Laura Grogan, PhD

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Courses taught

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2020

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• 3308ENV Emerging Issues in Conservation (Trimester ​2, 2020, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course covers conceptual and applied topics relating to current concerns in the theory and practice of ecological conservation. Topics include the conservation of populations, species and communities and ecosystems as well as matters concerning decision-making, policy, planning and implementation. Students will be provided with the opportunity to delve deeply into a major conservation problem as well as to experience a broad range of perspectives regarding key emerging issues. Workshop sessions will also introduce major technical and communication approaches to addressing these issues.

  • My role in this course involves preparing and delivering a 3 hour studio workshop sessions on the topic of Disease in Conservation.​

• 3892ENV Environmental Capstone (Trimester 2, 2020, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course provides a range of activities that will further develop inquiry and problem-solving skills and put the professional responsibilities of environmental science students into practice. A range of authentic learning experiences will see students conduct investigations (open investigations, experiments, field assessments, application of theory) as individuals, occasionally working in small teams if necessary, in which data is collected, recorded and interpreted using appropriate discipline specific approaches. Conclusions will be drawn and questions for future investigation highlighted. Assessment will be by the combination of a high-quality written report and an oral defense of this report.

  • My role in this course involves supervising student research projects including assisting students with preparation of their proposal, project planning, subsequent analysis and write-up, plus marking.

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2019

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• 3892ENV Environmental Capstone (Trimester 2, 2019, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course provides a range of activities that will further develop inquiry and problem-solving skills and put the professional responsibilities of science students into practice. A range of authentic learning experiences will see students conduct investigations (open investigations, experiments, field assessments, application of theory) as individuals, occasionally working in small teams if necessary, in which data is collected, recorded and interpreted using appropriate discipline specific approaches. Conclusions will be drawn and questions for future investigation highlighted. Assessment will be by the combination of a high-quality written report and an oral defence of this report.

  • My role in this course involves supervising student field surveys during the week-long field trip (August, 2019) to Bowra station (Australian Wildlife Conservancy property near Cunnamulla), as well as assisting students with preparation of their proposal, project planning, subsequent analysis and write-up, plus marking.

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2018

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• 3892SCG Environmental Capstone (Trimester 2, 2018, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course provides a range of activities that will further develop inquiry and problem-solving skills and put the professional responsibilities of science students into practice. A range of authentic learning experiences will see students conduct investigations (open investigations, experiments, field assessments, application of theory) as individuals, occasionally working in small teams if necessary, in which data is collected, recorded and interpreted using appropriate discipline specific approaches. Conclusions will be drawn and questions for future investigation highlighted. Assessment will be by the combination of a high-quality written report and an oral defence of this report.

  • My role in this course involves supervising student field surveys during the week-long field trip (August, 2018) to Bowra station (Australian Wildlife Conservancy property near Cunnamulla), as well as assisting students with preparation of their proposal, project planning, subsequent analysis and write-up, plus marking.

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• 2291ENV Applied Data Science (Trimester 1, 2018, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - Environmental research typically involves the collection of data and subsequent statistical analysis. Good research which enables valid conclusions, requires consideration of experimental design and appropriate statistical analysis. This course presents the basic principles of experimental design together with a range of commonly used statistical methods. Through the completion of a project, students experience all aspects of the quantitative process from question definition and initial exploratory data analysis, through formal statistical inference, its interpretation in terms of an original research question, and the implications of underlying assumptions and resulting limitations. The use of commercial statistical software enables real experiences of data management and analysis.

  • My role in this course involved supervising student field surveys during the two overlapping field trips to North Stradbroke Island, ​6-8th March, 2018

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• 3308ENV Emerging Issues in Conservation (Trimester ​2, 2018, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course covers conceptual and applied topics relating to current concerns in the theory and practice of ecological conservation. Topics include the conservation of populations, species and communities and ecosystems as well as matters concerning decision-making, policy, planning and implementation. Students will be provided with the opportunity to delve deeply into a major conservation problem as well as to experience a broad range of perspectives regarding key emerging issues. Workshop sessions will also introduce major technical and communication approaches to addressing these issues.

  • My role in this course involved preparing and delivering 2 x 3 hour studio workshop sessions on the topic of Disease in Conservation.​

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2017

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• 3607ENV Vertebrate Biology (Trimester 1, 2017, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University) - Course Convenor. The Vertebrates include fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals (including humans). This course covers the biology of the Vertebrates - the evolution, structure and functional diversity of the major groups of vertebrates, with a particular focus on Australian terrestrial taxa. A broad understanding of vertebrate biology is fundamental to many applied disciplines including ecology, conservation biology and environmental management. This course includes theoretical, practical and applied components. Assessment is by assignment, presentation, practical notebook and end of semester examination. 

