Skip to Main Content
Catalogue Link
<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/home" class="t-Header-logo-link"><span class="apex-logo-text">Handbook</span></a>
Hidden Page Items
New
8
New
HE Unit Template
New
Population and Community Ecology
New
SCENV2200 - Population and Community Ecology
New
20270200
New
New
New
New
Course
New
Unit
New
New
3.0
New
New
2026-09-10
New
2026-09-10
New
Science
New
New
New
New
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
New
Science
New
Undergraduate
New
15
New
New
.125
New
050900
New
Environmental Studies
New
050900 - Environmental Studies
New
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv2200">View unit fees</a>
New
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
New
6
New
Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
New
Intermediate
New
New
New
New
1
New
New
New
New
New
false
New
New
New
<p>Population and Community Ecology is a unit that develops students’ understanding of the factors shaping the structure, dynamics and diversity of populations and ecological communities. Students examine population structure, population growth and dynamics, methods for counting and estimating population size, community structure and diversity, species interactions including competition, predation and mutualism, and community dynamics such as disturbance and succession. The unit integrates ecological theory with practical investigation, enabling students to collect and analyse population and community data from plants, animals and other organisms. Practical exercises and an independent community ecology survey, provide authentic case studies to develop students’ ability to apply ecological knowledge to complex scenarios. </p>
New
New
<p>This unit provides a thorough exploration of the ecology of populations, their demography, the factors that shape their growth, and how this varies in space and time. The content then progresses to explore the interaction between populations, that is the ecology of communities, and the influence on the coexistence of species and how communities are structured.</p>
New
true
New
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
New
true
Hidden Page Items
Semester
Semester
0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
Breadcrumb Positioning
Handbook
SCENV2200 - Population and Community Ecology
Pseudo Breadcrumb
SCENV2200 - Population and Community Ecology
Breadcrumb Type
Unit
Catalogue Term and Year
Version Text
You are viewing a version for
Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
Download PDF
RDS Holder
Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>Population and Community Ecology is a unit that develops students’ understanding of the factors shaping the structure, dynamics and diversity of populations and ecological communities. Students examine population structure, population growth and dynamics, methods for counting and estimating population size, community structure and diversity, species interactions including competition, predation and mutualism, and community dynamics such as disturbance and succession. The unit integrates ecological theory with practical investigation, enabling students to collect and analyse population and community data from plants, animals and other organisms. Practical exercises and an independent community ecology survey, provide authentic case studies to develop students’ ability to apply ecological knowledge to complex scenarios. </p>
Unit content
<p>This unit provides a thorough exploration of the ecology of populations, their demography, the factors that shape their growth, and how this varies in space and time. The content then progresses to explore the interaction between populations, that is the ecology of communities, and the influence on the coexistence of species and how communities are structured.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
050900 - Environmental Studies
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv2200">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p> must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCENV1002" target="_blank">SCENV1002</a> OR must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCENV1001" target="_blank">SCENV1001</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
1
<p>Explain and apply ecological theories and principles to interpret patterns in population and community structure, dynamics, and species interactions.</p>
2
<p>Critically evaluate scientific literature and ecological data to analyse relationships influencing biodiversity, resilience, and community composition.</p>
3
<p>Design and conduct field and/or practical investigations to collect, manage, and analyse population and community ecology data using appropriate scientific methods.</p>
4
<p>Communicate ecological findings, analyses, and interpretations effectively to scientific audiences using accepted disciplinary conventions.</p>
5
<p>Select and implement suitable techniques for measuring populations and communities while addressing ecological integrity, sustainability, and ethical considerations.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Conduct instructed practical exercises to obtain information to explore fundamental concepts in population and community ecology </p>
<p>Practical worksheets</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
1, 3
2
<p>Design and complete independent community ecology field-based investigation to collect data and then analyse data and write up findings in scientific report format</p>
<p>Scientific report</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
3
<p>Demonstration and application of knowledge pertaining to population and community ecology</p>
<p>Oral interview</p>
<p>20-40%</p>
1, 2, 4
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
050900 - Environmental Studies
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv2200">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: SCENV2200 - U3.0