Study
BIOS3161 Life in Arid Lands
Forty-four percent of Australia is desert and a further 37% is semi-arid grassland or shrub communities. These arid lands contribute much to our unique biodiversity. We examine the history of the formation of the Australian arid lands, their characteristics relative to other arid parts of the world, the evolutionary history of the flora and fauna, adaptations of plants and animals to arid environments, the major arid lands ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity. We apply biological knowledge to issues of land degradation, salination of soils, dryland farming, feral animal control and wildlife management for a sustainable future. A field trip to Western NSW is an essential part of the course and students will incur expenses.
Assumed knowledge: BIOS2051 and BIOS2031 or BIOS2061 or equivalent knowledge of the systematics and morphology of animals and plants.
Internships
Students may wish to gain practical experience and research training on the Station without directly applying the outcomes of any research (e.g. writing a thesis) to their degree. An intern must meet his/her own costs under the user-pays system operating for use of infrastructure (e.g. accommodation, telephone and internet access).
The Station does not pay any stipend to an intern nor meet the costs of an intern's accommodation or food.
The Station does provide an exceptional learning experience in Outback NSW under the tutelage of highly qualified and experienced personnel.
The intern will receive a written record and formal assessment of his/her participation in the program. The Station has linkages with NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, especially the Tibooburra Area and Sturt National Park and can assist a potential intern with other conservation management training in the region.
Prospective interns should in the first instance contact the Study Abroad office.
International students
A number of students, predominantly from German Universities, have conducted research towards their thesis for a Diploma at their home institution. Such research projects may be conducted on the Research Station under a 3 or 6-month Professional Practicum or short-term research project with the University.
The rules, fees and application form for the Professional Practicum are at UNSW International. The project must be compatible with the research objectives of the Station, the student must have adequate supervision while in residence on the Station and the student is expected to meet his/her own costs under the user-pays system operating for use of infrastructure (e.g. accommodation, telephone and internet access, vehicle hire, bench fees).
Thus prospective students should correspond with the Director about research opportunities, supervision, costs and sharing of intellectual property.
Practical training
Students may wish to gain informal practical training through participation as a volunteer assistant in ongoing research programs on the Station. Typically such placements will not exceed 6 weeks.
Volunteers will receive no income and will usually need to meet their own costs including accommodation and food unless the research program has specific funding to assist with these. Benefits to the volunteer include an exceptional learning experience in Outback NSW under the tutelage of highly qualified and experienced personnel, and a written record of his/her participation in the research program. Further information is available under Volunteering.
Contact the Director or complete and submit your expression of interest through the contact us form.
Guided tours
Expressions of interest should be made by:
- contacting the Director via phone: (08) 80913809 or email fowlersgap@unsw.edu.au
- submitting a request through the contact us form.
Information is typically limited to a short introduction to the history and function of the Station for groups of visitors staying on the premises.