On successful completion of this course, students will be expected to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of the geological history of coral reefs,
2. demonstrate an understanding of the processes and marine organisms associated with coral reef formation,
3. demonstrate an understanding and an appreciation of the complex ecology of coral reefs,
4. identify the common flora and fauna associated with coral reefs,
5. demonstrate an understanding of the dangerous marine organisms associated with coral reefs,
6. apply gained knowledge from the course towards small research projects and reports on various aspects of coral reefs,
7. develop an appreciation of the complexities of coral reefs and how mans activities influence these processes.

On successful completion of this course, students will also gain skills in:
1. determining the appropriate steps for OH&S issues for field studies such as this one on a coral reef island,
2. identifying the dangerous marine organisms associated with coral reefs,
3. carrying out appropriate preventative and / or first aid procedures regarding dangerous marine organisms associated with coral reefs,
4. the use of flora and fauna keys for the identification of coral reef organisms,

The course will be carried out over a three week period and will be divided into two parts:
Part 1 the lecture and information component lasting two weeks and will take place at the Ourimbah Campus and Part 2 the practical component lasting one week, and will take place at Hideaway Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

Part 1 (2 weeks at Ourimbah Campus):

- General background on coral reefs
- Reef building and non-reef building organisms
- Coral reef ecology
- General familiarization and identification of coral reef organisms
- Dangerous marine organisms & prevention and first aid

Part 2: (1 week at Hideaway Island):

The practical component of the course will be set up as contract-learning modules with both required and elective portions for the student to complete. The final practical grade will be based on the number of modules completed during the time allotted for the practical session.

- Hideaway Island orientation & familiarization
- Dangerous marine organisms
- OH&S issues for the stay on Hideaway
- Module Implementation for both mandatory and elective topics:
* Birds of the Great Barrier Reef
* Marine Mammals of the Great Barrier Reef
* Sea Turtles of the Great Barrier Reef
* Barrier Reef Island Plants
* The Exposed Reef Flat Ecosystem
* The Submerged Reef Flat Ecosystem
* The Shallow Sublittoral Ecosystem
* The Deep Sublittoral Ecosystm
* Invertebrates of The Great Barrier Reef
* Fish of the Great Barrier Reef
* Sharks and Rays of the Great Barrier Reef
* Reef-building Corals of the Great Barrier Reef
* Non-reef Building Corals of the Great Barrier Reef

This course will be replacing MARI2330 Marine Floral Ecology.

N/A

0

BIOL1040, BIOL1050 and MARI2300.

Internal Mode

Field Study
Lecture
Laboratory
Practical
Seminar

Field Study: for 72 hour(s) per Term for 2 weeks
Lecture: for 21 hour(s) per Term for 2 weeks
Laboratory: for 28 hour(s) per Term for 2 weeks
Seminar: for 7 hour(s) per Week for 1 weeks