Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: MATH7076C
Course Title: Conduct biological surveys
School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5367 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
Course Contact: Namrita Kaul
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4308
Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
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
None
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and conduct biological surveys and produce a biological survey report, according to client requirements and biological components to be surveyed.
This unit applies to land restoration managers who provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and unpredictable problems.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
AHCNAR502 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 survey findings according to the survey scope and objectives, identifies areas requiring remedial action for improvement and details recommendations for action |
Learning Outcomes
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
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this competency may include plant & animal surveys, written reports & assignments, group work and field work assessments
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Number |
Title |
Due Date |
1. |
Project Proposal (Scope, ethics & OHS) for Bird Survey |
Week 6 (Sem1) |
2. |
Habitat, ecology and food webs assignment |
Week 12 (Sem1) |
3. |
Birds of Newport Lakes Report |
Week 14 (Sem1) |
4. |
Threatened fauna species assignment |
Week 6 (Sem2) |
5. |
Notebook and recording sheets |
Week 7 (Sem2) |
6. |
Wonthaggi Fauna Survey Report |
Week 14 (Sem2) |
To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment.
You will be given only two attempts for each assessment to demonstrate you have the required skills.
A third attempt can only be offered after discussions between the teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic.
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Assessment information:
This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Submission of Assessment Tasks
It is expected that any work presented for assessment in this course will be your own. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.
Extensions of time for submission of assessable work
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days by filling in the application form at least one working day BEFORE the due date. The application form should be emailed to your Program Coordinator, Namrita Kaul, namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au.
Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
If you require an extension of time longer than 7 days, you must apply for Special Consideration.
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
Special consideration
If you are unable to sit a test, exam or lab-based assessments due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., illness), you should apply for Special Consideration for the missed assessment. Information on applying for Special Consideration can be found from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration. Applications for Special Consideration should NOT be submitted to the course or program coordinator.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview