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Course Outline
BEES1041
Exploring the Natural World
2. Course information
Units of credit: 6
Pre-requisite(s): None
Online hours each week: ~2hrs of lectures and ~2hrs of computing exercises
Face-to-face hours each week: 2hrs of labs either Monday 15:00-17:00 or Tuesday 11:00-13:00
Labs will be ONLINE until COVID-19 restrictions allow campus access.
2.1 Course summary
BEES 1041 is a broad introduction to the scientific methods used to explore the natural world,
covering aspects of biology, ecology, geography, and geology. Each topic is described using case
studies taken from recent and active research projects in the School of Biological, Earth and
Environmental Sciences (BEES), demonstrating a wide range of technologies used for exploring the
natural world. The diverse research, presented by many different research teams, will highlight
potential future subjects, and the many career opportunities for graduates from BEES disciplines. The
course also contains a computing component, to introduce basic data analysis techniques, which are
common across all BEES disciplines.
2.2 Course aims
The aim of BEES 1041 is to introduce many of the skills common to the scientific methods used to
explore the natural world. These skills will be described in the context of recent and active research
projects as well as through computing exercises and hands-on lab experiences.
The computing exercises prepare students for BEES 2041 Data analysis for life and earth sciences,
while the diverse research topics presented provide background for many of the other courses offered
through the School of BEES.
2.3 Course learning outcomes (CLO)
At the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
CLO1 Demonstrate an understanding of experimental methods in the biological, earth and
environmental sciences.
CLO2 Apply knowledge of field methods to collect, process, analyse, and interpret biological, earth
and environmental data.
CLO3 Demonstrate the capacity to communicate results in written and visual forms that are
suitable for scientific reports.
CLO4 Identify how research can be applied to contemporary biological, earth and environmental
science issues, and how research skills can impact career pathways.
4
2.4 Relationship between course and program learning outcomes
and assessments
Course Learning Outcome
(CLO)
Program Learning Outcome
(PLO) Activities and Assessments
CLO1. Demonstrate an
understanding of experimental
methods in the biological, earth
and environmental sciences.
• Knowledge
• Personalised, self-guided,
flipped classroom and
blended, learning skills
• Practical skills
• Lectures, Labs, Computing
• Quiz, New technologies
report, Final exam
CLO2. Apply knowledge of field
methods to collect, process,
analyse, and interpret biological,
earth and environmental data.
• Knowledge
• Critical thinking and problem
solving
• Team/group work
• Personalised, self-guided,
flipped classroom and
blended, learning skills
• Practical skills
• Labs, Computing
• Quiz, Final exam
CLO3. Demonstrate the capacity
to communicate results in written
and visual forms that are
suitable for scientific reports.
• Knowledge
• Critical thinking and problem
solving
• Personalised, self-guided,
flipped classroom and
blended, learning skills
• Written communication
• Practical skills
• Computing
• Communicating results
report, Final exam
CLO4. Identify how research can
be applied to contemporary
biological, earth and
environmental science issues,
and how research skills can
impact career pathways.
• Knowledge
• Critical thinking and problem
solving
• Written communication
• Lectures, Labs
• New technologies report,
Communicating results
report, Final exam
5
3. Strategies and approaches to learning
3.1 Learning and teaching activities
Online lectures: Lectures are pre-recorded and available online for viewing at a time of your
choosing. Each lecture will also include some written material and quiz questions. They will be
delivered by a wide range of BEES academic staff and cover a wide variety of topics, grouped into
four modules. All lecture topics will investigate the following three questions as common themes:
1. How is data on the natural world collected?
2. What skills are needed to work with this data?
3. What jobs are available to people with these skills?
Online computing exercises: Computing exercises will be available online and can be completed at
any time each week. They are designed to take around 2 hours each, though students more
experienced in computing may complete them quicker. The exercises will use a variety of websites,
and some software that you will need to install on your own computers. Online help will be delivered
through a Moodle forum, and occasional online question and answer sessions.
Laboratory classes: These were planned as face-to-face classes in a teaching laboratory in building
E26. Due to COVID-19 restrictions they will be online. The labs will be delivered by a variety of BEES
academic staff and cover a wide variety of topics. Activities will include making measurements,
observing experiments, and problem solving.
Field work: Short field trips to Sydney locations were planned for the week 2 and week 5 laboratory
classes. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions these have been changed to other activities.
3.2 Expectations of students
Announcements: Announcements will be made online via the course Moodle page. It is the
responsibility of students to ensure they are aware of and read all announcements.
Assistance: General enquiries should be directed to the Science Student Centre Nucleus
Student Hub on Level 2 of the Library Building (Ph: 9385 6125) or lodge an online
enquiry via unsw.to/webforms with your zID. BEES course and program enquiries
should be directed to Faye Mo ([email protected]). Queries regarding BEES
1041 should be directed to Adrian Fisher ([email protected]) or the staff
member delivering the content in question.
Attendance: Lectures are recorded, and students are strongly recommended to listen to these
in a timely manner. Students must complete all online material related to the
computing exercises and laboratory classes and participate in online sessions
when required to. Students who miss a significant amount of course material, or
miss an assessment task, due to ill health or other issues are advised to contact
Adrian Fisher ([email protected]) as soon as possible and provide
certified documentation.
