Teaching

Science is fundamentally about testing ideas, and correctly testing these ideas depends on our ability to design robust studies and infer complex datasets. This unit will focus on learning research design, statistical analysis, and data interpretation for ecological studies. Using the R programming language, students will also learn to manipulate and visualise ecological data, apply statistical methods, and critically evaluate ecological evidence. A large component of the unit will be designing, running, and analysing your own ecological experiment from the start of its inception to reporting your findings in a clear and cohesive manner. Skills developed in this unit will provide a strong practical foundation for all ecologists, whether in research, government, industry, or society.

Effective conservation and management of wildlife needs to be informed by scientifically-rigorous wildlife research. This unit develops the knowledge (theory) and skills (practice) biologists need to study natural populations of undomesticated, terrestrial vertebrate wildlife for the purposes of conservation and management. Students will be immersed in real wildlife-research projects using case studies, and through practical experience of studying wildlife in the field.

This unit covers the systematics and morphology of the major groups of invertebrates and vertebrates, with emphasis on major evolutionary trends. How recent fossil finds and the development of molecular techniques are increasing our knowledge of the history of animal life and at times challenging traditional hypotheses will be explored. Students are expected to develop practical skills in using dichotomous keys, biological drawing and microscopy as well as acquiring a good theoretical background.