精东传媒app

Staffing

Examiner:

Other requisites

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <>.
Students who have enrolled in or completed REN2200 Ecology for Sustainability cannot enrol in this course.

Rationale

Sustainable management of the earth's natural resources and the conservation of organisms, habitats and ecosystems require knowledge of biodiversity, ecological systems and processes, conservation principles and the effects of human activities. This course provides an understanding of the fundamentals of ecological theory and practice, and an overview of human impacts on ecological systems and processes.

Synopsis

Ecology and conservation are closely related scientific disciplines that explore the very nature of life in terms of the distribution and abundance of organisms and interactions between organisms and their environment (ecology), and the diversity, scarcity and conservation of species, communities and ecosystems (conservation). This course provides a comprehensive survey of general ecological concepts and principles relevant to the sustainable management of the environment and an understanding of how ecological systems and processes have been impacted upon by human activities. The concept of biodiversity, mechanisms behind speciation and patterns in biodiversity, key threatening processes, and current issues in the conservation of biodiversity are examined. The course also examines concepts of pattern and processes in human-modified landscapes (including land transformation, habitat fragmentation, patch dynamics, conservation corridors and connectivity), implications for conservation and ecologically sustainable development.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload expectations

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   
   Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), i.e. the end of semester examination by achieving at least 40% of the weighted marks available for that assessment item.
   
   Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (Supervised) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
   
   To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination). Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   
   Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
   The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.
   
   Requirements after S2 2020:
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
   
   
8. 精东传媒app Student Policies:
   
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must submit the assignment to USQ via the electronic submission on the course studydesk. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the submission date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.
   
   
2. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
   
   
3. Students must use the assignment template (.doc document) provided on the course studydesk for electronic submission of assignments. The templates include an assignment cover page and marking criteria and must be submitted in a Microsoft Office Word compatible format.
   
   
4. In accordance with Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences and USQ regulations, applications for extensions to assignment due dates must be made in writing to the Examiner before the due date. Applications must be accompanied by appropriate supporting information.