Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources

Part A: Course Overview

Program: C5161 Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Title: Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources

Portfolio: SEH Portfolio Office

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.

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO5098C

City Campus

TAFE

155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Face-to-Face

Term1 2011,
Term2 2012

Course Contact: Bruce Partland

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99258323

Course Contact Email: bruce.partland@rmit.edu.au



Course Description

This competency standard covers the process of conducting field research into natural and cultural resources for resource management and related purposes. This work is often done prior to, or in conjunction with the development of a resource management plan. It requires the ability to review existing knowledge, identify stakeholders, develop a research approach, conduct field investigations, develop process for involving decision-makers and report on the field investigation. Conducting field research into natural and cultural resources requires knowledge of relevant legislation, charters, Codes of Practice relating to natural and cultural resource areas, ecology, geological and biological diversity, population dynamics and control approaches, accepted scientific processes and historical research processes, and links between Indigenous heritage and natural resources.

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This Course is offered in the second year of the 2 year Diploma in Conservation & Land Management.
Successful completion of the Field Research element of this Course will require an awareness of past and contemporary Aboriginal issues, and a high degree of sensitivity in the planning, undertaking and reporting of the field research undertaken.
As such, attendance at all the initial Cultural Awareness activities listed in the Timetable, is ESSENTIAL. Non attendance will disqualify you from attending the Field Research activity and from any chance of successfully completing this Course.



National Competency Codes and Titles

National Element Code & Title:

RTD5502A Conduct field research into natural and cultural resources

Elements:

1. Review existing knowledge

1. Review existing knowledge

2. Identify stakeholders

3. Develop research approach

4. Conduct field investigations

5. Develop process for involving decision-makers

6. Report on the field investigation

2. Identify stakeholders

3. Develop research approach

4. Conduct field investigations

5. Develop process for involving decision makers

6. Report on field investigations


Learning Outcomes


Overview of Assessment

Assessment activities include:

1. An oral class presentation on an assigned topic;

2. Competent completion of a series of Worksheets associated with local field trips

3. Analysis of Field trip data

4. A major report on the 5 day Field Trip

5. A Research Plan for a hypothetical field research project.

For a Grade to be awarded in this Course competency must be achieved for all the above Assessment items listed above.