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
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, 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