Course coordinator
Professor Salit Kark
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course provides a core baseline in conservation science and conservation biology in the context of wildlife conservation, discussing human wildlife-conflict, the processes for identifying threatened species, spatial conservation prioritisation and genetic considerations in biodiversity and wildlife management, providing hands-on experience in designing and undertaking applied conservation research using novel field techniques and approaches.
This course will introduce key concepts and research in the area of wildlife conservation.ﾠA series of lectures, discussions, and practicals will explore key wildlife and conservation issues, with a focus on human-induced environmental changes. We will show howﾠanimals change their movement patterns and behaviour in response to these changes, and highlight the consequences thereof in terms of generating and eliminating genetic variation and population implications. We will explore human interactions with wildlife and how this affects conservation at the global scale and will discuss waysﾠto mitigate impacts related to human-induced threats to wildlife and biodiversity, such as invasive species and land use changes. We will discussﾠstrategiesﾠthat mayﾠbenefit livelihood needs, challenges and opportunities related to global emerging threats. Finally, some successes and failures of international conservation initiatives will be discussed with a focus on frontline conservation regions in Australia, the Mediterranean Basin, Africa and around the world.
Course requirements
Assumed background
An undergraduate degree in biology with a specialisation in ecology, evolution, conservation, zoology or botany (or equivalent) or an undergraduate degree in environmental science and/or geography. Alternatively, have successfully met the pathway criteria as determined by the course coordinator.ﾠﾠ
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Salit Kark
Associate Professor Diana Fisher
Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Demonstrator
Associate Professor Diana Fisher
Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Practicals and tutorials will take placeon Zoom for external students. The course starts in Week 3.
Aims and outcomes
For the student to:
- Gain hand-on and theoretical experience in conservation science
- Gain an in-depth understanding of key topics, methods and approachesﾠin conservation science and wildlife biology, ecology and conservation
- Gain skills involved in literature searches, abstract writing,ﾠproposal development, literature searching and reviewsﾠﾠ
- Gain and demonstrate skills in critical thinking and scientific writing by being able to integrate key ideas in conservation, human-wildlife conflict, biogeography, genetics, novel technologies,ﾠecological disturbances such as fire and invasive species in a conservation framework.
- Gain an understanding of some ofﾠthe main tools used in conservation and wildlife biology and the cross-disciplinary and cross-scale nature of the area.
- Develop teamwork and group work skills, as well as independentﾠlearning skills.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify conservation issues and the key factors involved
LO2.
Gain perspectives on, both the successes and failures, of national and international conservation initiatives with a focus on frontline conservation regions in Australia and Africa
LO3.
Produce short and concise summaries, both verbally and in written form, of conservation topics and in depth reviews of the scientific literature relating to particular conservation initiatives
LO4.
Advance teamwork and group work skills, as well as independent learning skills.
LO5.
Critically reflect on your development as a professional as a result of your course participation
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster |
Assessment 1a - Mini-Project, RiPPLE submission
|
35% |
4/09/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory |
| Essay/ Critique |
Assessment 1b - Mini-project, Peer review
|
pass/fail |
11/09/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory |
| Essay/ Critique | Assessment 2 - Short essay | 30% |
2/10/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory |
| Quiz |
Assessment 3a - Conservation genetics quiz
|
18% |
18/10/2024 4:30 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Assessment 3b - Conservation genetics management plan report
|
17% |
25/10/2024 4:30 pm
Mandatory |
Assessment details
Assessment 1a - Mini-Project, RiPPLE submission
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
4/09/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory
Task description
CONS6009: This task is linked to the module taught by Professor Salit Kark
Task Description:
Students will submit a poster (via Turnitin), summarizing their mini-project outcomes, including research goals, hypotheses, methods, results, and discussion, as further explained in Prac sessions and on Blackboard. Only one poster will be submitted per group.
This will contribute to 35% of the grade for this course.
One group member to submit via Turnitin, further information will be provided in class. All group members need to make sure each poster submitted has all group student full names (including student numbers) on the poster title. All group members are responsbile for ensuring the correct version of the poster was submitted on time by their group representative.
You need to make sure you are aware of the relevant information regarding issues of plagiarism. Students are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) which makes a comprehensive statement about the University's approach to plagiarism, including the approved use of plagiarism detection software, the consequences of plagiarism, and the principles associated with preventing plagiarism.
Submission guidelines
The assessment must be submitted as an electronic version through Turnitin.
