Wildlife Health and Population Management
Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management)
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
LG007 |
Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) |
|
LF022 |
Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) |
|
LC034 |
Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants to the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma without the following qualifications, but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Dean to be equivalent.
(3)
Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) requires a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(4)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
completion of the embedded graduate certificate in this stream, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(5)
Admission to the Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) requires:
(a)
a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science, with a credit average, from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or
(b)
a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; or
(c)
completion of the embedded graduate diploma in this stream, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the table for Wildlife Health and Population Management postgraduate courses. With the approval of the Dean and the program coordinator, candidates for the graduate diploma or master's degree, with special aims or interests, may be allowed to substitute up to 12 credit points with relevant postgraduate units from outside the table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) a candidate must complete 24 credit points, including:
(3)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) a candidate must complete 36 credit points, including:
(4)
To qualify for the Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) coursework pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
(5)
Subject to the availability of supervision and suitable projects, candidates with a credit average in 24 credit points of study from the degree may be admitted to the research pathway.
(6)
To qualify for the Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) research pathway a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:
7 Transitional provisions
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management), Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) and Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) are articulated award courses that provide a professional qualification to biologists and veterinarians working in private practice, industry, research and education. The award program brings together the disciplines of animal health and wildlife population management, developing and enhancing skills in conservation techniques for native fauna, diagnosis and management of wildlife health, and management of native and pest species populations.
Candidates will normally commence their study in Semester 1, except with the permission of the Dean.
Course outcomes
The aim of this articulated coursework program is to provide students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health and wildlife management, thus developing expertise to recognise and solve a broad range of problems in field populations. Upon completion of the graduate certificate, graduate diploma or Master's, graduates will have a broad understanding of the topic of wildlife management and practical skills developed from field studies. In addition, the Master's will provide experience in designing, carrying out and completing a research project and thesis.
Graduates of the Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health & Population Management) are eligible to apply for admission to a research degree (PhD).
Wildlife Health and Population Management postgraduate coursework degree table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
All Degrees: Core Units |
|||
| WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction |
6 | S1 Intensive |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | S1 Intensive |
|
Masters: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| NB: Students must successfully complete 24 credit points of units of study before they can enrol in WILD5009 | |||
| WILD5009 Research Project |
12 | P Credit average or greater in 24 credit points from the program including WILD5001 and WILD5002 Core for the Masters program |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Optional Units |
|||
| Graduate Certificate students must complete 12 credit points from the following | |||
| Graduate Diploma students must complete 24 credit points from the following | |||
| Masters students must complete 30 credit points from the following | |||
| WILD5003 Wildlife Health |
6 | S1 Late Int |
|
| WILD5004 Vertebrate Pest Management |
6 | S2 Intensive |
|
| WILD5005 In Situ Wildlife Management |
6 | S1 Late Int |
|
| WILD5006 Ex Situ Wildlife Management |
6 | S2 Late Int |
|
| ENVI5808 App Ecology for Environmental Scientists |
6 |
This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program |
Semester 2 |
| RESP5001 Integrated Research Practice |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Unit of study descriptions 2011
WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Crowther Session: S1 Intensive Classes: Intensively taught unit, the remainder of the unit will involve personal study and project activity. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%)
This unit of study provides an introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, an overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. Emphasis is placed on providing students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health and management, and on developing expertise in recognising and solving a broad range of problems in field populations. The unit integrates lectures, practical work and supervised study, and offers students the opportunity to work through real-world wildlife conservation problems relevant to their individual backgrounds.
WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Crowther Session: S1 Intensive Classes: Intensively taught unit. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%)
This unit of study provides a first-hand introduction to the wildlife of Australasia, a practical overview of the present status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both conservation problems and management solutions. Issues in wildlife management are exemplified using sampling and diagnostic methods on a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. The unit follows on from WILD5001 and provides practical experience via a five day field trip at the university farm "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW.
WILD5003 Wildlife Health
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Assoc Prof DN Phalen Session: S1 Late Int Classes: A full-time week on the Camden campus, with one day spent on a field trip to Taronga Zoo. Assessment: The assessment of this unit occurs both in the full-time week and in individual written assignments done in the student's own time. The full-time week contributes 40% of the total mark through a number of individual and syndicate tasks, with presentations to the group (40%). The remaining 60% comes from two written assignments of 3,000 words (20%) and 5,000 words (40%) respectively.
This unit of study provides an introduction to the health issues confronting wildlife in Australasia, an overview of the health status of that wildlife, and an understanding of both the investigation of health problems and the effective management of these. Issues in wildlife disease management are exemplified using a broad range of vertebrate species occupying different environments. Emphasis is placed on providing students with a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to wildlife health, and on developing expertise in recognising and solving a broad range of health problems in field populations. The unit is taught intensively in a full-time week on the Camden campus, with one day spent on a field trip to Taronga Zoo. The unit integrates lectures, practical work and supervised study, and offer students the opportunity to work through real-world wildlife conservation problems relevant to their individual backgrounds.
