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Overview

Reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems and impacts of humans and climate change through the use of Quaternary techniques, including assessing extinction causes, what the future holds for conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction.

About this paper

Paper title From Extinction to De-Extinction
Subject Zoology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,627.83
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Contact

zoology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff
  • Dr Nic Rawlence
  • Associate Professor Michael Knapp
  • Dr Pascale Lubbe
  • Associate Professor Cilla Wehi
Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

This paper will:

  1. critically assess the causes of extinctions of prehistoric ecosystems
  2. introduce students to the tools scientists use to reconstruct these ecosystems
  3. critically assess what scientists have discovered using these tools
  4. critically assess what the future holds in terms of conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction
Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Appreciation of global and interdisciplinary perspective; information and environmental literacy; lifelong learning; communication; teamwork; research; critical thinking; and scholarship.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  1. Formulate and answer questions about reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems, using Quaternary techniques such as radiocarbon dating, stable dietary isotopes, ancient DNA, molecular fossils, palaeontology, archaeology, traditional ecological knowledge, palynology and plant macrofossils
  2. Use recently developed freely available online tools (e.g. radiocarbon date calibration, DNA sequence analysis) that will be of use in their postgraduate research
  3. Critically evaluate (including interpretation and applying knowledge) research in Quaternary Science
  4. Engage in discussion with other people about Quaternary Science research
  5. Find relevant material from library databases
  6. Produce well-organised and well-written research reports
  7. Give effective scientific oral presentations and debates

Overview

Reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems and impacts of humans and climate change through the use of Quaternary techniques, including assessing extinction causes, what the future holds for conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction.

About this paper

Paper title From Extinction to De-Extinction
Subject Zoology
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Contact

zoology@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff
Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Course outline

This paper will:

  1. Critically assess the causes of extinctions of prehistoric ecosystems
  2. Introduce students to the tools scientists use to reconstruct these ecosystems
  3. Critically assess what scientists have discovered using these tools
  4. Critically assess what the future holds in terms of conservation, ecosystem restoration and de-extinction
Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Appreciation of global and interdisciplinary perspective; information and environmental literacy; lifelong learning; communication; teamwork; research; critical thinking; and scholarship.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  1. Formulate and answer questions about reconstructing prehistoric ecosystems, using Quaternary techniques such as radiocarbon dating, stable dietary isotopes, ancient DNA, molecular fossils, palaeontology, archaeology, traditional ecological knowledge, palynology and plant macrofossils
  2. Use recently developed freely available online tools (e.g., radiocarbon date calibration, DNA sequence analysis) that will be of use in their postgraduate research
  3. Critically evaluate (including interpretation and applying knowledge) research in Quaternary Science
  4. Engage in discussion with other people about Quaternary Science research
  5. Find relevant material from library databases
  6. Produce well-organised and well-written research reports
  7. Give effective scientific oral presentations and debates
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