Biodiversity Science introduces the principles and skills that underpin evidence-based conservation and management of biodiversity. Key topics include understanding why species occur where they occur, how to measure biodiversity, examining responses by species to human impacts and understanding how species become vulnerable to extinction.
This course has a strong emphasis on developing practical skills. You will gain experience surveying and identifying animals and plants. You will also learn how to use these data to support evidence-based conservation and management.
This course is delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and practical sessions, with input from world leaders in conservation biology. The practical sessions include regular field trips and interactions with public and private land managers, including a trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
This course develops fundamental knowledge and practical skills that are necessary for graduates seeking careers in natural resource management and other areas of environmental science. It also provides important background for those wishing to pursue careers in any field that potentially impacts on biodiversity (e.g. environmental policy and planning). This course provides the scientific underpinnings for the concepts explored in ENVS6024 Biodiversity Conservation.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Identify key factors that influence the distribution of species.
- Demonstrate understanding about the complex linkages between abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems.
- Identify and apply appropriate techniques for measuring biodiversity in a range of different environments and circumstances.
- Develop and test hypotheses about the impacts of human activities on biodiversity.
- Effectively interpret and critique data about biodiversity using a range of analytical and communication techniques to a range of audiences.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a minor component of the course
Other Information
Field-based teaching and learning activity forms an integral and important part of many courses delivered by the Fenner School of Environment & Society. Fieldwork activities are designed to allow you to put the skills you have learned into practice in new environments and provide powerful enrichment to student learning. Students should contact the Course Convenor if they have any questions.
If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one online via the following form.
Indicative Assessment
- Practical exercises (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research report (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Poster (15) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 1 hour lecture plus 1 x 4 hour workshop per week.
- Approximately 70 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text. Reading material will be provided throughout the course.Assumed Knowledge
ENVS6218 Environmental Science Field School is strongly complementary.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7838 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | View |