James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020
BZ5880 - Ecology: Distribution, Abundance and Diversity
| Credit points: | 03 |
| Year: | 2020 |
| Student Contribution Band: | Band 2 |
| Administered by: | College of Science and Engineering |
Available to students admitted to the Diploma of Research Methods, Master of Applied Science, Graduate Diploma of Science, Graduate Certificate of Science, Master of Science, Master of Science (Professional), Graduate Certificate of Development Practice, Graduate Diploma of Development Practice or Master of Development Practice.
Subject Description
- This subject is an introduction to the key ideas in the ecology of plants and animals. This subject emphasizes the techniques and methods used to explain the distribution and abundance of species and how these measures help us understand the causes of extinction. This subject also explores how populations of individual species combine to determine local and global patterns in species diversity. Topics include fertility and mortality; population dynamics and population regulation; life history strategies; interactions between species (competition, facilitation, predation, herbivory, parasitism); dynamics of communities; island biogeography; limits to the co-existence of species.
Learning Outcomes
- ability to critically assess ecological hypotheses
- appreciation of the relationship between ecological theory and conservation and management of natural populations and communities
- be familiar with key concepts in population and community ecology
Subject Assessment
- Invigilated > Presentations - (15%)
- Invigilated > Tutorial attendance and participation - (20%)
- Non-Invigilated > Assignments - (20%)
- Invigilated > Centrally-administered final exam - (45%)
Note that 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.
Assumed Knowledge: Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of biology or environmental science, including, basic numerical and computer skills. Previous undergraduate studies in ecology or zoology.
Inadmissible Subject Combinations: BZ5440 BZ2440 BZ2880 BS2460 BS5460
Availabilities
Cairns, Study Period 2, Internal | |
| Census date: | Thursday, 27 Aug 2020 |
| Study Period Dates: | Monday, 27 Jul 2020 to Friday, 20 Nov 2020 |
| Coordinator(s): | Assoc. Professor Lucas Cernusak |
| Lecturer(s): | Professor Susan Laurance Professor Lin Schwarzkopf Assoc. Professor Lucas Cernusak Assoc. Professor Mia Hoogenboom Professor Michael Kingsford |
| Workload expectations: | The student workload for this 3 credit point subject is approximately 130 hours.
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