UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is an intense two-week field course on primate ecology, behaviour and conservation in China. It will be run in close collaboration with the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China is a biodiversity hotspot of global importance, and boasts an incredible 26 species of primates. Strategies geared towards conserving and studying their behavioural ecology have recently been launched. With prior preparation at UWA (language and cultural awareness training, lectures on primatology), students will embark on a multi-day field trip to a nature reserve that harbours the endangered and charismatic snub-nosed monkeys hat have become a target of ecotourism activities. Visits to Yunnan's cultural sites and another secondary host location (Dali University) are also planned. This course provides students with intensive practical experience in behavioural and ecological data collection techniques, an understanding of conservation issues surrounding endangered wildlife, and a greater appreciation of Chinese culture (including ethnic minorities).

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode
Offshore teaching period	China	Face to face
Offshore teaching period	China	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) collect, organise, analyse and present behavioural data; (2) deduce the role of environmental variables in influencing behaviour; (3) describe the threats that wild primates face and conservation actions needed to abate these threats; and (4) use some everyday Chinese phrases and explain key aspects of Chinese culture.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) performance assessment on field activities and (2) report on research project. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Cyril Grueter

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

Unit(s) ANHB2215 Biological Anthropology: Human Adaptation and Variation
or ANHB3322 Human/Primate Social Organisation
or ANHB3315 Human Evolutionary Ecology
or ANIM3365 Behavioural Ecology

Approved quota: 10—quota will be determined using a combination of academic performance (50% from GPA and results from prerequisite unit) and a statement outlining the reasons for their interest

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Contribution to the cost of traveling to China - balance covered by New Columbo Grant (estimated cost - 1000).

Contact hours

Note: This course is based on a two week field trip to China (proposed dates for winter school: 24 June - 07 July 2024
proposed dates for summer school: 26 November - 09 December 2024)
8 hours per day for 2 weeks during trip
Tutorials: 2 hours per week for 4 weeks (for winter school: weeks 9-12 of semester 1
for summer school: weeks 9-12 of semester 2)
Tutorials: 4 hours post-trip seminars (in August 2024 for winter school
in January or February 2025 for summer school)

Note

The bulk of the program costs will be covered by the New Colombo Plan, but it is expected that each participating student will incur out-of-pocket expenses associated with international travel amounting to approximately $1000.