Plants and animals from cold alpine environments have evolved strategies to enable them to survive freezing temperatures and short growing seasons. While in tropical rainforests, they have evolved to deal with wet, often dark conditions where they rarely encounter other members of their own species. Finding suitable places to settle, grow and reproduce is a challenge. In both environments plants and animals have evolved special morphologies, physiologies and behaviours that influence the way they interact with other species, and that allow them deal with extreme conditions.

If you would like to conduct original field research on plants and animals in a beautiful field site, this intensive residential field course may be for you. Through directed research projects, conducted in small groups and led by field experts, we introduce students to field studies in plant and animal ecology. We explore the ways that diverse organisms respond to conditions in their environment and acquire the resources they need to survive, grow and reproduce: their functional ecology. The course location varies among years, but regardless of location the same theoretical principles will be explored in the context of protected area management, conservation and climate change.

 

By exploring the functional ecology of plants and animals simultaneously, students develop an understanding of the differences and commonalities among organisms. Students develop skills in research including project design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, and oral and written presentation of results. Students will also be exposed to a wide array of field techniques used in ecophysiology and behavioural ecology. Our aim is to give participants a chance to do real science and to embrace being a scientist. The experience enables students to approach their later year studies with independence and a new perspective and will provide real-world skills relevant in both science and non-science careers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understanding of the commonalities and differences in the way animals and plants cope with environmental conditions and acquire the resources needed for growth and reproduction
2. Identify and critically evaluate the current state of knowledge about a specific research question in functional ecology
3. Formulate a testable hypotheses and design experiments to effectively test them, based on an understanding of the research literature
4. Conduct functional ecological research and apply a range of current techniques
5. Interpret data against original hypotheses and knowledge of the literature, and suggest avenues for future research
6. Collaborate as a group to reach research goals
7. Communicate scientific findings in written and oral forms to diverse audiences

Research-Led Teaching

This is an intensive, off-campus field course held over a 2 week period.

Field Trips

Field trip to Daintree Rainforest Observatory and Lake Eacham June 29- July 13 2024.

Please see the College of Science - Field Trips page for more information..

Additional Course Costs

~1500, varies between years

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Pre-course	pre-course readings and study questions, not assessed
2	During course	small group research projects, participation in workshops and presentations, quizzes
3	Post course	final project and field notebook completed and submitted

Tutorial Registration

N/A

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Field notebook	25 %	13/08/2024	<p style="user-select: auto;">1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Final report	30 %	13/08/2024	<p style="user-select: auto;">1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Participation in workshops, projects and presentations	25 %	13/07/2024	<p style="user-select: auto;">4,5,6,7
Quizzes	20 %	01/07/2024	<p style="user-select: auto;">1,3,6,7
Pre course reading questions	0 %	30/06/2024	1,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This is an intensive field course. All assessment will be conducted in the field except study questions

on introductory readings and one written report handed in after the course. Students will spend the

majority of their time doing field research.

Examination(s)

See above.

Assessment Task 1

Field notebook

Assessment details sub headings

Field notebook: collected and assessed at midpoint and end of course (Learning objectives 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)

The Field Notebook will be your all-purpose repository for course materials. These will include (but are not limited to):

• Notes on pre-course readings and lectures
• Notes from workshops and discussions during course
• Field observations and data
• Notes on analyses and results
• Structured reflections on course

The Field Notebook will be your constant companion and will even accompany you to the two quizzes. Thus, it is in your best interest to make it as comprehensive a document as possible. 

o  Rationale: Maintaining good records of research is standard practice in science. The field notebook will develop these skills and serve as a record for quiz preparation, the final write-up and for future reference.

Assessment Task 2

Final report

Assessment details subheadings

Final report: Use the template on Wattle. ~5000 words, follows scientific paper format. (Learning objective 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)

You are welcome to give us drafts of your write-ups for comments before submitting the final version. We will accept drafts up to one week before the report is due. Submit to one of the convenors. Your report will include separate sections for the abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. See the course information for more detail.

o  Rationale: Students will learn skills needed for writing scientific papers and will extend literature searching and critical reading begun on the course.

Assessment Task 3

Participation in workshops, projects and presentations

Assessment details subheadings

Students will be assessed on contribution to directed field problems and group presentation of results (total of 25%, LO 4,5,6,7). Your resource person and the course conveners will assess your participation in the group project and presentations. Assessment rubrics will be made available to you before the field problems commence.

Your hand-off presentations will be informal and can involve whatever media and materials you like. Your final project presentations (of the second project in each module) will be 15 minutes with 5 minutes for discussion. Every student must contribute to the final presentation, and both projects must be presented. Groups, together with their resource people, can decide how to allocate tasks to the presentations. More detail on the assessment criteria for the presentations will be available in the course information files.

Rationale: Students will develop skills in oral communication and collaborative research during these presentations and will build skills in data analysis and interpretation in preparation for final report.

Assessment Task 4

Quizzes

Quizzes: There are 2 open-book essay style quizzes, ~1 hour each, in which students are expected to compare and contrast plant and animal functional ecology in specific areas covered in the course material. All material covered in student presentations, discussions and workshops will be examinable. You may bring your Field Notebook to the quizzes. Rationale: Quizzes are intended to assist in consolidating theoretical and background information that is needed for successful completion of research projects and final report.

Quiz 1 - 01-07-2024

Quiz 2 -  12-07-2024

Assessment Task 5

Pre course reading questions

Notes on pre course reading questions must be completed before course begins. Not marked but required prior to participation in the course.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

 Assignments will be returned via BTLC or Wattle/email if electronic

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

n/a

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students