Ian McLean
Honours Research
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) graduate
Bachelor of Science (Honours) student
What are the effects of four-wheel-drives on beach habitats?
The answer to this topical question is one that Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) graduate and Bachelor of Science (Honours) student Ian McLean soon hopes to be able to answer.
"The title of my honours research is 'Do Assemblages of Macroinfauna on Sandy Shores Change in Response to Beach Traffic? A Temporal Assessment'," Ian says.
"Basically, what I am trying to assess is if four-wheel-drives have an impact on the organisms that reside in the areas on the beach where these vehicles frequent. This is a time-based study, which has never before been assessed in Australia."
Ian says he got an early introduction to research when USC Senior Lecturer in Marine Science Dr Thomas Schlacher asked him to join his marine research team.
"This involved being inducted into the research laboratory, which is a very unusual thing to happen to a second year undergraduate student," Ian says.
Ian, whose research experience has seen him become a Research Assistant at the University of Queensland, says he chose his USC degrees because he had always been fascinated by science.
"I have always been interested in science, and especially environmental issues, and I also have an appreciation for seeing how the planet works from the ground up," Ian says.
"USC was close to home and I heard it was a particularly good university for environmental studies.
"When I graduate I would like to continue with marine research, or possibly in an area concerning water issues."