Key facts
UNE unit code: CANI310
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
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Are you interested in the role played by canids in the world’s diverse natural and urban environments? Do you want to know more about the ways dogs have evolved alongside human societies?
Tracing the natural history of wild dogs, this unit introduces you to current issues regarding wild dog ecology, population control and human interactions.
You will explore the ecology and evolution of wild canids. Using phylogeny and morphology, you will also examine the evolutionary origins of the domestic dog.
With a focus on best practice management for the control of wild dogs and dingoes in Australia, you will learn about the implementation and impacts of policies for control and conservation.
Field work opportunities put your knowledge of best practice to the test, providing you with first-hand, practical experience in modern techniques used to monitor wild dog activity.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | The Intensive School is mandatory for online students. Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
![profile photo of Brooke Kennedy](https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/image/0003/451227/varieties/69x77.jpg)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the ecology and evolution of wild canids globally and their interactions with human society;
- demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the phylogeny, behavioural ecology and conservation status of all extant members of the family Canidae;
- analyse and critically review available information on management policies regarding dog control and wild dog canid conservation, and the impacts of how these policies are implemented in practical situation;
- demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of comparative skull morphology in relation to canid ecology; and
- exercise critical thinking and judgement in discussing issues related to wild dog control and conservation and documenting in scientific format.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Website Review No. Words: 1700 |
Assignment 2 | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Report No. Words: 2000 |
Practical | Yes | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. | |
Quizzes | Yes | 30% | All offerings | |
Written Assessment | Yes | 20% | All offerings | (Debate) |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Dogs: Their Fossil Relatives and Evolutionary History
ISBN: 9780231135290
Wang, X. and Tedford, R.H., Columbia University Press 2010
Text refers to: All offerings
The Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids
ISBN: 9780198515562
Macdonald, D.W. and Sillero-Zubiri, C. (eds), Oxford University Press 2004
Text refers to: All offerings
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