Biological Systems Analysis

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will examine the biophysical, biological and ecological processes in agricultural production, with an emphasis on plants and plant communities.

Case studies will be used as a framework for students to identify the major factors operating in agricultural systems, and their interrelationships. In each case study, lectures and tutorials will assist students to systematically build a conceptual model of how the system functions, identify key variables and response functions, and find data from literature to parameterise the variables and functions. Appropriate process-based models will be used to explore the behaviour of the system in response to changes in environment and ­management.

The subject should help students develop an understanding of the major driving factors and variables in biological systems, determine future research requirements and identify where management changes will have the greatest impact.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• recognise the complexity of a biological system and how components of biological systems interact at different levels;

• display an understanding of how models can be used to analyse biological factors and variables, and their interactions;

• identify research or management priorities from an understanding of ­biological systems; and

• formulate simple process-based conceptual models at different hierarchical levels.

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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