Textbooks
Unit of Study Handbook is the primary reference.
WILD5004 Vertebrate Pest Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Tony Buckmaster Session: S2 Intensive Classes: The Unit is taught in a full-time week at the university farm "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW. There are lectures, tutorials, and a variety of practical classes. Assessment: The assessment of this unit occurs both in the full-time week and in individual written assignments done in the student's own time. The full-time week contributes (40%) of the total mark through a number of individual and syndicate tasks, with presentations to the group. The remaining 60% comes from two written assignments of 3000 words (20%) and 5000 words (40%) respectively.
Vertebrate pests occur in many parts of the world, and can pose significant problems for management of habitat, agricultural productivity, human and wildlife health. This unit focuses on vertebrates that have been introduced to new environments, and considers in detail the impacts and management of pest vertebrates in Australia. Steps in pest management are reviewed, from problem analysis to acceptable levels of control, using case studies of cane toads, rabbits, house mice and red foxes. Traditional mortality methods of management are reviewed, and emphasis placed on developing methods based on fertility control. The Unit is taught in a full-time week at the university farm "Arthursleigh" near Marulan NSW. There are lectures, tutorials, and a variety of practical classes.
Textbooks
Unit of Study Handbook is the primary reference.
WILD5005 In Situ Wildlife Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: S1 Late Int Classes: Intensively taught unit. See the Wildlife Health and Population Management website for dates. Assessment: Assessments for each unit may include practical work, field studies, student presentations and written reports (100%)
Wildlife populations do not remain static, but change in size and composition over both time and space. The challenge for managers is to recognise when change in target populations exceeds acceptable limits and intervention is necessary. This unit of study develops skills in assessing population status and recognising differences between 'small populations' and 'declining populations'. It introduces methods used in population pattern analysis, demographic analysis, threat and resource assessment, and determination of health, emphasising the value of a coordinated and interdisciplinary approach to problem recognition and resolution. This course is taught at both the Royal National Park and the main campus of the University of Sydney.
WILD5006 Ex Situ Wildlife Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Derek Spielman Session: S2 Late Int Classes: The Unit is taught in a full-time week at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW. Assessment: The assessment of this unit occurs both in the full-time week and an individual written assignment done in the student's own time. The full-time week contributes 40% of the total mark through a number of individual and syndicate tasks, with presentations to the group (40%). The remaining 60% comes from a written assignment (60%).
Wildlife populations are under a variety of threats, most of which result from human activities. Modern conservation biology seeks practical solutions to these problems, using a wide variety of options. These options may include captive breeding and re-introduction programs, provided that a range of biological, ethical and politico-economic issues are addressed. This unit of study will provide students with the ability to evaluate the likely cost-effectiveness of such programs. It will also develop knowledge of the technologies available to capture and translocate wildlife, and of the planning required to ensure the best possible chance of success. The Unit is taught in a full-time week at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW. The unit integrates lectures, tutorials, practical work and supervised study, and offers students the opportunity to examine real-world problems in the conservation and management of threatened wildlife populations using case studies relevant to their individual backgrounds.
Textbooks
Unit of Study Handbook is the primary reference.
WILD5009 Research Project
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: meetings throughout semester to be arranged with supervisor. Prerequisites: Credit average or greater in 24 credit points from the program including WILD5001 and WILD5002 Assessment: independent research project (100%)
Note: Core for the Masters program
A valuable opportunity to apply some of the knowledge gained from earlier coursework, WILD5009 comprises a research project on a topic with significant emphasis on wildlife health and/or population management, as arranged between the student and an appropriate supervisor. This research experience is highly valued by prospective employers as it shows a willingness and ability to undertake guided but independent research. The project is not conducted by way of contact hours per week for a semester. Instead the student is expected to work on the project full-time and in a continuous manner for the semester. This unit of study is available only to students enrolled in the Master of Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management).
ENVI5808 App Ecology for Environmental Scientists
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Clare McArthur Session: Semester 2 Classes: Three 1 hour lectures per week. Assessment: Essays and presentations (100%)
Note: This is a compulsory unit for all levels of the postgraduate Applied Science (Environmental Science) program
This unit of study complements ENVI5705, and covers in depth the concerns of modern ecology pertaining to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. An understanding of the complex issues of invasive species, conservation of biodiversity and ecological management of the environment is provided.
RESP5001 Integrated Research Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof D Dragovich Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Assessment: Three 1000 word reports, oral presentation (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit will provide research training for students wishing to undertake research at a Masters or PhD level. Students will revise or develop the necessary skills for commencing a research degree, including critical reading, developing the thesis proposal, developing a research plan with timelines and benchmarks, critical writing, library search techniques, use of referencing systems like EndNote, working with a supervisor, and matters relating to intellectual property and authorship.