196712

Aquatic Ecology

This course presents an historical and theoretical perspective to the study of freshwaters, building on the general introduction in 196.313. Topics covered include stream ecosystem structure and function, aquatic macrophytes, plankton, freshwater fish, disturbance and land use impacts, and the implications of the Resource Management Act to aquatic ecology.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

196712

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

700-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

30

Subject

Ecology

Course planning information

Prerequisite courses

Complete first
196313 or 121313

You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.

General progression requirements

You may enrol in a postgraduate course (that is a 700-, 800- or 900-level course) if you meet the prerequisites for that course and have been admitted to a qualification which lists the course in its schedule.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Discuss ecological ideas and research methodology in aquatic ecology with reference to the current primary literature.
  • 2 Appreciate how those ideas can be applied in resource management.
  • 3 Discuss the relative importance of biotic interactions and disturbance in controlling stream invertebrate communities.
  • 4 Discuss modern issues in aquatic resource management.
  • 5 Discuss the roles of organic matter and periphyton in ecosystem function.
  • 6 Discuss the importance of scale in understanding how river and stream ecosystems function.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 50%
Exam College/GRS-based (not centrally scheduled) 50%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

There are no set texts for this course.

Course delivery details

No offerings available

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