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Unit of Study MRNE3008 - Marine Megafauna (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for ALL students (including Online students) that will be held at the National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information.

Unit description

Encompasses the advanced study of the biology and conservation of marine megafauna (e.g. marine mammals, turtles, sharks, crocodiles and rays). Students will study cutting-edge research on marine megafauna, and critically evaluate important case studies. Students will learn about management priorities vital for the continued conservation and recovery of globally threatened populations of marine megafauna.  

Unit content

  1. An overview of marine megafauna.
  2. Whales and dolphins.
  3. Seals and sea lions.
  4. Sharks and rays.
  5. Threats to marine mammals and effective conservation approaches.
  6. Threats to shark populations and effective management strategies.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
National Marine Science Centre Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
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:

describe the taxonomy, anatomy, biology and ecology of megafauna in marine systems

critically evaluate the main anthropogenic impacts to marine megafauna

develop complex management actions required for the protection marine megafauna in Australian waters

discuss the risks associated with human-megafauna interactions in marine systems, and how these can be mitigated.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
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Prescribed Resources/Equipment
  • Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.