Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
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 Teacher 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: |
3.1. Field visits are conducted to verify and consolidate previously collected data and to gather further information on species frequency, distribution, and health and/or habitat values. |
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
2014 Dates
Conduct Biological Surveys
Class Date TopicPrac/Activity Assessment Due Date 12 Feb Biological Classification Systems 1 Intro to resources, field work dates 19 Feb Biological Classification Systems 2 Keys for Phyla Class & Order in vertebrates & Invertebrates 26 Feb Launch Field Survey Scoping Assignment(Assess 1) Client Requirements scale & timing of a survey5 Mar Amphibian Research Task
12 Mar
Avifauna
recognition
Avifauna Survey Techniques
Assessment 1, Part A
Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method
12 Mar
19 Mar Reptile SurveysClient Requirements for an Avifauna Survey
26 Mar Bird Survey Field Trip 26 March 2 Apr Mammalian SurveysAssessment 1, Part B
Avifauna monitoring plan & results
2 Apr9 April Launch Client Brief for a Biological Survey OHS , Risk Management at Survey Sites 16 April
Prac: Invertebrate Identification
Assessment 1, Part C
Reptile Survey Site Requirement with threatened species focus
due 16 April 23 April
Easter Break
30 April Terrestrial Invertebrate Survey Techniques Invertebrate Field Survey 30 April 7 May Legal Requirements for Field Surveys Invertebrate Classification On-Line Quiz 14 May Heywood 21 May
Materials Estimation & Costing Biological
Discussion on Client Briefs
28 MaySurveysAquatic Vertebrate
Guest Speaker( Field Trip TBA)
Assessment 2
Client Requirements for a survey (Draft)
Client Briefing Talks
Assessment 2
Client Brief Talks
Client Brief Talks
12 June 16 June - 6 July MID YEAR BREAK 9 JulyFactors Influencing Population Numbers 1 16 July Factors Influencing Population Numbers 2 23 JulyIntroduction to Data Review
Launch Data Review
Guest Speaker
30 JulyEcological Principles & Analysis of Trend data
6 Aug
Energy Flows & Trophic Structures of Communities.Survey Implications
Biomass Calculation Practical 13 Aug Randomising Surveys, Interpretation of Survey results Quiz covering 10 &17 July, 31Jul & 7 Aug 20 Aug Data Review Resources 27 AugLegal protection for Flora & Fauna 3 Sept Plant Recognition
10 Sept
Plant Survey Methods Revisiting Vegetation Quality AssessmentAssessment 3, Part A
Data Review Assignment
11 Sept
17 Sept Codes of Practice for Fauna Surveys Wonthaggi Field Survey Report Specification 24 Sept MID SEM BREAK 1 Oct Wonthaggi Survey Preparation 8 OctWonthaggi Field Survey Week
6 - 10 Octinclusive
Assessment 3, Part B
Biological Survey Log Book
Assessment 3, Part C
Survey Interim Report
10th Oct
15 Oct Class Data Analysis of Survey Findings Conservation strategies reviewed with updated survey site data 22 Oct Assessment 4 Wonthaggi Field Survey Report 23 Oct29 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
Task 1. Scoping Biological Survey Assignment, (CA/NYC)
Part A Amphibian Survey Rationale & Method- Due: 12th March
Part B Avifauna monitoring plan & results,- Due: 2nd April
Part C Reptile Survey Site Requirement- Due: 16 April
Task 2. Client brief for a biological survey, (CA/NYC)
Client Brief Talks held 4th & 11th June. Final briefing document due 12 June
Task3. Survey Site Data Review & Staging Assignment. (CA/NYC)
Part A: Data Review, Due: 11 Sept
Part B: Submit Survey Log Book , Due: 10 October
Part C: Interim findings Report, Due: 10th October
Task 4. Field Survey Report. Graded (CHD,CDI, CC, CA, NYC) Due 23 Oct
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Assessments
- 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 on the web http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf ) at least the day before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web).
- For missed assessments such as assessments in class - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of any in-class assessment such as a quiz.
- Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected
- If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame
Students need to be assessed as competent (CA) in all four assessments to attain competency in this course
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