Research plays an important role in everyone's life. In the broadest sense we all enjoy the benefits of outcomes from medical and technological research. In environment and sustainability fields, research allows us to identify the sensitivity in climate, human and natural biological systems to external factors; respond to processes that threaten biodiversity and develop management strategies aimed at protecting and restoring ecological communities. Achieving these research outcomes relies upon establishing testable research questions, applying appropriate data collection and analysis methods, critically assessing results as well as effectively communicating the observations.
ENVS6103 uses a problem-focussed approach to introduce fundamental research concepts by exploring how researchers describe and quantify vegetation communities, animal populations as well as human attitudes and behaviour. You can expect to develop skills in ecological measurement and sampling as well as in designing and conducting social research projects. You will also develop analytical skills, including data exploration, as well as effective communication and analysis techniques common to all sciences. The course promotes learning through a combination of lectures as well as field- and computer-based practical exercises. During field-based exercises you will gain first-hand experience in collecting ecological data. We also place great importance upon understanding the role of equity, integrity and ethics plays in professional practice and how these principles intersect with research.
Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate a conceptual understanding of measurement approaches in ecological studies (LO1)
- identify and critically evaluate the main mathematical approaches to describing populations and growth in organisms (LO2)
- demonstrate an ability to apply concepts and methods of quantitative analysis, including regression, in the context of environmental data. (LO3)
- quantitatively describe linear trends within datasets to effectively summarise quantitative datasets (LO4)
- demonstrate a capacity to effectively communicate model outputs to a scientific/management community (LO5)
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:- Three online quizzes centred on recommended reading and analyses of class datasets (35%).
- A report focussed upon describing vegetation that utilises class datasets collected from local field sites and aims to develop skills in data handling, summary and interpretation (15%).
- A scientific journal article based upon interpretation of field-based fauna and flora data that aims to provide the opportunity to integrate knowledge of measurement, analysis and presentation to a scientific audience (25%),
- An extended abstract outlining a collaborative graduate research project completed during the semester that aims to deepen the engagement with analytical methods and provide students with direct exposure to research practice (25%).
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
68 contact hours comprising lectures, tutorials and practicals/field excursions.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
To be advised.
Assumed Knowledge
No specific knowledge required.
Areas of Interest
- Forestry
- Geography
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Resource Management and Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Population Studies
Majors
Minors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7681 | 22 Jul 2019 | 29 Jul 2019 | 31 Aug 2019 | 25 Oct 2019 | In Person | View |