Academic Qualifications

Current Studies - 2005–

Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Science

Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

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Hooded Parrot Project

I am undertaking a project that explores the breeding and behavioural ecology of hooded parrots (Psephotus dissimilis) with an initial emphasis on exploring the relationship between the parrots and a moth that lays its eggs in the parrot’s nest

Supervisors: Professor Andrew Cockburn (ANU); Professor Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University); Dr Penny Olsen (ANU); Dr Rob Heinsohn (ANU)

Non-credit courses undertaken during PhD program:

  • Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences—an intensive statistics course for biologists and ecologists

  • Mixed Models, Repeated Measures and Correlated Data—statistics course

  • Introduction to Generalized Linear Models—statistics course

  • Multivariate Analysis and Classification—statistics course

  • Remote First Aid Course incorporating the Senior First Aid qualification

  • Endnote A and Endnote B—Introduction to the bibliographic management software

  • Managing Your Thesis in Word—4 part course

  • Selecting Subject Databases

  • Search Strategies & Analysis

  • Foundations of University Teaching and Learning—FUToL is a course to help graduate students prepare for the teaching component of an academic career.

  • Graduate Teaching Program—The GTP is a semester program of teaching support and development for Post Doctoral Fellows and PhD student tutors and demonstrators at the ANU.  During this time I have also demonstrated in the first year Human Biology 1008 course and undertaken some marking for this subject.

Honours - 2004

Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation & Heritage) (Honours)

Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia.

I conducted a project investigating the importance of mistletoe as a nest site. At my study site in Holbrook, NSW, I conducted experiments to understand predation rates, microclimate differences and bird preferences for mistletoe as a nest site versus other parts of the tree canopy.

I was awarded Honours Class 1, with an overall mark of 89%

I was awarded a $5000 Johnstone Centre Scholarship for my undergraduate academic achievement.

I was awarded a $2000 Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award to help complete the project

Supervisors: Dr David M Watson and Dr Gary Luck.

Papers arising from this research:

  • Cooney, S.J.N., Watson, D.M., and Young, J. (In review). Mistletoe as a nest site for Australian birds—A synthesis. Emu.

  • Cooney, S.J.N. and Watson, D.M. (In review). Diamond Firetails (Stagonopleura guttata) preferentially nest in mistletoe in a eucalypt woodland. Emu.

Oral papers arising from this research

  • Why do birds nest in Mistletoe? An experimental investigation.  Presented at Ecological Society of Australia Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, December 2004

Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) - 1997–2003

Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation & Heritage) (with Distinction)

Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia.

  

I have excelled in my studies and have graduated with Distinction with a grade point average of 6.5, out of a possible 7, by far the highest in my graduating year. I won the following awards for my undergraduate studies:

  • The Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in each of my six years of study

  • The Dr Robert Ballantyne Australian Entomological Supplies Prize for 2001

  • The Norske Skog Paper Mills Prize for Vegetation Management

  • I was nominated for the DA Johnstone Perpetual Award for the most outstanding student in my graduating class.

Subjects attempted and grade awarded:
 

  • People & Parks—Social Science Dimensions

Distinction

  • Recreation & Communication Leadership

High Distinction

  • Natural Resource Management

Distinction

  • Biomaths

Distinction

  • Concepts of Biology

Distinction

  • Resource Mapping

Distinction

  • Vegetation Ecology (Major)

High Distinction

  • Cultural Resource Management

Distinction

  • Wildlife Ecology (Major)

High Distinction

  • Interpretive Planning

High Distinction

  • Introduction to Landscape Processes

High Distinction

  • Principles of Ecology

Distinction

  • Evolutionary Ecology (Minor)

Distinction

  • Fire Ecology and Management

High Distinction

  • Animal Systematics (Minor)

High Distinction

  • Outdoor Recreation Management

Distinction

  • Wildlife Management (Major)

High Distinction

  • Protected Area Planning and Evaluation

High Distinction

  • Vegetation Management (Major)

High Distinction

  • Principles of Aboriginal Land Management

Distinction

  • Catchment Management

High Distinction

  • Avian Biology (Minor)

Distinction

  • Evolution, Taxonomy & Biogeography of Birds (Minor)

High Distinction

  • Behaviour, Ecology & Conservation of Birds (Minor)

Distinction

  • Ornithological Methods (Minor)

High Distinction

  • Park Practicum

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