James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2022

BZ3225 - Technological Applications in Ecology

Subject Description

Increasingly complex research questions and global challenges (e.g., climate change and biodiversity loss) are driving rapid development, refinement, and uses of technology in ecology. This subject will introduce students to newly emerging high-tech options becoming available for studying the natural world and how these technologies are opening up new possibilities for insights into nature and applications for understanding and conserving biodiversity. Students will learn how to employ these techniques in order to generate datasets, to distinguish when each technique is applicable, to interpret the results in the context of ecological hypotheses and to report these results in a professional manner. There may be additional charges for this subject; please contact the College for details.

There are additional charges for this subject; please contact the College of Science and Engineering (pre 2023 PCS) for details.

Learning Outcomes

• apply new/advanced technologies in gathering ecological data from natural populations and communities
• produce high quality analytical outputs such as figures and quantitative summaries
• apply analytical methods associated with instrument derived (sensor) data and present outcomes of these applications in both written and oral forms

Subject Assessment

• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (25%) - Individual
• Oral > Presentation 1 - (25%) - Individual
• Written > Research report - (35%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration - (15%) - Individual

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 ecology level 2 and quantitative methods in biology, and should have completed BZ2880 and SC2202 or SC2209 or equivalents.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  BZ5225

Availabilities