School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Ecology
  • Unit Code

    SCI1185
  • Year

    2025
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Robert DAVIS

Description

This unit introduces students to the fundamental concepts in ecology, with a particular emphasis on Australian examples.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Identify and explain key concepts related to discipline specific knowledge.
  2. Analyse scientific data gathered during fieldwork.
  3. Present results of analysis in a scientific report.
  4. Use key concepts in ecology to solve problems in a variety of situations.
  5. Apply appropriate sampling theory and field techniques to the collection of ecological data.

Unit Content

  1. Biotic communities, community structure, species diversity, spatial and temporal succession; ecotones and the edge effect; and concept of climax.
  2. Ecological characteristics of selected terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
  3. Sampling theory and ecological survey techniques, use of field equipment, use of basic ecological statistics to analyse collected data.
  4. The biosphere and the ecosystem: its biotic and abiotic components.
  5. The nature of ecosystems: biogeochemical cycles, trophic levels, energy flow, food webs, productivity, and limiting factors.
  6. The scope, subdivisions and roles of ecological science.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 21 x 9 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot Offered13 x 2 hour lecture

For more information see the Semester Timetable

WIL - Field Experience

Students will undertake, and be assessed on, authentic activities through engagement with industry and community partners.

Students experience an environment where they observe and/or participate in the application of theoretical knowledge and skills in a professional setting, under the supervision of an expert or professional in the field. Examples include study tours, observation, shadowing, fieldwork, industry tours.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Theoretical knowledge and understanding are obtained through recorded or live lectures and self-directed reading focused on core concepts in ecology, including animal and plant populations and communities, sampling design and ecological survey techniques, and the nature of ecosystems. Students also undertake an intensive field practical opportunity undertaken in a natural environment, which allows students to apply their theoretical understanding of the core concepts in a practical context.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationFinal Exam45%
TestQuizzes15%
AssignmentField and laboratory reports40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationFinal Exam45%
TestQuizzes15%
AssignmentField and laboratory assignments40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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