Availabilities:
| Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour | ||
| Online |
Unit description
Encompasses the advanced study of the biology and ecology of marine mammals. It is based on cutting-edge international research, but includes critical evaluation of case studies from the local region. Students will obtain a high-level understanding of management priorities vital for the continued survival and recovery of marine mammal populations around the world.
Unit content
Marine mammal taxonomy, anatomical adaptations and evolution.
Biology and ecology of marine mammals, including reproductive biology, migrations, physiology, acoustic communication, diet and behaviour.
A critical analysis of human threats to marine mammals, including the history of whaling and current threats.
A detailed synthesis of the global conservation status of marine mammals.
A critical evaluation of conservation planning for marine mammals.
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | demonstrate an advanced understanding of the taxonomy, anatomy, biology and ecology of marine mammals | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 2 | demonstrate accurate species identifications of the common marine mammal occurring in Australian territorial waters | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
| 3 | critically evaluate the main types of human interactions with marine mammals and how they can be managed | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 4 | demonstrate a high-level understanding of how marine mammals are managed and the legislation governing their protection | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 5 | synthesise the risks posed to marine mammals by human activities such as whaling, fisheries, habitat loss, shipping, pollution, tourism and climate change | Intellectual rigour | Lifelong learning | |||||
| 6 | develop scientific communication skills to a professional level. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | Lifelong learning | ||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the taxonomy, anatomy, biology and ecology of marine mammals
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- demonstrate accurate species identifications of the common marine mammal occurring in Australian territorial waters
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- GA5: Lifelong learning
- critically evaluate the main types of human interactions with marine mammals and how they can be managed
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- demonstrate a high-level understanding of how marine mammals are managed and the legislation governing their protection
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- synthesise the risks posed to marine mammals by human activities such as whaling, fisheries, habitat loss, shipping, pollution, tourism and climate change
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA5: Lifelong learning
- develop scientific communication skills to a professional level.
- GA1: Intellectual rigour
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- GA5: Lifelong learning
Prescribed texts
- No prescribed texts.
Teaching and assessment
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.