Unit of Study FORS3006 Ecosystem Modelling for Management (2024)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Anti-requisites

FOR00109 - Forest Modelling and Management OR FORS6001 - Forest Modelling and Management

Enrolment information

To succeed in this unit, you should have completed: STAT1002 - Scientific Data Management and Analysis.

Unit description

To use simulation modelling in a decision support framework in the context of planning and management of environmental resources. Students will complete the design and implementation of a simulation model as part of major assignment that will prepare them for oversight of environmental management projects.

Unit content

1. Context of modelling and prediction in management planning.

2. Modelling approaches, languages and tools, and introduction to the Visual Modelling Environment, Simile.

3. Basic concepts of modelling in system dynamics approaches.

4. Individual-based and Population-based modelling.

5. Advanced modelling techniques, including testing and verification.

6. Application and use of models, and presentation of findings.

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Lismore	Term2	Term2
Online	Term2	N/A

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:

critically reflect on the role of complex simulations in ecosystem management planning

select appropriate modelling approaches to address complex environmental issues by critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches

gather and synthesise relevant information and data to successfully run advanced simulations

critically evaluate and communicate findings from modelling to a range of audiences.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Simple model and reflective writing piece	25%
Framework	30%
Project	45%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Simple model and reflective writing piece	25%
Framework	30%
Project	45%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

This unit makes extensive use of the visual modelling environment Simile. Simile is available in SCU computer labs, will be made available during the unit, or the free evaluation version can be downloaded from the vendor Simulistics at http://www.simulistics.com/products/index.htm

Simile is available for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

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.

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