BIOS 3012 Conservation Biology

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 300855

Coordinator Adrian Renshaw Opens in new window

Description Most species disappearances have occurred in major extinction events spread over geological time. Are we in the midst of and the cause of another mass extinction event? This subject will explore this idea by examining the processes that have led to, and are leading to species extinction and the current biodiversity crisis. Many of the methods and issues used in and associated with conservation will be covered in a variety of case studies, field and laboratory activities.

School Science

Discipline Ecology and Evolution

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Equivalent Subjects LGYA 6073 - Environmental Biology LGYA 6182 - Conservation Biology

Restrictions

Successful completion of 120 credit points.

Students are required to wear a lab coat and enclosed footwear.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. List, explain and provide specific examples for the reasons for conservation and sustainability including the role of indigenous knowledge to conservation.
  2. Describe what is meant by the term Biodiversity and give detailed explanations and examples of the various levels of biodiversity and how biodiversity is measured.
  3. Name and describe the major extinction events that have occurred in the past and describe and explain the major threats that the earth�fs biodiversity currently faces and how those threats are being managed.
  4. Describe the hierarchical system of classification, the naming of living things and the current issues and trends involved in the naming and cataloguing of species.
  5. Conduct laboratory, field work and research safely and ethically both individually and in teams and communicate the findings of such both orally and/or in written format effectively.
  6. List the major international, national and state conservation authorities and major NGOs and agreements that Aust

Subject Content

Extinction
Biodiversity
Why conserve
Species concepts, taxonomy and classification
Factors contributing to biodiversity lost
Conservation genetics
Regulatory, economic, ethical and institutional frameworks for conservation
Conservation management
Case studies demonstrating and/or illustrating the above

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.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Portfolio 4,000 words 50 N Individual
Presentation 8 minutes 20 N Individual
Quiz 1 hour 30 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • There is no textbook for this subject

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Hawkesbury

On-site

Subject Contact Adrian Renshaw Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Spring (2024)

Hawkesbury

On-site

Subject Contact Adrian Renshaw Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window