MB3200 Subject Outline PDF

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Summary

MB3200 Subject Outline - assignments, etc....

Description

Subject Outline

Subject Name

Marine Conservation Biology

Subject Code

MB3200

Study Period

53

Study Mode

Internal

Campus

Singapore

Subject Coordinator

Prof Geoff Jones

+ We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters where our University is located and actively seek to contribute and support the JCU Reconciliation Statement, which exemplifies respect for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures, heritage, knowledge and the valuing of justice and equity for all Australians. © Copyright 2019 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process or placed in computer memory without written permission.

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Pre-requisites Pre-requ isites Pre-requisites for MB3200: SC2202 OR 2C2209 OR BS2001 OR BZ2001 OR AG2001 OR MB2060 OR BS2460 This subject outline has been prepared by Dr Maya Srinivasan for the College of Science and Engineering, Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, James Cook University. Updated 08 November June 2019. Q1. This subject is offered across more than one campus and/or mode and/or teaching period within the one calendar year.

Yes ☒

No ☐

Q2. If Yes (Q1), the design of all offerings of this subject ensure the same learning outcomes and assessment types and weightings.

Yes ☐

No ☒

Q3. If no (Q2), Prof Marcus Sheaves has authorised any variations, in terms of equivalence.

Subject Outline Peer Reviewer Name

Neil Hutchinson

Position

Course Co-ordinator

Date Reviewed

11 November 2019

Staff Contact Details Teaching Team

Staff Member

Room

Phone

Email

Consultation times*

Subject Coordinator

Prof. Geoff Jones

n/a

n/a

[email protected]

n/a

Lecturer and Tutor

Prof.Jeff OBBARD

n/a

n/a

[email protected]

By appointment

*Other consultation times by appointment only.

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Contents 1

2

3

4

5

Subject at a glance ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1

Student participation requirements ........................................................................................................4

1.2

Key dates ..................................................................................................................................................4

Subject details ................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1

Subject description...................................................................................................................................5

2.2

Subject learning outcomes.......................................................................................................................5

2.3

Learning and teaching in this subject.......................................................................................................5

2.4

Student feedback on subject ...................................................................................................................6

2.5

Subject resources and special requirements ...........................................................................................6

Assessment details ........................................................................................................................................7 3.1

Requirements for successful completion of subject ................................................................................7

3.2

Feedback on student learning..................................................................................................................7

3.3

Assessment tasks .....................................................................................................................................7

Submission and return of assessment ................................................................................................ 12 4.1

Submission of assessment .....................................................................................................................12

4.2

Return of assessment .............................................................................................................................12

4.3

Plagiarism and referencing....................................................................................................................12

4.3

Important advice relating to examinations............................................................................................13

Subject calendar.......................................................................................................................................... 14

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1 Subject at a glance 1.1 Student participation requirements The JCU Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy (4.3) indicates that, “a 3 credit point subject will require a 130 hour work load of study-related participation including class attendance over the duration of the study period, irrespective of mode of delivery”. This work load comprises timetabled hours and other attendance requirements, as well as personal study hours, including completion of online learning activities and assessment requirements. Note that “attendance at specified classes will be a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of some subjects” (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.10); and that additional hours may be required per week for those students in need of English language, numeracy or other learning support. Key subject activities

Time

Day & Date

Room/Location

e.g. Lecture (3 hours per week)

Refer to JCU Timetable 2019

e.g. Tutorials (2 hours per week)

Refer to JCU Timetable 2019

There is no tutorial in Week 1. Tutorial 6 is am online tutorial, i.e. there will be no face-to-face tutorial to attend during the Study Week. For information on the days and times when lectures, tutorials, workshops, etc. are scheduled for all of your subjects, visit JCU Lecture Timetables at JCU Timetable 2019

1.2 Key dates Key dates

Date

Census date

See 2019 Study Period and Census Dates

Last date to withdraw without academic penalty

See 2019 Study Period and Census Dates

Assignment 1 – Marine Reserves report (20%)

Due Week 7-Thursday 2nd January

Assignment 2, Part 1 – Threatened Species status report (20%)

Due Week 9 – Thursday 16th January

Assignment 2, Part 2 – Threatened Species poster presentation (5%)

Due week 10 during tutorial on Thursday 23rd Jan

Tutorial attendance and participation (15%)

Tutorials 1-10 (Week 2 – Week 10)

