MB5260 - Ecological Dynamics: An Introduction to Modelling

Credit points:	03
Year:	2016
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	College of Science and Engineering

Available to Graduate Diploma of Research Methods, Graduate Certificate of Research Methods, Graduate Diploma of Science, Master of Applied Science, Graduate Certificate of Development Practice, Graduate Diploma of Development Practice, Master of Science and Master of Development Practice.

This subject provides an introduction to the formulation, analysis, application, and critical evaluation of ecological models, with a focus on marine applications. Lectures examine how models connect particular ideas about how ecological systems work to fundamental concepts in ecological theory, and on critically evaluating how analyses of model ecological systems can inform our understanding of real ecological systems. Practicals emphasize applying ecological models to solve problems in biodiversity conservation and management. Topics covered include population dynamics and extinction risk; ecological stability and resilience; fisheries modelling; dispersal, connectivity, and marine reserves; species interactions; biodiversity; and trophic dynamics. This subject is appropriate for empirically-oriented students seeking a better understanding of the relevance of ecological modelling for their field and laboratory research, as well as for students interested in postgraduate work in ecological modelling.

Learning Outcomes

• To formulate ecological models, by integrating information about ecological processes that occur on multiple scales, focusing on marine systems;
• To analyse ecological models, in order to determine how fundamental concepts in ecological theory arise from particular sets of assumptions about how ecological systems work;
• To critically evaluate the robustness of ecological concepts to the simplifying assumptions from which they have been derived;
• To critically evaluate how the formulation and analysis of model ecological systems informs our understanding of real ecological systems in nature;
• To apply the techniques of ecological modelling to solve core problems in conservation and management, particularly for marine systems.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with some university-level coursework in ecology. Some university-level mathematics is recommended, but not essential.
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	MB3260 AND MB3269

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2016
Coordinator:	Professor Sean Connolly
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 30 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (40%); quizzes or tests (20%); assignments (20%); modelling project (20%).

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.