Wildlife Health and Population Management
Master of Science in 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 |
|---|---|
|
LG034 |
Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Health and Population Management |
|
LF050 |
Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Health and Population Management |
|
LC062 |
Master of Science in 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 Wildlife Health and Population Management requires a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.
(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.
(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 Wildlife Health and Population Management a candidate must complete 24 credit points, including:
(3)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Health and Population Management a candidate must complete 36 credit points, including:
(4)
To qualify for the Master of Science in 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.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Health and Population Management, Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Health and Population Management and Master of Science in 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 Science in Wildlife Health & Population Management are eligible to apply for admission to a research degree (PhD).
Units of study 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 | Int March |
|
| WILD5002 Australasian Wildlife: Field Studies |
6 | Int March |
|
Masters Coursework Pathway: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
Masters Research Pathway: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| Students must complete 24 credit points of units of study with a credit average 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 |
Elective Units |
|||
| Graduate Certificate students must complete 12 credit points from the following units. | |||
| Graduate Diploma students must complete 24 credit points from the following units. | |||
| Masters (Coursework pathway) students must complete 30 credit points from the following units. | |||
| Masters (Research pathway) students must complete 24 credit points from the following units. | |||
| Students may take 12 credit points of suitable units from other programs (e.g. Environmental Science) with the permission of the course coordinator | |||
| WILD5003 Wildlife Health |
6 | Int March |
|
| WILD5004 Vertebrate Pest Management |
6 | Int August |
|
| WILD5005 In Situ Wildlife Management |
6 | Int May |
|
| WILD5006 Ex Situ Wildlife Management |
6 | Int October |
|
| ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Unit of study descriptions 2013
WILD5001 Australasian Wildlife: Introduction
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mathew Crowther Session: Int March 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 Mathew Crowther Session: Int March 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: Int March Classes: 4 days on the Camden campus, one day on the Sydney Campus. Late April/early May 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 group project ending in a presentation to the class. The remaining (60%) comes from a written assignment of 5,000 due 4 weeks after the end of class.
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 (4 days) and the Sydney Campus (1day). 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
There are no set textbooks for this unit of study.
WILD5004 Vertebrate Pest Management
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Tony Buckmaster Session: Int August 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: Int May 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: Int October Classes: The Unit is taught in a full-time week during Semester 2 at Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW. Assessment: The assessment of this unit occurs both in the full-time week and in an individual written assignment done in the students' own time. The full-time week contributes (40%) of the total mark through a group presentation on the status in the wild and in captivity of a species in the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The remaining (60%) comes from a written assignment of 5,000 words on a successful species survival plan that involves a significant ex situ component.
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 provides students with the tools to evaluate the likely cost-effectiveness of such programs. It also develops 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 site visits and offers students the opportunity to examine real problems in the conservation and management of threatened wildlife populations using relevant case studies.
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).
ENVI5904 Methods in Applied Ecology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Ross Coleman Session: Semester 2 Classes: One three hour lecture per week for 8 weeks. Assessment: Tutorials, oral presentations and written reports (100%)
No assessment of potential environmental impacts is possible without relevant information about the ecological consequences. This unit is for those without a quantitative ecology background, to explain the need to quantify and what are relevant measures. Describing and understanding uncertainty will be explained in the context of precautionary principles. Issues about measuring biodiversity and the spatial and temporal problems of ecological systems will be introduced. Field experience will also be available (up to two of six hour sessions) subject to weather, tides and available staffing; please note that these sessions are voluntary.
RESP5001 Integrated Environmental Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof D Dragovich Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Four 4-hour lectures and two 4-hour laboratory classes per semester Assessment: One research proposal, One literature review and one oral presentation (100%)
This unit will provide an opportunity for students to synthesize and draw conclusions from their coursework experience and learning, and to enable them to revise and/or develop the necessary skills for engaging with environmental research as part of their intellectual and/or professional growth. The unit focuses on skills in cross-disciplinary problem identification and the use of integrated analysis to address environmental challenges. Other skills include critical reading and critical writing, undertaking a literature review, understanding how research is conducted and published, library search techniques, use of referencing systems like EndNote, and matters relating to intellectual property and authorship.