Turnitin submission: Only one file per group should be submitted. Access the Assessment folder on the course Blackboard site Upload an electronic version through the Turnitin site for the assignment Retain the receipt as proof of submission.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Assessment 1b - Mini-project, Peer review
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- pass/fail
- Due date
11/09/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
Task description
CONS6009: This task is linked to the module taught by Professor Salit Kark
Students will provide one of the others groups feedback on their poster and resources using RiPPPLE as will be explained in more detail in the practical session and on Blackboard, this is done by each student individually rather than in groups
Submission guidelines
via RiPPLE
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Assessment 2 - Short essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
2/10/2024 10:00 am
Mandatory
Task description
CONS6009: This task is linked to the module taught by A/Prof Diana Fisher
Assessment 2 - Take home essay, fire ecology and conservation
Duration: 2 weeks
Format: Essay
You will answer essay questions related to the reading, lecture and prac material (total of 30 marks). This essay needs to be submitted electronically via Turn-It-In (turnitin). You will choose one of the three options as in the instructions. Make sure you answer only one question in essay format, maximum three A4 pages. Before answering, read each question carefully and plan your essay approach.
You need to make sure you are aware of the relevant information regarding issues of plagiarism. Students are encouraged to read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) which makes a comprehensive statement about the University's approach to plagiarism, including the approved use of plagiarism detection software, the consequences of plagiarism, and the principles associated with preventing plagiarism.
Submission guidelines
Via Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Plan in advance and complete your work on time. Do not submit late, its not worth it.
Assessment 3a - Conservation genetics quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
18/10/2024 4:30 pm
Task description
CONS6009: This task is linked to the module taught by A/Prof Paul Ebert
Assessment 3 - Conservation genetics report
Based on specific information provided to you in the first practical of the conservation genetics module, you will select an endangered species from the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In subsequent practicals, you will be provided short response questions that will help you develop recommendations for the genetic management of the species. This project will require you to apply theoretical knowledge from lecture, new skills from the prac and information from the primary literature as you develop the genetic management plan for the species. You will develop your management plan each week during the prac, so attendance of pracs will be needed. The management plan and an associated quiz will constitute your assessment for the module:
Assessment 3a: 18 marks for the quiz submitted via Blackboard opens on BB in prac on the 17th of October (expected to be completed in prac class, final submission due 18th October 4:30 pm)
Assessment 3b: 17 marks for the management plan report (expected to be completed in prac class, final submission due 25th October 4:30 pm)
This report and quiz will be submitted electronically as will be detailed by the lecturer in class and further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
More information will be provided in class and on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Assessment 3b - Conservation genetics management plan report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 17%
- Due date
25/10/2024 4:30 pm
Mandatory
Task description
CONS6009: This task is linked to the module taught by A/Prof Paul Ebert
Assessment 3 - Conservation genetics report
Based on specific information provided to you in the first practical of the conservation genetics module, you will select an endangered species from the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In subsequent practicals, you will be provided short response questions that will help you develop recommendations for the genetic management of the species. This project will require you to apply theoretical knowledge from lecture, new skills from the prac and information from the primary literature as you develop the genetic management plan for the species. You will develop your management plan each week during the prac, so attendance of pracs will be needed. The management plan and an associated quiz will constitute your assessment for the module:
Assessment 3a: 18 marks for the quiz submitted via Blackboard opens on BB in prac on the 17th of October (expected to be completed in prac class, final submission due 18th October 4:30 pm)
Assessment 3b: 17 marks for the management plan report (expected to be completed in prac class, final submission due 25th October 4:30 pm)
This report and quiz will be submitted electronically as will be detailed by the lecturer in class and further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
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% |
Additional course grading information
ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Students are required to submit all assessments and a grade of at least 50% overall to pass the course.
Applications for Extensions
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
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 Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Supplementary assessment is available
APPLYING FOR A DEFERRAL OF AN EXAM
If you are unable to sit an exam you need to apply online through my-SiNet. Please read the information on theﾠMyUQ websiteﾠon how to apply for a deferral of your exam.
SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENTS
All assessments for this course will be submitted electronically using the "Turnitin" software via the "Blackboard" site.
PLEASE NOTE:
Unlike undergraduate courses,you can only submit your assignment ONCE through Turnitin - multiple submissions cannot occur. The Turnitin site will be open on the due date.
Please make sure you submit only the final version through Turnitin
Turnitin submission
1. Access the Assessment folder on the course Blackboard site
2. Upload an electronic version through Turnitin the assessment Turnitin site
3. You will be sent a receipt, retain the receipt as proof of submission.
4. If you don't receive a receipt, your assessment wasn't submitted.
ﾠ
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
Students may be required to work in groups and submit an assessment item as a group.
If you submit one assignment for the whole group then ALL group members MUST attach a signed coversheet to the group assignment and submit it by the due date. Late submission of a coversheet will result in a late submission penalty. If a coversheet is not attached the student will be recorded as not having submitted the item.
