Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in November 2020

Unit description

Provides field-based learning approaches to studying coral reef ecology and management. Field training includes quantitative reef benthic and fish community surveys. Examines natural dynamism and the complex ecology of coral reef ecosystems, and their responses to disturbance. Highlights key management issues including climate change and the global reef loss.

Unit content

Introduction to coral reef ecology and key management issues

Reef origins, geomorphology and dynamism

Biology, reproduction, growth and ecology of coral communities

Algal builders and diversity of primary productivity on coral reefs

Secondary production and trophic pathways on coral reefs

Reef biodiversity and symbiosis on coral reefs

Reef fish communities and their management

Natural disturbance and reef resilience

Human impacts on coral reefs and reef degradation

Coral bleaching, climate change and global reef loss

Coral reef management issues and future scenarios for coral reefs

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.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1summarise key aspects of the biology and ecology of coral reef ecosystems and explain coral reef formationIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
2identify and classify important species and higher level taxa of corals, fish, algae and other reef organisms occurring on the Great Barrier Reef and explain their ecological rolesIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
3distinguish major ecological processes within coral reef ecosystems and explain their natural dynamismIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
4discriminate between natural and human-induced disturbance impacts on coral reefsIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
5analyse and interpret quantitative studies of coral reef communitiesIntellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineCommunication and social skills
6integrate the use of ecological information as an essential tool in management of coral reefsIntellectual rigourCreativityKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learning
7critically analyse the global status of coral reef ecosystems, and formulate appropriate reef management strategies in response to current and predicted future impacts.Intellectual rigourCreativityEthical practiceKnowledge of a disciplineLifelong learningCultural competence

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. summarise key aspects of the biology and ecology of coral reef ecosystems and explain coral reef formation
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  2. identify and classify important species and higher level taxa of corals, fish, algae and other reef organisms occurring on the Great Barrier Reef and explain their ecological roles
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  3. distinguish major ecological processes within coral reef ecosystems and explain their natural dynamism
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. discriminate between natural and human-induced disturbance impacts on coral reefs
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. analyse and interpret quantitative studies of coral reef communities
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
  6. integrate the use of ecological information as an essential tool in management of coral reefs
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
  7. critically analyse the global status of coral reef ecosystems, and formulate appropriate reef management strategies in response to current and predicted future impacts.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA2: Creativity
    • GA3: Ethical practice
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2021 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

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.

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