BIO112 Principles of Ecology (8)

Abstract

The subject teaches the fundamental principles of ecology, focusing on Australian species and environments. It discusses the evolution and nature of Australian environments, concentrating especially on the historical relationship to other landmasses and to climate, the chemistry of soils and water, and explores the ways in which individual organisms have become adapted to live in many Australian environments. Topics such as the ecology of animal and plant populations and communities, competition, mutualism, life history strategies and biodiversity are also covered. There is no residential school associated with this subject when it is taken by distance education. Students competing this subject are able to apply their ecological knowledge to describe how Australian plants and animals are adapted to the environment and relate the basic principles of population ecology to the management of plants and animals.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
Internal	Albury-Wodonga Campus
Distance	Albury-Wodonga Campus
Session 3
Distance	Albury-Wodonga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO112
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Environmental Sciences

Enrolment restrictions

Students who have already completed BIO200 can not enrol in this subject

Incompatible subject(s)
BIO200

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

have an broad and coherent understanding of the key terminology, principles and concepts underpinning ecology
have a comprehensive understanding what is biodiversity and how it is measured
have a critical understanding the importance of the importance of competition, mutualism, life history strategies to survival
be able to critically apply evolutionary theory to the field of ecology and the Australian biota
be able to apply their ecological knowledge to describe how Australian plants and animals are adapted to the environment
relate the basic principles of population ecology to the management of plants and animals

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

The evolution of Australian environments
The nature of Australian environments, especially in terms of climates and salinity
Evolutionary theory and its application to ecology
Ecology of individual organisms, especially their adaptations to live in hot, dry environments and in areas of high salinity
An introduction to plant and animal population ecology and its application to management
Aspects of community ecology, including succession, competition and mutualism
Life history strategies
Biodiversity

Back

The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.