Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2016
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
Sally Heeps & Seb Buckingham
email:
jose.buckingham@rmit.edu.au
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 Identify survey scope, objectives and constraints according to client requirements 1.2 Source, collate and evaluate current data relevant to survey requirements 1.3 Develop processes for data collection and processing consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints 1.4 Design survey plan that reflects client requirements and present to client for approval 1.5 Incorporate work health and safety and environmental sustainability and biosecurity procedures into plan |
Element: |
2.Determine requirements of the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify biological survey indicators and evaluate constraints and opportunities for data collection 2.2 Identify data collection points that are repeatable and statistically representative 2.3 Identify hazards associated with a biological survey, assess risks and develop controls, determine costs, and document in the survey design 2.4 Determine tools, equipment and machinery required for the survey and confirm availability with suppliers, contractors and personnel 2.5 Schedule survey activities and surveyor access according to the survey design 2.6 Document survey procedures and schedules and present to appropriate personnel and client for approval |
Element: |
3. Conduct the biological survey |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Conduct field visit to verify previous data and gather further information on species frequency, distribution and health or habitat values 3.2 Conduct the biological survey according to the survey design 3.3 Monitor survey activities for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events 3.4 Undertake staged data collection according to the survey design, scheduling and surveyor access requirements 3.5 Record all monitoring and survey data promptly and accurately according to specifications of the survey design |
Element: |
4. Compile a biological survey report |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Analyse data and draw conclusions based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments 4.2 Prepare a biological survey report that describes survey findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action 4.3 Present report to the client |
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,
visits to conservation reserves;
working in groups and survey teams,
consultation with biological survey clients including Banyule City Council and non-government conservation organisations;
Planning and designing biological surveys;
biological report writing;
gathering historical data from DELWP databases;
data analysis;
legal requirements of biological surveys;
compiling Standard Operating Procedures;
the role and responsibilities of Animal Ethics Committees.
Teaching Schedule
1 | 9/02/16 | Introduction What is Biodiversity? Why survey? Biological classification |
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2 | 16/02/16 | Biological classification – Reptiles & Amphibians |
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18/02/16 Visit from Reptile Awareness Displays of Australia 11:00 onwards | |||
3 | 23/02/16 | Biological classification – Class work - Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians Animal ID references Dichotomous keys Accessing habitat information |
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4 | 01/03/16 | Bird Identification Concept of Dichotomous keys Undertaking biodiversity surveys - Types of Surveys and Reasons for surveys Preparation for Bird Survey: |
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Thursday 03/03/16 |
Site assessment for Bird Survey | Field Trip | |
5 | 8/03/16 | Site assessment for Bird Survey Scope for Bird Survey Bird Identification Class work - Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians Animal ID references Activity; Bird identification Dichotomous keys Accessing habitat information |
Assessment 1 due |
6 | 15/03/16 | Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations. Australian Ecosystems |
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7 | 22/03/16 | Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations. Australian Ecosystems |
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8 | 5/04/16 | Ecological Principles – Basic concepts and terminology. Communities and associations. Australian Ecosystems |
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Thursday 7/04/16 |
First Bird Survey | Field Trip | |
9 | 12/04/16 | Ecological Principles – Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles | |
10 | 19/04/16 | Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles | |
11 | 26/04/16 | Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles | |
12 | 03/05/16 | No class | |
13 | 10/05/16 | Ecological Principles - Habitat and Energy flows in natural systems, Nutrient cycles | |
14 | 17/05/16 | Ecological Principles - Biotic and abiotic and limiting factors | |
15 | 24/05/16 | Writing report for Bird Survey | |
Thursday 26/05/16 |
Second Bird Survey | Field Trip | |
16 | 31/05/16 | Ecological Principles - Biotic and abiotic and limiting factors | |
Semester 2 schedule
Notes:
The delivery plan is to be used as a guide only and is correct at time of distribution. Sessions may be deferred and/or cancelled.
Week No. |
Date |
Learning activity |
Assessment |
4/07/16 |
Introduction and outline Sem 2
Vertebrate and invertebrate surveys |
|
|
11/07/16 |
Biological classification – Invertebrates Select Methods for collections |
‘Life in the Undergrowth’ |
|
|
Thursday 14/07/16 |
Final Bird Survey |
Field Trip |
18/07/16 |
Report Writing Workshop |
|
|
25/07/16 |
Prepare equipment and Write Methods for invertebrate sampling |
|
|
|
29/07/16 |
Invertebrate fieldwork |
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1/08/16 |
Laboratory Invertebrate Identification Dichotomous keys |
Summative Task 1 – Bird Survey Report Due |
|
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4/08/16 |
Invertebrate fieldwork |
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8/08/16 |
Laboratory Invertebrate Identification (continued) |
|
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15/08/16 |
Data Presentation in class |
||
22/08/16 |
Invertebrate sampling assignment Due |
Summative Task 1 - Banyule Invertebrate Due |
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|
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Mid Semester Break, no classes29 August to 4 Sept |
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5/09/16 |
Vertebrate Survey:
Methodology Animal Ethics |
Powerpoint Quiz on small mammal survey methods/protocol. |
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12/09/16 |
Scope for Vertebrate Survey Vertebrate Identification Class work - Mammals, Reptiles & Amphibians Accessing habitat information |
Practical on use of equipment for camp
Proposal Formative Task 5 Due |
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19/09/16 |
Wonthaggi Vertebrate Fauna Camp
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|
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26/09/16 |
Data analysis and presentation |
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3/10/16 |
Threatened species assignment Threatened species definition and legal framework |
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10/10/16 |
Threatened species assignment Case studies |
Formative Task 6 – Management of Threatened species assignment |
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17/10/16 |
Report Writing Workshop |
Formative Task 3 – Notebook |
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24/10/16 |
Report Writing Workshop |
Summative Task 2 – Report: results of wildlife survey
|
Learning 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
Assessments demonstrating competence |
Title |
Due Date |
% Mark |
|
Formative Task 1 – Background information collation and Project proposal - Assignment |
8/03/16 |
5% |
|
Formative Task 2 – Ecological communities within habitat assignment |
17/05/16 |
15% |
|
Formative Task 3 – Notebook |
17/10/16 |
5% |
|
Summative Task 1 – Bird survey Report |
1/08/16 |
20% |
|
Summative Task 1 - Banyule Invertebrate |
22/08/16 |
(15%) |
Wonthaggi Fauna Vertebrate Survey |
Formative Task 5 – Background information collation and Project proposal |
5/09/16 |
(10%) |
|
Formative Task 6 – Management of Threatened species assignment |
10/10/16 |
(10%) |
|
Summative Task 2 – Report: results of wildlife survey |
24/10/16 |
(20%) |
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Assessment information:
All assessment types must be passed. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the assignment component).
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51, or emailed to the Coordinator (amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au).
Students requiring extensions longer than 7 days must apply for Special Consideration (see the ‘Help me’ link in blackboard, via myRMIT studies or http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration) For missed assessments such as exams - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
If you miss an assessment (such as a field trip) due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview