BIOL373
Aquatic Ecosystems
S1 Day 2017
Dept of Biological Sciences
Contents
General Information
2
Learning Outcomes
3
Assessment Tasks
3
Delivery and Resources
6
Policies and Procedures
6
Graduate Capabilities
7
Changes from Previous Offering
Disclaimer
Macquarie University has taken all reasonable
measures to ensure the information in this
publication is accurate and up-to-date. However,
the information may change or become out-dated
as a result of change in University policies,
procedures or rules. The University reserves the
right to make changes to any information in this
publication without notice. Users of this
publication are advised to check the website
version of this publication [or the relevant faculty
or department] before acting on any information in
this publication.
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http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
General Information
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Grant Hose
[email protected]
Lecturer
Matthew Kosnik
[email protected]
Contact via 9850-7248
E8A330
Katherine McClellan
[email protected]
Credit points
3
Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including BIOL227 or ENVS339
Corequisites
Co-badged status
Unit description
This unit introduces the diverse nature of aquatic ecosystems, from catchment to coast, their
biota, and the physical and chemical factors that have shaped their structure and function.
The unit provides a holistic catchment perspective, covering lakes, rivers, estuaries, and
temperate marine communities, fish, invertebrates and ecosystem processes, with a focus on
Australian systems. Students will come to understand the key ecological components and
processes in aquatic systems, and how ecological knowledge can be applied to management
issues. The unit will provide students with experience in environmental monitoring and
manipulative experiments, including formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, data
collection, analyses, and communication of results. A basic knowledge of statistics is
assumed. This unit has a strong emphasis on fieldwork, with essential supporting and
contextual knowledge provided by laboratory classes and lectures. This unit helps prepare
individuals for employment in aquatic sciences and is beneficial for those continuing to
postgraduate studies in aquatic ecology and management.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are
available at http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/enrolmentguide/academicdates/
Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
2. Identify common invertebrates to the family level
3. Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
4. Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
5. Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
6. Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
7. Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Assessment Tasks
Name
Weighting
Due
River Ecology Report
35%
Week 8
Report editing and review
5%
Week 8
Marine Ecology prac tasks
25%
Weeks 9-12
Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
5%
Weeks 4 & 5
Mid semester quiz
25%
Week 7
Guest Lecture Attendance
5%
Weeks 3,6,10,11,12
River Ecology Report
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 35%
Students will complete a scientific report on a field-based survey of aquatic habitats in the
Kangaroo River-Shoalhaven Catchment. Biological data will be collected on the field trip.
Students will be expected to identify the invertebrates collected and report on the diversity found
and process other samples collected as directed in class. The report will follow the standard
format for a professional scientific report, i.e., it will have an abstract/summary, introduction,
materials and methods, results and discussion sections and appendices. It will be appropriately
referenced. Further details of the assignment requirements will be given in class or online
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Identify common invertebrates to the family level
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
• Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Report editing and review
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 5%
Students will bring to class their scientific report. The reports will be distributed among the class
and each student will edit and review the work of another. Submissions will be anonymous. You
will receive the feedback and comments made by your classmates who have reviewed your
work.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Marine Ecology prac tasks
Due: Weeks 9-12
Weighting: 25%
Over a series of consecutive weeks students will complete small tasks which together create the
key components of a scientific study. Details on each task will be provided in class and be due
the following week.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Identify common invertebrates to the family level
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
• Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
Due: Weeks 4 & 5
Weighting: 5%
Short written exercises will be completed that relate to activities undertaken in prac classes.
Usually these tasks can be completed in class time.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
Mid semester quiz
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%
A quiz will be held during class time. The quiz will cover all material from prac classes, lectures
and online learning activities given prior to the quiz date.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
Guest Lecture Attendance
Due: Weeks 3,6,10,11,12
Weighting: 5%
Attendance at five guest lectures. Marked as pass/fail based on attendance for whole lecture.
Guest lectures are those highlighted in bold in the lecture schedule of the unit outline.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
Delivery and Resources
Students are required to attend an off-campus, overnight field trip in week 5. Students are
required to cover costs of accommodation and meals for this trip. Transport is provided and
students are required to pay a transport levy.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students
should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the
Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The
Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special
Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of
Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of
Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they
are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your
student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information
visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details,
visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study
strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
• Workshops
• StudyWise
• Academic Integrity Module for Students
• Ask a Learning Adviser
Student Enquiry Service
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
Equity Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide
appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/
offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy.
The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge,
scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them
competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where
relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able
to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific
knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary
solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Identify common invertebrates to the family level
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
• Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Report editing and review
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
• Mid semester quiz
• Guest Lecture Attendance
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing
data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and
they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in
order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative
in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
• Identify common invertebrates to the family level
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
• Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms
effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to
read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess,
write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication
technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
Learning outcome
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Report editing and review
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to
demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement.
They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to
handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing
environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
• Evaluate and address the risks associated with fieldwork in and around water
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Report editing and review
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate
and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to
critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and
systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to
have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
• Identify common invertebrates to the family level
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
• Prepare and edit scientific reports to a professional standard
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Report editing and review
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
• Guest Lecture Attendance
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work
with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and
country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active
participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Discuss the ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems and their biota
• Identify physical, chemical, and biotic factors in oceans, estuaries, rivers, streams, lakes,
and aquifers that influence biota and ecosystem functions
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
• Mid semester quiz
• Guest Lecture Attendance
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue
knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they
participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships
with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally
and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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Unit guide BIOL373 Aquatic Ecosystems
Learning outcomes
• Describe the characteristics and ecological roles of the major biotic groups in aquatic
ecosystems
• Apply various field methods for sampling aquatic biota
Assessment tasks
• River Ecology Report
• Marine Ecology prac tasks
• Freshwater Ecology prac tasks
• Mid semester quiz
• Guest Lecture Attendance
Changes from Previous Offering
This unit has changed considerably from previous offerings.Content of BIOL373 has expanded
to include all aquatic ecosystems (including freshwater) and now incooporates content and
learning activities previously delivered in BIOL362 Freshwater Ecology.
http://unitguides.mq.edu.au/unit_offerings/72004/unit_guide/print
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