Unit details
BIOL2261 Conservation Biology
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) | Availability | Location | Mode |
|---|
| Semester 1 | UWA (Perth) | Face to face |
| Semester 1 | Albany | Face to face |
- Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Conservation Biology major sequence
- The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
- Category B broadening unit for students
- Level 2 elective
- Content
- This unit aims to develop a critical approach to current issues in conservation biology. It examines the following five broad themes: (1) What biodiversity is there? How did it get there (evolutionary history)? Which processes maintain it? (2) Why should we conserve it? (3) What are the threatened genes, species and communities? (4) What are the threatening processes? (5) What actions can be taken to conserve biodiversity? Students are aware of the fundamental linkages between good science and conservation management and the critical engagement between government, universities, business and the community in generating effective conservation outcomes. The unit also introduces students to fundamental science and scientific thinking and approaches to problem solving in ecology, population genetics, species biology and decision theory that underpin modern conservation biology.
- Outcomes
- Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of different concepts of biodiversity and the consequences of these concepts for conservation; (2) articulate why conserving biodiversity is essential (utilitarian and intrinsic values); (3) provide examples of threatened species and ecosystems and their protection by legislation; (4) name the major processes threatening Australian and global biodiversity and the consequences of interacting threats; (5) explain current efforts to prevent species extinctions and the role of economic drivers of conservation decisions and outcomes; and (6) critically analyse available data and literature on a specified plant or animal group, and how conservation-related organisations contribute to species recovery.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) class workshop and case study on a threatened species (individual); (2) report on the conservation management of a plant or animal taxon (group report and presentation); and (3) final examination covering lectures and visit with conservation organisations. Further information is available in the unit outline.
To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the final examination covering lectures and visit with conservation organisations component.
Supplementary assessment is available in this unit for those students who obtain a mark of at least 45 overall provided they have also obtained a mark of at least 45 in a specified component of the unit.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Pieter Poot and Dr Nicola Mitchell
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites:
- BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or
BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
- Contact hours
- Lectures: 2 hours per week; Practical sessions: up to 3 hours per week
- Unit Outline
- Semester 1-2020 [SEM-1-2020]
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available via the Booktopia Textbook Finder, which has the functionality to search by course code, course, ISBN and title, and may also be posted or available at the appropriate school's administrative offices. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.