
The UNSW Advanced Field Biology (BIOS3601) course offers advanced practical training in diversity, systematics and biology. It also looks at the identification of terrestrial animals and plants and aquatic invertebrates. The course is run principally as an intensive one-week course at Smiths Lake Field Station during week zero, followed by planned classes in the term.
You'll receive theoretical and in-field, practical training in current methods of trapping, collecting and identifying animals and plants. This includes the estimation of population size, biodiversity, the conduct of animal surveys, and data analyses. The course covers both vertebrate and invertebrate animals and plants.
There are five broad learning outcomes expected from this course:
Term Offering: Term 1
Course Attendance: In Person
Level: Undergraduate - Third Year
Discipline: Biology
Course code: BIOS3601
Students will need to complete 48UoC (Units of Credit) before enrolling in BIOS3601. 48UoC is a pre-requisite for BIOS3601 from 2021. It’s recommended that students have taken a course in statistics and experimental design such as Data Analysis for Life & Earth Sciences (BEES2041) and have familiarity with principles of systematics.
It’s recommended that students should have taken one or more of the second-year organismal biology courses: Flowering Plants (BIOS2051), Biology of Invertebrates (BIOS2031) or Vertebrate Zoology (BIOS2061).
This course is available to students in Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), with unfilled places available to students in Environmental Science, Biological Science and Ecology Majors with a credit average.
“I really enjoyed AFB. The course was comprehensive covering both terrestrial and aquatic survey methods involving plants and animals. I found the practical field survey experience and report writing useful, transferring to other third year courses, honours and employment as a botanist. I highly recommend AFB as a fun, collaborative and essential course laying a foundation in a career as a field biologist.”
Neil Ross - Bachelor of Environmental Management
For more information, please contact Professor Mike Letnic.
T: +61 2 9385 2079