Examination (40%)

Exam period

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2 Subject details 2.1 Subject description Conservation biology is the application of scientific methodology to the conservation of biological diversity. It is an ecological science that targets the causes and seeks remedies to the disastrous global decline in biodiversity that we have already seen on land, and are beginning to see in our harbours and oceans. This subject takes an ecological approach to human impacts on and conservation of marine habitats and species. It will describe the ecological effects of over-fishing, nutrient enrichment, habitat loss, pollution and marine introductions. The subject will examine the meanings of the terms rare and endangered for marine organisms and the threat of extinction. Current practices employed in the conservation and management of marine habitats and endangered marine species will be debated. A central focus will be the ecological principles and practice of designing marine reserves, enhancing populations of rare species and restoring damaged biological communities.

2.2 Subject learning outcomes Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to: • • • • • • • •

Appraise the status of marine conservation biology and emerging theory. Assess the key threats to marine species and ecosystems, including overfishing, habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution and climate change. Compare the effectiveness of different approaches for protecting marine biodiversity, including the endangered species concept, marine reserves and integrated coastal zone management. Examine the roles of population enhancement and habitat restoration in circumstances where conservation efforts have failed. Practice methods to undertake literature searches and synthesize information on critical issues in marine conservation and criticize published materials. Apply skills in environmental impact assessment and ecological surveys of tropical organisms. Evaluate the status of potentially endangered marine species and formulate management plans. Demonstrate presentation skills in evaluating controversies and knowledge in marine conservation biology.

These outcomes will contribute to your overall achievement of course learning outcomes. Your course learning outcomes can be located in the entry for your course in the electronic JCU Course and Subject Handbook 2019 (click on ‘Course Information’ bar/ select ‘Undergraduate Courses’ or ‘Postgraduate Courses’/ select relevant course/ scroll down to ‘Academic Requirements for Course Completion’, ‘Course learning outcomes’).

2.3 Learning and teaching in this subject Lectures in this subject are organised into several broad topics that are based on current issues in marine conservation biology. Lecture slides, written notes, lecture recording, and additional reading material for each lecture are provided on LearnJCU. Tutorials alternate between verbal discussion tutorials and computer workshops on topics that are related to the material covered in lectures. Verbal discussions and debates provide students with an opportunity to practice critical thinking and constructing coherent and convincing arguments. Assignment 1 is based on an exercise carried out during the computer workshop in Week 5. All reading material and information for each tutorial and assignment are provided on LearnJCU.

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2.4 Student feedback on subject As part of our commitment at JCU to improving the quality of our courses and teaching, we regularly seek feedback on your learning experiences. Student feedback informs evaluation of subject and teaching strengths and areas that may need refinement or change. YourJCU Subject and Teaching Surveys provide a formal and confidential method for you to provide feedback about your subjects and the staff members teaching within them. These surveys are available to all students through LearnJCU. You will receive an email invitation when the survey opens. We value your feedback and ask that you provide constructive feedback about your learning experiences for each of your subjects, in accordance with responsibilities outlined in the Student Charter. Refrain from providing personal feedback on topics that do not affect your learning experiences. Malicious comments about staff are deemed unacceptable by the University. In response to previous student feedback and other data, this year we have reduced the number of major written assignments from three to two, to keep the workload similar to other 3 credit point subjects in DTES.

2.5 Subject resources and special requirements Text Book/s: There is no textbook for this subject. Readings: Reading material for lectures and tutorials is provided via the ‘Readings’ platform, with links to this material in the section for each lecture and tutorial on LearnJCU. Materials on LearnJCU: All of the information and learning materials you need for this subject will be provided on LearnJCU. Regular updates/reminders will be posted on LearnJCU and the class Facebook page, so please check either of these regularly.

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3 Assessment details 3.1 Requirements for successful completion of subject In order to pass this subject, you must: • •

Achieve an overall average mark of at least 50% Attain a minimum score of 40% on the assessment

It is important to be aware that assessment “is always subject to final ratification following the examination period and that no single result represents a final grade in a subject” (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy 5.21.). Assessment items and final grades will be reviewed through moderation processes (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.13-5.18). It is important to be aware that assessment “is always subject to final ratification following the examination period and that no single result represents a final grade in a subject” (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.22.).

