Overview | Honours | Summary of Courses

Offered By:	ANU Joint Colleges of Science
Academic Contact:	Dr Robert Magrath
Areas of Interest:	Biology and Evolution and Ecology

Description:

This minor provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts in evolutionary and ecological studies, as they apply to both the plant and animal kingdoms. The courses offered give students the opportunity to extend their knowledge in the areas of behavioural ecology, marine ecology, the biological impacts of climate change, and to grapple with the controversial issues in evolutionary biology.

A solid grounding in the areas of evolution and ecology are essential for students intending to pursue higher degrees in these areas. In addition, students who have an interest in field based careers (rangers, ecological surveyors  and consultants, field research) or in wildlife management (conservation and environmental policy, sustainable resource management) require the understanding of field research techniques and ecological and evolutionary theory on which these professions are based.

Learning Goals:

Students completing the minor in Evolution and Ecology will be able to:

1. Explain fundamental concepts in evolution and ecology.
2. Recognise how hypotheses are tested in the fields of evolution and ecology and identify areas of uncertainty and controversy in the discipline.
3. Access and critically assess the primary research literature in the field.
4. Formulate testable hypotheses for evolutionary and ecological problems based on their conceptual understanding.
5. Classify, compare and describe plant and animal species and describe the processes involved in their evolutionary and ecological interactions.
6. Apply the practical skills necessary to carry out research, based on their experiences of field studies, and /or working in a research team.
7. Deploy statistical techniques of analysis within one or more areas of ecological research, including the use of databases and statistical packages.
8. Be conversant with the specialist terms that are used by evolutionary and ecological scientists, as well as being able to communicate information and concepts clearly and concisely to interested lay persons.

Requirements

This minor requires the completion of 24 units, which must include:

A total of 12 units from the following compulsory courses:

BIOL2122  Australian Functional Plant Diversity

BIOL2131  Population Ecology

A total of 12 units to be chosen from the following 3000 level courses:

BIOL3116  Marine Ecology

BIOL3125  Plants and Global Climate Change

BIOL3131  Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology

BIOL3132  Field Studies in Behavioural Ecology

BIOL3206  Evolution of Biodiversity

BIOL3208  Biology Research Project

Advice to Students:

Students need to be aware that some of the courses in the minor require prerequisite courses that are not listed as part of the minor, as follows:

BIOL2131 Population Ecology requires BIOL1003; first year statistics (STAT1003 or STAT1008) is strongly recommended.

BIOL2122 Australian Plant Functional Diversity requires BIOL1009

BIOL3131 is a co-requisite for BIOL3132

Students should seek further course advice from the academic convener of this Evolution and Ecology minor.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.