ENVSCI 716 : Applied Freshwater Ecology

Science

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Applied freshwater management and restoration issues considered in light of general ecological processes in freshwater systems. Contemporary issues in New Zealand and overseas such as eutrophication, invasive species and climate change are considered. Students will be introduced to methods of measuring ecological health of streams and lakes. Field and laboratory experience in data collection and analysis relevant to environmental management.

Course Overview

This course addresses the primary threats to freshwater ecosystems, the basic ecological processes affected by those threats, and the tools required to quantify freshwater response.  Students undertake field and laboratory exercises to learn fundamental skills to sample freshwater systems and process samples to produce data.  Computer-based labs are used to learn the basics of processing and organizing data typically used in environmental monitoring systems.  Students will use real monitoring data to produce a report outlining the state of freshwater integrity and to propose management solutions for environmental problems.  Knowledge and skills learned in this course are relevant to a range of careers in environmental management and assessment.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Students will be able to define and explain the major threats to ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems (Capability 1)
  2. Students will be able to communicate and explain how freshwater ecosystems can be monitored for ecological integrity (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
  3. Students will be able to devise and explain sampling strategies for monitoring and assessment of freshwater (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Students will be able to organize, present and interpret ecological monitoring data (Capability 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
In-course tests 30% Individual Coursework
Reading Summaries 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Report 50% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
In-course tests
Reading Summaries
Assessment Report

Tuākana

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for, and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection), and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.
This course is supported by our Programme Coordinator, Kaiāwhina/Māori student adviser, and Pacific student adviser. They are able to organise group study and facilitate direct assistance regarding material taught in this course. For more information regarding the Programme see: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html 

Learning Resources

None beyond reading material supplied through Canvas.

Special Requirements

Students are to participate in a one day field trip.  Basic lab safety training to be supplied in the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 18 hours of lectures, 14 hours of field and lab exercises, 40 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 76 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 28/07/2020 05:48 p.m.