Overview

Goals

• To conduct research which contributes to the understanding and improved management of plant and animal species, communities and ecosystems, with particular reference to the impact of human activity;
• To provide professional postgraduate and continuing education in biological resource science and management, especially management of vegetation, wildlife, parks and rangelands;
• To provide consultancy services to both government and non-government agencies involved in biological resource management; and
• To promote the dissemination of information on environmental management issues among the general community and to encourage informed debate on these issues.

Academic Staff

Academic Staff have a range of skills and backgrounds which is uncommon within most other university departments. Formal training covers zoology, botany, genetics, molecular biology, agriculture, resource management, geography, law, policy studies, mathematics and biometry. The group also brings together a unique blend of personal skills and experience in experimental and field research, contract work, statistical and numerical analysis, policy development, government liaison and resource survey and management.

Research

Our research is broadly based, within the bounds of applied ecology. However we have particular strengths in vertebrate pest control, conservation biology, wildlife genetics, environmental chemistry, habitat assessment, and environmental planning and law. Research emphasis of the program can be best obtained by perusing staff interests, our publications and our grant income

Postgraduate Studies

Opportunities for postgraduate research are provided at honours, masters and PhD levels. Almost all of our research and related activities are conducted with external support. Both staff and postgraduate students benefit from engaging in highly relevant research with adequate budgets while at the same time forging important links with potential granting agencies and employers. International students make up a small but significant component of the postgraduate student body. A limited number scholarships are available for both domestic and international students.

Graduate Employment

Graduates of the postgraduate program are gaining relevant employment. Of those we were able to contact in a recent survey, five were full-time lecturers (Charles Sturt, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Massey and University of Botswana), five had obtained research positions with CSIRO/Landcare Research NZ, NSW Agriculture or one of the parks services, ten had obtained positions as scientific managers in the parks services or planning authorities, eight had continued their studies at doctoral or postdoctoral level, six occupied technical officer positions, two continued existing positions held when they started their degrees, and one worked for AIDAB co-ordinating field projects in Laos. Further details can be obtained by perusing the alumni pages.

Funding Base

The Group is well resourced largely as a result of securing substantial ongoing research infrastructure funding through DETYA's Infrastructure Block Grants and similar schemes. This is in addition to project funding from a large variety of sources. Facilities developed using these funds include a vehicle fleet, field equipment, camping equipment, computer facilities and laboratory equipment. An ecology laboratory and an environmental chemistry laboratory provide many opportunities for project work.

Links to Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate degree program leading to postgraduate study in applied ecology was first offered by the School of Resource and Environmental and Heritage Sciences in 1969, and is one of the longest-standing environmental science degrees on offer in Australia. Its strengths include the interdisciplinary curriculum, emphasis on field studies and its overall applied nature and relevance to contemporary problems. The relevance and effectiveness of the degree programme is ensured by regular re-accreditations by advisory panels drawing members from major employer bodies.