Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
Course Code: MATH7059C
Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Namrita Kaul
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309
Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
The Course Contact is:
Nevil Schultz
nevil.schultz@rmit.edu.au Room 51.7.05 Phone: 9925 4221
Nominal Hours: 200
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
There are none
Course Description
This unit covers the processes involved with conducting biological surveys and defines the standard required to: identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy; assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs; identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative; document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan; schedule survey activities and establish access to the site; conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan; produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and assessment of the specified biological components.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
AHCNAR502A Conduct biological surveys |
Element: |
1. Carry out preliminary design activities for the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Survey scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy. |
Element: |
2.Determine requirements of the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Survey indicators are identified and constraints and opportunities for data collection identified and evaluated. |
Element: |
3. Conduct the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
3.2. The biological survey is conducted according to the survey design and enterprise policy. |
Element: |
4. Compile a biological survey report |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines. |
Learning Outcomes
By the completion of this course students will have gained the following capabilities
- identify the scope, objectives and constraints for a biological survey according to client requirements, the biological components to be
surveyed and enterprise policy - assess the availability of current data and determine data collection and processing needs
- identify biological indicators that are repeatable and statistically representative
- document survey methods and indicators as a survey plan
- schedule survey activities and establish access to the site
- conduct a biological survey with data collection staged and recorded according to the survey plan
- produce a biological survey report with detailed analysis and conclusion, including a description and
assessment of the specified biological components.
Details of Learning Activities
Classroom Instruction, Practical Work, Local Conservation reserve visits, Working in Survey Teams, Consultation with potential biological survey clients, Collaboration with non-government conservation organisations, Liaison with Parks Victoria, Guest Speakers, Discussion groups, Survey Design Work, Reviewing biological reports, Gathering past data to inform surveys and interpretation of results, researching Legal requirements of surveys, Designing Client Briefs, Whole Biological Survey Field Trip, Data Analysis, Report Writing.
Teaching Schedule
2013 Dates
Conduct Biological Surveys
Class Date TopicPrac/Activity Assessment Due Date 13 Feb Biological Classification Systems 1 Intro to resources, field work dates 20 Feb Biological Classification Systems 2 Keys for Phyla Class & Order in Invertebrates 27 Feb Launch Field Survey Scoping Assignment(Assess 1) Client Requirements scale & timing of a survey 6 Mar Amphibian Research TaskComponent 1 Scoping
Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method due
due 8 Mar
13 Mar
Avifauna
recognition
Avifauna Survey Techniques
Guest Speaker
20 Mar Bird Survey Field Trip 20 March Component 2
Client Requirements for an Avifauna Survey due
due 22 Mar27 MarReptile Surveys 28 March - 3 April MID SEMESTER BREAK 10 AprilMammalian Surveys Scoping Assignment Due April 19 17 April Launch Client Brief for a Biological SurveyOHS , Risk Management at Survey Sites
24 April Prac: Invertebrate Identification 1 May Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey Techniques Invertebrate Field Survey 10 April 8 May Heywood 15 MayLegal Requirements for Field Surveys 22 May
Aquatic Vertebrate
Recognition
Guest Speaker
(Possible Field Trip)
29 May Materials Estimation & Costing Biological Surveys Discussion on Client Briefs Client Brief Draft due Due 27 May 5 JuneClient Briefing Talks
Client Brief Talks Talks 5 Jun 12 June Client Briefing Talks
Client Brief
Talks
Biological Survey Client Brief due 14 June 17 June-7 July MID YEAR BREAK 10 JulyFactors Influencing Population Numbers 1 17 July Factors Influencing Population Numbers 2 24 JulyIntroduction to Data Review Launch Data Review Assignment Guest Speaker 31 JulyEcological Principles & terminology
7 Aug Energy Flows & Trophic Structures of Communities Biomass Calculation Practical 14 Aug Randomising Surveys, Interpretation of Survey results Quiz covering 10&17 July, 31Jul & 7 Aug 21 Aug Data Review Resources 28 AugLegal protection for Flora & Fauna 4 Sept Plant Recognition
11 Sept
Plant Survey Methods Revisiting Vegetation Quality AssessmentData Review Part A Assignment Due
Data Review Asst 3 Part A Due 13 Sept 18 Sept Codes of Practice for Fauna Surveys Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Specification 25 Sept MID SEM BREAK 2 Oct Wonthaggi Survey Preparation 8 - 12 Oct Wonthaggi Field Week Conduct Whole Biological Survey Data Review Parts B & C 16 Oct Class Data Analysis of Survey Findings Implications given the conservation status of the survey site 23 Oct Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Due 30 Oct Collection of Data Review MaterialsLearning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course may include assignments, practical assessment , project work, tests and reports
Assessment Tasks
1. Scoping Biological Survey Assignment, ungraded (CA/NYC)
Component 1 due: 8th March Component 2 due: 22nd March Final Scoping document due 19 April
2. Client brief for a biological survey (CA/NYC) Client Brief Talks held 5th & 12th June. Final Briefing Document Due 14 June
3. Survey Site Data Review & Staging Assignment. (CA/NYC)
Part A: Compilation & Reporting of Past Site Data Due: 13 Sept Parts B (field data log) & Part C (Interim findings Report) completed by 10th October
4. Field Survey Report. Graded (CHD,CDI, CC, CA, NYC)
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Course Nominal Length is 200 Hours comprising:
108 Class Contact Hours
48 Hours Field Work
40 Hours Research and Assignment Preparation
4 Hours Teacher Consultation
Course Overview: Access Course Overview