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Unit of Study MRNE3006 - Reefs (2023)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for ALL students (Online and On Campus) that will be held at the National Marine Science Centre. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables. This is an advanced capstone unit for the Marine Specialisation.

Unit description

Provides an overview of different reef types from the tropics to temperate waters, covering differences in community structure and function, responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances including climate change, and management approaches to protect biodiversity. Practicals will include in situ observation of subtropical reefs, and analysis of community patterns for key groups of reef biota.   

Unit content

1. Reef types and biodiversity

2. Coral reef origins and communities

3. Subtropical reefs

4. Temperate reefs

5. Natural and human disturbance to reef communities

6. Reef management and restoration

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
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:

demonstrate advanced understanding of the main types of reef and the biota associated with them

apply advanced field sampling techniques and data analysis tools to explain the complex biotic and abiotic processes structuring reef communities

critically evaluate how reef communities are affected by natural and anthropogenic disturbances

synthesize information to describe approaches for sustainable management of reef communities.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.