Course coordinator
Dr April Reside
Best consultation is immediately after lectures and practicals. Otherwise please email me�to arrange a time to meet.�
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course will give students a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of wildlife population management. This course will provide students with the skills required to implement wildlife population management in a range of contexts and spatial scales. Students will examine issues surrounding wildlife population management and evaluate the evidence for ecological outcomes of different management approaches, and considering socio-economic contexts. Students will learn from researchers and managers working directly with wildlife management.
People have been managing wildlife for thousands of years, predominantly for harvest, and as part of broader landscape and ecosystem management. This course will explore the contemporary motivations for managing wildlife, in particular too few (threatened species recovery); too many (invasive and where there are issues with native species); managing threats to wildlife (e.g. diseases and climate change) and managing populations for harvest. The course will cover the underlying science needed for contemporary wildlife population management, including populations and processes, ecological niche concepts and habitat. It will take a decision-science approach to investigate the goals of wildlife management, with a hands-on and interactive approach, with relevant and local case studies.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are expected to have an understanding of basic biology and first year ecology. It will be assumed that students have a basic knowledge of Australian ecosystems and statistics.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
AGRC1023, AGRC1032, ANIM1026
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
ANIM2033
Companion or co-requisite courses
You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:
ANIM3019, ANIM3046
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
Lectures are shared with online opportunities for external students.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr April Reside
Dr Andrew Letten
Dr Coen Hird
Timetable
Additional timetable information
Please note that there will not be practicals every week. Details will be in your timetable, and updates will come via Blackboard announcements.
A Field Trip will be taking place in Week 4 - Friday 21st March 2025
Aims and outcomes
To develop a broad understanding of the principles of wildlife population management, the benefits and costs of different approaches, and how these are applied in real world contexts. Students will develop skills relevant to the practical application of wildlife management, including a deeper understanding of the ecology of native species.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Illustrate a broad range of concepts of wildlife population management
LO2.
Formulate a wildlife management plan founded on principles of wildlife population management
LO3.
Identify a broad range of native Australian species, and understand their ecology and inter- and intra-specific interactions
LO4.
Interrogate scientific literature and data to critically analyse approaches and outcomes
LO5.
Implement a range of population monitoring techniques
LO6.
Communicate effectively individually and as a group to implement a monitoring project and present the findings to the class.
LO7.
Reflect critically on learning and conservation practices
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Critical reflection exercise
|
5% |
14/03/2025
During Practical |
| Quiz |
Quizzes
|
20% (5% each quiz) |
Quiz 1: 18/03/2025 2:00 pm Quiz 2: 8/04/2025 2:00 pm Quiz 3: 13/05/2025 2:00 pm Quiz 4: 30/05/2025 5:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Managing wetlands for wildlife | 45% |
2/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation | Acoustic monitoring project | 30% |
30/05/2025
During Practical |
Assessment details
Critical reflection exercise
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
14/03/2025
During Practical
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L06, L07
Task description
Students will individually write a 1-2 page critical reflection addressing:
- How their understanding of traditional narratives of wildlife population have evolved through this class.
- Reflect on the epistemological implications of privileging one knowledge system over another.
- Suggest one way wildlife management in Australia could better integrate Indigenous perspectives.
This will be done in-class and submitted at the end of the practical.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Hand-written reflections are to be submitted at the end of the practical.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Quizzes
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20% (5% each quiz)
- Due date
Quiz 1: 18/03/2025 2:00 pm
Quiz 2: 8/04/2025 2:00 pm
Quiz 3: 13/05/2025 2:00 pm
Quiz 4: 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
The quizzes will review the key concepts and material covered in lectures and practicals, and provide students with the opportunity to evaluate whether they are sufficiently across the material as the semester progresses.
There will be four quizzes across the semester. Each quiz is worth 5%, contributing a combined total of 20% of the course grade.