3.2 Feedback on student learning All assessment items will be marked online within 2 weeks of the date they were submitted (provided the assignment was submitted on time). For each assignment, a filled-out criteria sheet and individual comments will be provided to each student, and a page or two of general comments and common mistakes will be posted on LearnJCU. Feedback may also be given in the form of comments added to submitted documents on LearnJCU.

3.3 Assessment tasks The assessment consists of the following: Assessment 1 – Marine Reserves report (20%) Assessment 2 – Threatened Species status report and poster presentation (25%) Assessment 3 – Tutorial attendance and participation (15%) Assessment 4 – Examination (40%) ASSESSMENT TASK 1: (MARINE RESERVES REPORT)

Aligned subject learning outcomes

• the ability to generate, calculate, interpret and communicate numerical information in ways appropriate to a given discipline • the ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately and coherently • the ability to work individually and independently

Group or individual

Individual

Weighting

20%

Due Date

Due Week 3 Friday 29th November

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ASSESSMENT TASK 1: DESCRIPTION This assignment is a scientific report based on your results from Tutorial 4. In this tutorial, you will count herbivorous fishes and sea urchins, and estimate coral and algal cover at reefs closed to fishing and reefs open to fishing in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. Tutorial 5 is a tutorial on how to write up your marine reserves report. The class data set and ANOVA results, the Tutorial 5 recording, a link to references, and further information on this assignment, are in the ‘Assessment’ folder on LearnJCU. ASSESSMENT TASK 1: CRITERIA SHEET The marking sheet will be as follows:

MARKING CATEGORY

Maximum Marks

Title and key words

1.0

Descriptive title (not taken directly from the report instructions provided on LearnJCU) and at least 7 keywords.

Abstract

2.5

Brief summary of report (including aims of study), including key results and their significance

Introduction

3.5

Introduce topic beginning with general concepts; end with statement of specific aims/questions to be addressed

Methods

2.5

Describe study site. sampling design, methods for both field and lab data collection as well as analyses

Results

4.5

Good presentation of figures and ANOVA tables (i.e. axis labels, legends, error bars, captions/headings). Describe patterns from figures and ANOVA results.

Discussion

4.5

Discussion of results for all organisms included. Compare and contrast findings with other studies and offer explanations for why results may differ from other studies. Cite references to back up arguments put forth to explain results (i.e. no blatant speculation!).

References

1.5

Include at least 15 references including general papers on the effectiveness of marine reserves. Format of in-text citations and reference list should be consistent throughout and must follow the format of the journal Ecological Applications.

TOTAL

20

Mark

Comments

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ASSESSMENT TASK 2: THREATENED SPECIES REPORT AND POSTER PRESENTATION

Aligned subject learning outcomes

• the ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies, and the ability to evaluate that information • the ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically • the ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively • the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences • the ability to work individually and independently

Group or individual

Individual

Weighting

25% [20% for status report, 5% for presentation]

Due Date

Thursday 16th January [status report], Tutorials 10 [poster presentation]

ASSESSMENT TASK 2: DESCRIPTION In this assignment, you will need to select one threatened species from the list provided on LearnJCU (in the ‘Assessment’ folder). You will conduct a search of the information available on this species and write a report assessing the current and projected status of the species, and management options. Your report should be a maximum of 2500 words. It should begin with a title and should subsequently be divided into two sections: (1) (2)

Executive Summary – maximum of 500 words, summary your main conclusions and a list of recommendations, suitable for forwarding to a newspaper); Technical Report - maximum of 2000 words (excluding figures and tables). To provide structure and clarity, the use of headings and subheadings within the technical report is highly recommended, including an introduction at the beginning and a conclusions and recommendations section at the end.

You will also prepare a poster about your chosen species and give a 5-minute oral presentation of this poster. Poster presentations will be done during tutorial 10 (i.e. in week 10). Your presentation will be marked out of 5 (2.5 marks each for poster and talk). There are some guidelines for the poster presentation in the ‘Assessment’ folder on LearnJCU.

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ASSESSMENT TASK 2: CRITERIA SHEET The marking sheet for the status report will be as follows:

MARKING CATEGORY

Maximum marks

Executive summary

2.5

500-word summary of main findings. Write in plain language suitable for a press release.

Introduction

1.5

Must have a clear introduction… begin with general concepts, finish with a specific set of aims or questions.

General information

4.5

You must cover all the ecological...