Online Needs: As many activities will be run online, students need access to a personal computer
or laptop, and reliable access to the internet. Students should ensure that their
device has a working microphone and while a camera is not essential, it is highly
recommended.
6
Workload: The normal workload expectations at UNSW (https://student.unsw.edu.au/uoc).
are approximately 25 hours per term for each unit of credit. This included class
lectures, labs, computing exercises, fieldtrips, and time spent on assessments.
Illness: You can apply for Special Consideration when illness or circumstances that are
beyond your control, or are unexpected, interfere severely with your academic
performance. More information on Special Consideration can be found at:
https://student.unsw.edu.au/special-consideration
Exam Period: The University expects that all students (domestic and international) be present
and available for the entire duration of the UNSW end of trimester examination
period (26 Nov-9 Dec). Bear this in mind when making end of trimester work or
travel plans.
Evaluation: Student evaluative feedback on the course is gathered every year through UNSW
MyExperience (https://student.unsw.edu.au/myexperience), which is available
through your MyUNSW account and on the Course Moodle page towards the end
of the trimester. MyExperience allows you to provide feedback on both the course
itself and the teaching provided in the course. Student feedback is taken seriously
and will influence course improvements.
4. Course schedule and structure
The lectures and laboratory exercises are organised in four main modules, each 2 weeks long. Most
lectures will be recorded in short sections (10-20 minutes). The four modules cover different
disciplines in the School of BEES:
Habitat restoration
Research projects endeavouring to restore habitats and monitor landscapes
that have been degraded. Examples will include arid zone and marine
habitats.
Climate change
impacts on biota
Research investigating climate change impacts on biota, and ongoing efforts
to build resilience. Examples will include impacts on marine organisms and
impacts on plants.
Earth history
This module will focus on the long-term history of the Earth and its relevance
to environmental change and sustainability. Examples will include how
knowledge of fossils, and fire history can guide conservation.
Evolution and
behaviour
The evolution of animals and their behaviour will be examined in this module.
Examples will include how understanding the evolution of animals can help
with conservation, and how trust evolved in humans.
The following staff will deliver the lectures and laboratories as outlined in the timetable below.
AF - Adrian Fisher MK - Mike Kasumovic RusB - Russell Bonduriansky
AM - Angela Moles MMP - Mariana Mayer Pinto RW - Rebecca West
AV - Adriana Verges MMR - Miriam Munoz-Rojas SI - Shane Ingrey
CT - Chris Turney MO - Mark Ooi SB - Stephen Bonser
HH - Heather Haines MVK - Martin Van Kranendonk SM - Scott Mooney
KM - Katherine Moseby RK - Richard Kingsford TO - Terry Ord
LP - Laura Parker RobB - Rob Brooks WC - Will Cornwell
MA - Mike Archer RP - Recce Pedler
7
Module Week
Starting
date
Lecture topics Lab activity
Computer
exercise
Assessments
1 Mon
13 Sep
Introduction to BEES1041 (AF)
Quantitative skills, mapping, and coding (AF)
How to measure trees
(AF)
Accessing and
managing data,
and intro to R
Habitat
restoration
2 Mon
20 Sep
Monitoring desert ecosystems (AF, MMR)
Restoring Wild Deserts (RK, RP, KM, RW)
Tree measurement
discussion (AF)
Exploring data
and the Goulburn
drought
3 Mon
27 Sep
Living Seawalls (MMP)
Operation Posidonia (AV)
Marine measurements
(MMP)
Linear models
and vegetation
structure
Quiz
Climate
change
impacts on
biota
4 Tues
5 Oct
Ocean acidification, warming and oysters (LP)
Topicalization (LP or AV)
Computing help (AF) Introduction to
QGIS
5 Mon
11 Oct
Adaptation and migration in plants (AM, SB, MO)
Citizen Science and conservation (WC, MO)
Indigenous Sydney
(SI)
Intro to python
and spatial data
New technology
report due
6 Mon
18 Oct
Flexibility week
Earth
history
7 Mon
25 Oct
Deep time and planetary history (MVK)
Using fossils for conservation (MA)
Tree rings (HH) Tree heights and
lidar
8 Mon
1 Nov
Ice ages, carbon dating and tree rings (CT)
Were the 2019-2020 fires unprecedented? (SM)
Palaeoclimate (HH) Help with
Communicating
Results Report
Communicating
results report
due
Evolution
and
behaviour
9 Mon
8 Nov
Animal behaviour for ecology and conservation (TO)
Evolutionary principles and their application in medicine (RusB)
Human evolution and
demography (RusB)
Elevation models
10 Mon
15 Nov
Evolution, learning, and intelligence (RobB)
Using videogames to explore human competition (MK)
Using videogames to
explore trust (MK)
Cross sections
Fri
26 Nov
Exam period (Fri 26 Nov – Thurs 9 Dec)
Exam
8
4.2 Computer exercises
The computer exercises will focus on building the following quantitative skills for data analysis that are
relevant across all the modules:
Collecting data
Methods of sampling the natural world, including
using new technologies, and accessing existing data.
Managing data
Digitising, tidying, and manipulating data, including
integrating digital technologies with field work.
Visualising data
Simple graphics, plots, and mapping, including
visualising spatial data.
Analysing data
Summarising data, linear models, and investigating
patterns.
Communicating results
Skills for report writing, focusing on the showing
results using visual graphics.
