecological reports. Students will be required to attend MB3300 lectures and tutorials.
Prerequisites:	BZ5001
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MB3300

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 7
Census Date 11-Jul-2013
Face to face teaching 14-Jul-2013 to 22-Jul-2013
Coord/Lect:	Dr Lynne Van Herwerden.
Contact hours:	27 hours lectures 35 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	mini-symposium - coral reef of the future (25%); critical essay (25%); fieldwork report (50%).
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.