Science and Sustainability 2: Fresh Water Ecology

Course aim

To enhance students' understanding of the functioning of natural systems, and the ways in which these are altered by human impact through a study of freshwater ecology.

Course content

Students will develop an understanding of the energy capture by and transport through living systems: photosynthesis and chemosynthesis, respiration, trophic levels, food chains and food webs. Students will also develop an understanding material movement through living systems: nutrient cycles, sinks and resources, Freshwater organisms and niches, common and indicator organisms. Students will undertake fieldwork on physical, chemical and biological parameters. Students will develop an understanding of cooperative collection, analysis, display and discussion of data, human impact: harvesting water and biomass, modification of nutrient cycles; addition of exotic materials, management of natural systems: Murray/Darling Basin, local catchment boards, local wetlands, ecologically sustainable development; biodiversity/threatened species protection, waterwatch and other community monitoring activities and national and international approaches to freshwater environmental education.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Fieldwork report, Folio, Laboratory report

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 2)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.