The quizzes will be conducted using Inspera Assessment.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To be completed via Inspera.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extension is available for quizzes as quiz responses are discussed in the Lecture following submission. Where you are unable to attend a quiz due to exceptional circumstances, an alternative quiz may be made available to you throughout the semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Managing wetlands for wildlife
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
2/05/2025 2:00 pm
Task description
The aim of this exercise is for students to bring together what they have learned about wildlife population management at this point in the course, and combine theory with practical outputs intended to be useful for implementation by real-world managers. Students will research the landscape context of a local wetland, and its values and stakeholders. Students will conduct biodiversity surveys and a wetland condition assessment, and include these in a management plan.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Legal Declaration: By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Acoustic monitoring project
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
30/05/2025
During Practical
Task description
Students will conduct an acoustic monitoring project in small groups. Each group will be given the opportunity to present the key findings of their acoustic monitoring project. In addition to presenting the main findings, students will be expected to provide a short introduction to the study including the research question, the rationale for the study and the study expectations (or hypothesis being tested). A brief explanation of the key findings putting the findings of the study in perspective with relevant scientific literature will be expected. Presentations needs to be done as PowerPoint presentations. All members of the group needs to contribute to parts of the talk.
This assessment task evaluates student’s abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note the following when writing assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments.
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the course coordinatorﾠinvolved,ﾠevery attempt will be made to haveﾠthe results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will not be available untilﾠgrades release day. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for timeframes. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
- An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Please note: To find the Apps on the Queensland Museum webpage, please use to search function to find each individual App.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Principles of wildlife population management Overview of the course and principles of wildlife population management; the Australian ecological context Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Fundamentals of wildlife management: Indigenous perspectives, and understanding population dynamics Indigenous perspectives; dynamics of wildlife populations. Learning outcomes: L01, L07 |
Practical |
Flipped Classroom: Rethinking wilderness narratives through Indigenous epistemologies Classroom discussions to critically engage students in analysing the intersection of epistemology and dominant conservation frameworks, with a focus on wilderness narratives and Indigenous stewardship. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
Small populations and extinction risk; and habitat Population processes relevant to extinction risk; the ecological niche and habitat Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Managing wetlands for wildlife Managing wetlands in agricultural landscapes with a focus on waterbirds - perspectives from QLD Dep Environment & Science |
Fieldwork |
Fieldtrip: Wetlands & waterbirds Lockyer Valley Council-managed wetlands trip to count waterbirds and investigate management requirements |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Threats to wildlife and threat listing Threats to wildlife, International and national threatened species listings and regulatory frameworks Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Why are we managing wildlife? Too few Managing threatened species, threats and threat interactions Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Mapping species distributions Overview of mapping species distributions and creating a distribution model for your species of interest. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Why are we managing wildlife? Too many Invasive and native species impact and management. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Nest boxes as a management tool We will be using specialised cameras to check the occupancy of nest boxes on campus, and discuss the role of nestboxes in management and conservation. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Managing wildlife case studies Managing overabundant and issues with native species for a conservation outcome. Threatened species management. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Threats to wildlife: climate change impacts and adaptation Managing one of the biggest threats to wildlife: climate change. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Monitoring wildlife #1 Theory and practice of monitoring wildlife with a range of standard techniques Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Monitoring wildlife Prac 1 - Internal & external This prac will be for Internal & External students (externals likely to leave the prac at around the 1/2 time mark). Introduce the assessment and learn how to use Acoustic Recorders (BARs) and plan your acoustic monitoring study. Berndt Janse Van Rensburg Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Monitoring wildlife #2 Theory and practice of monitoring wildlife with a range of standard techniques Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Monitoring wildlife Prac 2 - Internal & External This prac will be for Internal & External students. Students will learn how to extract data using Audacity. In addition, external students will be introduced to existing data which they will use to plan and run their acoustic monitoring project from. Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
Managing for sustainability Farming and harvesting wild species Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Monitoring wildlife Prac 3 - Q&A This prac will be for both Internal & External students. Note, this prac will be done via Zoom only. No f2f. Q&A opportunity for any students having last minute questions about their acoustic field projects and data presentation. Berndt Janse Van Rensburg & Alanna Filer |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Wildlife management from a practitioners perspective What about those with a deep connection, interest and experience managing wildlife? What does it look like from their perspective? What are the practicalities of implementing management, and lessons from the field? Come along and meet experienced wildlife management practitioners. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L07 |
Practical |
Monitoring wildlife Prac 4 This prac will be for both Internal & External students. Presentation of acoustic monitoring results. External students will conduct their presentation via Zoom. Berndt Janse Van Rensburg |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.