  • Student Evaluation of Course overall rating: 4.4/5 (5 point Likert scale)

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.7/5 (5 point Likert scale)

  • Student feedback: “Easily the most comprehensive and well organised course I have completed at Griffith”; “Engaging content and the most organised course I've ever taken”; “Love the videos & current examples”; “She gave an example of everything in a real life scenario, making it easier to remember”; “Laura is very engaging and encourages participation, and provides mini reviews as she teaches to help students retain the most important details”; “Very friendly and willing to help with any problems or things we didn't understand”

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• 2251ENV Animal Diversity (Trimester 2, 2017​, Nathan campus, Griffith University) - Course Convenor. This course introduces the structure and function of the principal groups within the animal kingdom from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. Students will develop practical skills in identification, the use of taxonomic keys and the collection and curation of animal specimens. ​

  • Student Evaluation of Course overall rating: 4.4/5 (5 point Likert scale)

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.5/5 (5 point Likert scale)

  • Student feedback: “2251ENV has been my favourite course so far”; “I have loved every aspect of this course so far!!!”; “Extremely interesting, was well taught and the labs were heaps of fun!”; “She was positive and enthusiastic with teaching (allowed students to feel comfortable asking the dumb questions)”; “Happy positive and used positive reinforcement techniques”

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• 2303ENV Zoology (Trimester 1, 2017, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University) - 2303ENV Zoology provides a comprehensive overview of the animals, organised in a phylogenetic manner. The course examines the diversity of the animals, their classification and evolutionary relationships, form, structure, function and interrelationships. Some emphasis is placed on groups that are terrestrial, the arthropods, and vertebrates.​​

  • My role in this course involved preparing and delivering lecture material for the Vertebrate series of lectures, as well as two lectures on Animal Behaviour (focusing on memory, learning and conditioning). ​

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.7/5 (5 point Likert scale)

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• 2204ENV Applied Statistics (Trimester 1, 2017, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course builds upon the skills obtained in the first year course, Statistics. It will extend the students' skills in experimental and analytical methods, both univariate (e.g. factorial ANOVA, multiple regression, linear mixed models, power analysis) and multivariate (MDS, cluster analysis), using the statistical package SPSS. Students will use advanced aspects of experimental design and analysis to explore data from environmental research, ecological studies, and pollution monitoring problems. Emphasis is placed upon development of students' abilities to recognise the suitability of an analytical technique for a given data set, the limitations of analyses and the effective use of computer techniques. A major activity for this course is the research report. Students using environmental data are required to choose suitable analysis techniques, interpret statistical analysis output, and prepare the results within a scientific report format. Assessment is by assignments, problem solving and application (SPSS) tests and an end of semester examination. 

  • My role in this course involved supervising student field surveys during the two overlapping field trips to North Stradbroke Island, ​8-10th March, 2017

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• 3992SCG Science Capstone (Trimester 2, 2017, Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, Griffith University) - This course provides a range of activities that will further develop inquiry and problem-solving skills and put the professional responsibilities of science students into practice. A range of authentic learning experiences will see students conduct investigations (open investigations, experiments, field assessments, application of theory) as individuals, occasionally working in small teams if necessary, in which data is collected, recorded and interpreted using appropriate discipline specific approaches. Conclusions will be drawn and questions for future investigation highlighted. Assessment will be by the combination of a high-quality written report and an oral defence of this report.

  • My role in this course involves supervising student field surveys during the week-long field trip (19-26 August, 2017) to Bowra station (Australian Wildlife Conservancy property near Cunnamulla), as well as assisting students with preparation of their proposal, project planning, subsequent analysis and write-up, plus marking.

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.4/5 (5 point Likert scale)

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2016

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• 3992SCG Science Capstone (Semester 2, 2016, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University); 3608ENV Wildlife Ecology Field Course (Semester 2, 2016, Nathan campus, Griffith University) - similar to the details for 3992SCG above.

  • My role in this course involved supervising student field surveys during the week-long field trip (25 Sept to 1 Oct, 2016) to Bowra station (Australian Wildlife Conservancy property near Cunnamulla). 

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.0/5 (5 point Likert scale)

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2015

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• 3331ENV Ecology and Conservation of Populations (Semester 1, 2015, Nathan campus, Griffith University) - The course provides an extended treatment of population ecology, behaviour and genetics, incorporating theoretical concepts, case studies emphasising the relevance to the conservation and management of natural and introduced populations. 

  • My role in this course involved preparing and delivering five lectures (predator-prey and host-parasite interactions), and marking student group presentations. 

  • Student Evaluation of Teaching overall rating: 4.5/5 (5 point Likert scale)

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