Ecology Field Studies (BIOL2015)

Course overview

Ecology and sampling methods primarily taught over a five-day field trip in the June/July recess to K'gari (Fraser Island). Soil and vegetation assessment in a range of habitats (from coastal sand dunes to bush to rainforests), ecology of various animals (from crabs to frogs to birds and mammals). There are additional costs for the field trip. All enquiries for permission to enrol to be addressed to environment@enquire.uq.edu.au. Preference will be given to students who have taken or are enrolled in BIOL2010, students enrolled in the Ecology and Conservation Biology Major and students requiring this course to fulfill their degree. Other students will be considered if places are available. There is a quota of 54 students attached to the course. The field trip is offered in the June/July break - not the mid-semester break.

All enquiries and requests for permission to enrol in BIOL2015 field trip must be sent to environment@enquire.uq.edu.auﾠ

Ecology can be variously defined as the study of environments for evolution, the interaction of organisms with their environment and the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of organisms. As such the discipline encompasses aspects of evolution, development, reproduction, physiology, and behaviour but at heart, ecologists like to be in the field undertaking observations and experiments on their particular system of interest. BIOL2015 is a field based course that will introduce many facets of the methodology and practice of ecology in a unique Australian environment. Students will undertake group modules in plant and animal ecology, be familiar with techniques for estimating distribution and abundance of organisms, and species-species interactions in variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

Please ensure that you include your UQ student number and the course code in all correspondence.

Course requirements

Assumed background

BIOL1030 or the equivalent background in ecology.

Attendance at the workshops is mandatory as important information concerning activities on the field trip is provided. Failure to attend all workshops, without approval, may result in a failing grade for the course.

Attendance on the field trip is mandatory. ﾠIf your circumstances change and you cannot attend you will need to withdraw from the course.ﾠ

COVID-19 testing will occur prior to field activities and positive cases will not be permitted to join. In this case, the COVID-19ﾠpositive students will be provided alternative learning resources and assessments.ﾠ

There is always a chance that the field trip will be cancelled, in which caseﾠstudents will be provided alternative learning resources and assessments.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

BIOL1030

Recommended companion or co-requisite courses

We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:

BIOL2010

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

BIOL2001

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

There are 8 lectures before the field trip, starting in March. They will introduce the ecological background of K'gari Fraser Island and the group projects you will be undertaking. The workshops will give hands-on experience in handling and presenting the data collected based on previous experience. The post-field trip "tutorial" will assist with further analysing data and writing up the project report.

Aims and outcomes

The course will give you hands on experience ofﾠ the ecological complexity of a number of habitat types: from sand dunes, to rainforest and mangroves.ﾠ You will become familiar with some standard approaches and methods in ecology, as well as formulating and testing hypotheses in a field setting, and write a paper in standard science format based on your analysis of a large class data set. The course will initiate closer interaction and collaboration amongst staff and students.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Workshop attendance and assignments

• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Participation/ Student contribution, Performance, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

15%

Due date

In class assignments

Task description

Submission guidelines

Students will complete their assignments in class after the workshop.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

As these assessments are to be completed and submitted in class, no extensions are available. Students are able to miss only 1 workshop. If you are unable to attend, please inform the course coordinator of your absence.

In-Semester exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Examination, Quiz

Weight

35%

Due date

Week 8 - Week 9

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

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. 

Field workbooks with proper notes

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

10%

Due date

27/06/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Students must submit their field workbooks directly to the Course Coordinator on the final day of the field trip.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

This assessment must be submitted before the field trip assignment (Module written as a paper) to prevent conflicts with the field trip, therefore a maximum of 14 days extension may be available. 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). 

Module written as a paper

• Team or group-based

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

40%

Due date

11/07/2025 2:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Students are permitted a maximum of 28 days to submit this assessment as it relies on data collected from the field trip. The submission date is 2 weeks after the field trip with a further maximum extension of 14 days available. 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). 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Assessment Submission

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.

Please ensure you receive and save the submission confirmation for all submitted items, you may be asked to produce this as evidence of your submission.

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.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Turnitin

All written assessment must be submitted via the appropriate Turnitin submission portal, which can be found within the Blackboard site. You are responsible for ensuring that your submission is complete. It is wise to re-enter the Turnitin portal and confirm that your submission is there and that it has not been altered during the submission process.

By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment”.

In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

Assessment/Attendance

Please notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Course Profile for your course also provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.

A note for repeating students in this course

Any student who enrols in a course must not be given exemption or partial credit from their previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. Instead, the student must successfully complete all of the learning activities and assessment items within the study period of enrolment (PPL Assessment - Procedures).

If the same assessment item is set from one year to the next, repeating students are allowed to submit the same work they submitted in previous attempts at the course. Where possible SENV recommends that you use the feedback you received in your last attempt to improve parts of the item where you lost marks. Resubmission of an altered or unaltered assessment item by a repeating student (where the same assessment has been set) will not be considered as self-plagiarism.

Plagiarism

You should be aware that the University employs purpose built software to detect plagiarism. It is very important that you understand clearly the practical meaning of plagiarism.

DEFINITION OF PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.

EXAMPLES OF PLAGIARISM:

1. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence;

2. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence with an end reference but without quotation marks around the copied text;

3. Copying ideas, concepts, research results, computer codes, statistical tables, designs, images, sounds or text or any combination of these;

4. Paraphrasing, summarising or simply rearranging another person's words, ideas, etc without changing the basic structure and/or meaning of the text;

5. Offering an idea or interpretation that is not one's own without identifying whose idea or interpretation it is;

6. A 'cut and paste' of statements from multiple sources;

7. Presenting as independent, work done in collaboration with others;

8. Copying or adapting another student's original work into a submitted assessment item.

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

You will be provided with a field handbook that will detail the group activities and provide detailed guidance on projects and tasks to be undertaken.ﾠ Background resource material will be provided in electronic format.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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 for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.