Course Title: Conduct biological surveys

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

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 Peter Homan

peter.homan@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. Survey scope, objectives and constraints are identified according to client requirements, biological components to be surveyed and enterprise policy.
1.2. All current data relevant to survey requirements is sourced, collated and evaluated according to enterprise policy.
1.3. Processes for data collection are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.4. Processes for data processing are developed, consistent with the survey scope, objectives and constraints.
1.5. A survey design that reflects client requirements and survey scope, objectives and constraints is developed and presented to the client for discussion and approval.

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.
2.2. Data collection points are identified that are repeatable and statistically representative for the biological survey.
2.3. OHS hazards associated with conducting a biological survey are identified; risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the survey design.
2.4. Tools, equipment and machinery required for the biological survey are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
2.5. Scheduling of survey activities and surveyor access are determined according to the survey design.
2.6. Survey procedures and schedules are documented according to scientific conventions and the survey scope and objectives, and are presented to appropriate personnel and the client for briefing and acceptance.
 

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.
3.2 The biological survey is conducted according to the survey design and enterprise policy.
3.3. Survey activities are monitored for accuracy, compliance to the survey design and out-of-specification procedures or events.
3.4. Staged data collection is undertaken according to survey design, survey scheduling and surveyor access requirements.
3.5. All monitoring and survey data is recorded promptly and accurately, according to the specifications of the survey design.

Element:

4. Compile a biological survey report

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Analysis of collected data is undertaken according to industry policies and guidelines.
4.2. Conclusions about the biological survey are drawn from relevant information and are based on appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments.
4.3. A biological survey report is produced which conforms to industry standards for presentation, structure and content, and is presented to the client for acceptance.
4.4. The report describes biological findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action.


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 Victorian Museum and City of Whittlesea conservation reserves; working in groups and survey teams, consultation with biological survey clients including Parks Victoria and non-government conservation organisations; Planning and designing biological surveys; biological report writing; gathering historical data from DEPI databases; data analysis; legal requirements of biological surveys; compiling Standard Operating Procedures; the role and responsibilities of Animal Ethics Committees; major Field Survey at Wonthaggi Heathlands Nature Conservation Reserve.  


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1.
Monday 9 Feb: 2.30 - 5.30: Introduction to course; revision of data analysis .
Week beginning Monday 16 Feb - No Class.
Monday 23 Feb: 2.30 - 4.30: Visit to Victoria Museum, behinds-the-scenes tour of collection.
Monday 16 Mar: 2.30 - 5.30: Intro to waterbird surveys. Designing Biological Surveys.
Monday 23 Mar. 2.30 - 5.30: Intro to Standard Operating Procedures.
Monday 30 Mar. 2.30 - 5.30: Further Designing Biological Surveys.
Wednesday 8 April: No Class - Student Vacation.
Tuesday 14 April: 9.00am start: All day field trip to Growling Frog Golf Course - waterbird survey.
Wednesday 22 April 1.30 - 4.30: Follow up to field trip; data analysis; further Standard Operating Procedures
Tuesday 28 April: 9.00am start: All day field trip to GFGC & Yan Yean Reservoir -waterbird survey.
Wednesday 6 May: 1.30 - 4.30: Follow up to Field trip; Intro to reptile surveys.
Week beginning 11 May - No Class, (Lake Condah trip)..
Tuesday 19 May: 9.00am start: All day field trip Quarry Hills Bushland Park, Reptile Survey.
Wednesday 27 May 1.30 - 4.30: Follow-up to field trip; data analysis.
Wednesday 3 June: 1.30 - 4.30: Into to plant surveys. Last class for semester.

Semester 2.
Wednesday 8 July: 1.30-4.30: Introduction to vertebrate surveys.
Wednesday 15 July: 1.30-4.30: Mammals of Victoria.
Wednesday 22 July: 1.30-4.30: Platypus surveys.
Wednesday 29 July: 1.30-4.30: Evaluating fauna results.
Wednesday 5 August: 1.30-4.30: Lack of records does not necessarily mean absence of species.
Wednesday 12 August: 1.30-4.30: Fire and Fauna.
Wednesday 19 August: 1.30-4.30: Plant surveys.
Wednesday 26 August: 1.30-4.30; Invertebrate surveys.
Wednesday 2 September: No Class - Student Vacation.
Wednesday 9 September: 1.30-4.30: Wonthaggi historical data.
Wednesday 16 September: 1.30-4.30: Report preparation; designing surveys.
Wednesday 23 September: 1.30-4.30: Plants of Bunurong Coast & Wonthaggi district
Wednesday 30 September: 1.30-4.30: Preparation for Wonthaggi Field Trip.
Monday 5 Oct - Friday 9 Oct: Five day field trip to Wonthaggi Heathlands Nature Conservation Reserve.
Wednesday 14 October: 1.30-4.30: Data analysis, report writing.
Wednesday 21 October: 1.30-4.30; Further report writing. FINAL CLASS.

 

  


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

Semester 1.     Assessment 1. Source, Collate & Evaluate Current Data. Due date: Wednesday 29 April 2015
                           Assessment 2. Prepare set of Standard Operating Procedures. Due date: Wednesday 6 May 2015
                           Assessment 3. Design Plan for Reptile and Waterbird surveys (GRADED). Due date: Monday 18 May 2015
 

Semester 2.     Assessment 4. Conduct Biological Survey efficiently, safely & ethically. Assessed in field: 5 October to 9 Oct 2015
                           Assessment 5. Collect Comprehensive Field Notes; Biological Survey Field Note Book. Assessed in field & FNB handed in by 14 October 2014
                           Assessment 6. Prepare Full Scientific Biological Report (GRADED). Due date: Wednesday 21 October 2015.  


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Course Nominal length is 200 hours comprising:
94 Class Contact hours
62 Hours Field Work
40 Hours Research & Assessment preparation
4 hours teacher consultation.
 

Assessment information 

  • To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (reports, assignments etc.)
  • Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) 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. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
  • 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 prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
     

Course Overview: Access Course Overview