Description This unit involves the study of basic biology, ecology, conservation and management of selected wildlife. Students will learn different management systems and research methods used in the conservation and management of wildlife. The use of wildlife as a sustainable resource will also be analysed within the context of ecological sustainable development and animal ethics.
School Science
Discipline Animal Husbandry
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject
Equivalent Subjects AGRI 1008 - Introduction to Wildlife Studies
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Define and identify wildlife, both taxonomically and in general terms.
Define wildlife population characteristics, population growth, carrying capacity, methods of estimation and other parameters.
Explain and articulate basic concepts, definitions and terms commonly used in wildlife studies and management.
Explain the methods used to identify animals (to a genus level).
Discuss the implications of invasive animals and the environment including feral species in Australia (based on cases studies) and current research in the field.
Discuss wildlife conservation and management, including habitat management, endangered wildlife species, international conservation organisations, the roles of zoos in animal conservation and related research.
Explain the methods which are used to monitor interactions between animals, animal populations and habitats.
Apply concepts and theories in wildlife studies including various management systems and research methods used in the study of animals, both in the wild and captivity.
Describe and discuss husbandry of a selected range of animals.
Conduct basic habitat and wildlife survey techniques including field transects, quadrats, animal tracks and scat identification.
Conduct a literature search on a wildlife studies topic and communicate findings in written form observing the conventions of scientific writing.
1. Wildlife population characteristics, population growth, carrying capacity, methods of estimation and other parameters.
2. Concepts, definitions and terms commonly used in wildlife studies and management.
3. Methods used to identify animals (to a genus level).
4. Invasive animals and the impact on the environment including feral species in Australia (based on cases studies) and current research in the field.
5. Conservation and management of exotic species at local, national and global scale, including management of habitats, endangered species, international conservation organisations and the roles of zoos in animal conservation.
6. Methods used to monitor interactions between animals, animal populations and habitats.
7. Management systems and research methods used in the study of animals, in the wild and captivity.
8. Habitat and wildlife survey techniques on campus including field transects, quadrats, animal tracks and scat identification.
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
Item
Length
Percent
Threshold
Individual/Group Task
Quiz
20 mcq, 30 min per quiz, a total of 120 minutes
20
N
Individual
Applied Project
5 slides/5 minutes each
20
N
Individual
Report
500 words
20
N
Individual
Final Exam
2 hours
40
N
Individual
Prescribed Texts
Stow, A., Maclean, N. & Holwell, G.I. (Eds.) (2015). Austral ark: The state of wildlife in Australia and New Zealand.