In some cases, students are expected to work in a group to gather data or generate ideas, but are expected to submit individual assessment items based on the group work. This means that you can use the group-generated ideas or data but you cannot collaborate to produce the individual written submissions. If the divisions are unclear, ask for clarification.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE USE (AI)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ 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 misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
If you do not have any background in conservation, management, ecology, science etc, you are most welcome to take a look at this free book before and during the course:
Sodhi NS & Ehrlich PR (2010) Conservation Biology For All. Oxford University Press. Freely downloadable fromﾠhttp://www.mongabay.com/conservation-biology-for-all.html
Study material will be provided via the CONS6009 course website. More detailed information on assessment may also be accessed via this website.
To access this material, visit theﾠ"Class Resources"ﾠlink onﾠthe CONS6009 course website.ﾠThis provides access the study material and further information on the assessment items for this course.
ﾠ
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 |
|---|---|---|
Not scheduled |
Practical |
Course Information This course starts in Week 3 due to program reasons. The pracs will be in two rounds (10 am - 1 pm or 2 - 5 pm). Each student will attend only one practical session each week as assigned by the admin office |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Wildlife Conservation: Introduction, Human wildlife interaction Note: Course starts in week 3 due to program reasons Lecturer: Kark Wildlife and Conservation: Overview Challenges in wildlife conservation, conservation science, history of the area, human perceptions, human-wildlife interactions, cross-scale conservation |
Practical |
Prac 1 Lecturer: Kark, Tutors Statistics and conservation, Introduction to Project, Human Ethics, Surveys in science Project planning session |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Wildlife Conservation: Approaches and tools Lecturer: Kark Wildlife Conservation: Introduction, tools and approaches for conservation across scales: from genes to species, communities and ecosystems. Key conservation conflicts, fencing, refuges, threatened species conservation, hunting, trade and wildlife conservation, policy-related issues, dilemmas and opportunities |
Lecture |
EKKA Day No lectures on Wed 14 August 2024 due to public hoiday |
|
Practical |
Prac 2 Lecturer: Kark, Tutors Background to conservation science: Research Process, Experimental Design, tools in conservation science, Critical scientific writing and planning skills, conservation planning and wildlife conservation |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Wildlife Conservation: Science, planning and interactions Lecturer: Kark Humans & Wildlife Conservation: setting conservation priorities Extinctions and trends, conservation across spatial scales: from global to local, Reducing conflict, How do we decide what to conserve, setting conservation priorities for wildlife, biodiversity, ecosystem and landscape considerations, conservation hotspots, gap analysis, incorporating threats and costs into wildlife conservation, advanced tools, IUCN extinction categories, cross boundary collaboration and wildlife conservation, human-wildlife conflict and interactions |
Practical |
Prac 3 Lecturer: Kark, Tutors Tools in conservation (field and lab, observational and experimental), Critical scientific writing and planning skills, Writing a Critique, Presentation Skills, Work on projects, statistical analyses and presentation preparation |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Applied Wildlife Conservation Lecturer: Kark Dynamic conservation, wildlife conservation outside protected areas, wildlife conservation lessons: the case of the Northern Spotted Owl, management, ecology and policy, major reserve design principles for wildlife conservation, the role of scientists in wildlife conservation. |
Practical |
Prac 4 Lecturer: Kark, Tutors Poster session preparation and Q&A session |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Resilience, resistance and adaptation to fire Lecturer: Fisher Species resilience, resistance, and adaptation to fire |
Practical |
Workshop on threatened species Lecturer: Fisher, Tutors Workshop on threatened species recovery & planning for future fires |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Cultural burning and history of bushfire Lecturer: Fisher Cultural burning and history of bushfire in Australia |
Case-based learning |
Prac No practical in person or online class. Self directed learning, work on Assessment 2. Please use this time to read the questions, choose which of the questions you will answer, and plan your essay. |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Prevention of severe bushfires - what works? Lecturer: Fisher Prevention of severe bushfires - what works? |
Not Timetabled |
Career pathways session (online) Pre-recorded career pathways session with Professor Salit Kark further information will be provided on Blackboard |
|
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Conservation Genetics: Introduction Lecturer: Ebert Introduction & risk of inbreeding |
Practical |
Using pedigrees as a tool Lecturer: Ebert Using pedigrees as a tool in conservation management |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Conservation Genetics: Population size and drift Lecturer: Ebert Population size and drift |
Practical |
Investigating population biol Lecturer: Ebert, TA Investigating population biology with genetic tools |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Conservation Genetics: Gene flow Lecturer: Ebert |
Practical |
Using genetic information Lecturer: Ebert Using genetic information to manage wildlife populations |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Cons Genetics: Management decision making Lecturer: Ebert |
Practical |
Conservation Genetics Lecturer: Ebert Cons Genetics: Advanced technologies |
Additional learning activity information
This course starts in Week 3 due to program reasons.
The pracs will be in two rounds (10 am - 1 pm and 2 - 5 pm). Each student will attend only one practical session each week as assigned by the admin office
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.