Ecology is the study of the relationship between plants and animals and their physical and biological environments. It plays a vital role in conservation and natural resource management, as well as climatological, human and urban interactions in today’s changing world. This course is ideal for those working in horticulture, agriculture, conservation or environmental management or those involved in the education or research areas of this science.
The Certificate of Ecology is an online program that will teach you about how plants and animals are affected by each other and their environment, and the impacts animals and plants have on the environments they inhabit.
In this professional development course, you will explore the components of ecosystems and how they interact, and the Theory of Evolution, including the elements of science that influence the theory.
You will also study the ecological features of mountains, rivers, deserts, coral seas and shallow water regions, and the ecological implications of human activities on the environment.
On completion of this course, you will have a better understanding of the life processes of plants and animals and how they relate to and impact natural environments.
Course Structure
Introduction to Ecology
Unit 1 – Ecosystems and populations
- Ecology
- Types of ecology:
- Behavioural ecology,
- Population ecology,
- Community and ecosystem ecology
- Biomes
- Ecosystems (energy and nutrients)
- The food web
- Populations: diversity, habitat, niche, and growth rates
- Interactions in the community: competition and predation
- Co-evolution
- Succession and climax communities
Unit 2 – The Development of life
- Average lifespan
- Evolutionary considerations on lifespan
- Theories on the limits of lifespan
- Evolution: what evolution means
- Evidence of organic evolution
- The anatomical and physiological argument
- The paleontological argument
- The embryological argument
- Steps in organic evolution
- Multicellular organisms
- The evolution of sex
- The origin of vertebrates: the emergence of man
- Factors in organic evolution
- Germ cells and variations
- Natural selection
- Population genetics
- The synthetic theory
- Speciation
- Genetic drift
- Trans-specific evolution
- Present day evolutionary debate
- Human evolution and evolutionary patterns
Unit 3 – Animals, parasites and endangered species
- Animals in the ecosystem
- Animals in the human community
- Animals
- Phylum and classes of the animal kingdom
- Summary of phyla: the parazoa, the mesozoa, the radiata, phylum coelenterata and phylum ctenophora
- The acoelomate bilateria
- The pseudocoelomates
- Eucoelomates (the tentaculata)
- Eucoelomates (the trochozoa): phylum annelida, phylum sipuncula, phylum mollusca, phylum arthropoda
- Eucoelomates (the Deuterostomia)
- Parasites: human parasites and parasitic plants
- Endangered species: the causes of extinction and efforts for preservation
- Case study (threatened animal species in Queensland, Australia
Unit 4 – Fungi, tundra, rainforests and marshlands
- Fungi: introduction
- Types of fungi
- The structure of fungi
- The reproduction of fungi
- The physiology of fungus
- Poisoning by fungi
- The ecology of fungus
- The uses of fungi
- The classification of fungi
- Tundra: introduction, the climate and land formation, plant life on the tundra
- Rainforests: the ecology
- The vegetation
- Creatures of the rainforest
- The canopy
- The under-storey
- Clearing the rainforest
- Marshland: introduction, freshwater marshes and saltwater marshes
Unit 5 – Mountains, rivers and deserts
- Mountains
- The formation of mountains
- The importance of mountains, volcanoes and erosion
- Rivers
- The formation of rivers, dams (ponds)
- River catchments and urban catchments
- Cleaning up stormwater
- Reducing pollutants
- Sedimentation
- Nutrients
- Other toxicants
- Damming of rivers
- Deserts: wind systems and land formation
- Plant adaptations to the desert
- Animal adaptations to the desert
- Human impacts on deserts and the spreading deserts
Unit 6 – Shallow Waters
- Estuaries
- Major natural processes occurring in coastal environments
- Rocky shores: threats and what individuals can do
- Sandy shores: threats
- Types of coral reefs
- Origin of coral reefs
- Composition of coral reefs
Unit 7 – Ecological problems
- The greenhouse effect
- Global warming
- Climate change and growing awareness
- International efforts to combat climate change
- The actual and potential effects
- Global temperature rise
- Sea level rise and impacts on weather systems
- Greenhouse gases (GHG)
- Ozone: the ozone layer
- The causes and effects of ozone depletion
- Poisons in the home
- Poisons on the farm (pesticides)
- Environmental and health impacts of pesticides
- Waste materials
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Horticulture, wildlife and environmental management
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