Plant Biodiversity

Subject 606-202 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 lectures (two per week) and 36 hours practical work (one 3-hour practical class per week)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: Biology 650-141 and 650-142 (prior to 2004: 600-141 and 600-142).
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Botany 606-201 is recommended.
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Dr A Drinnan; Dr R Willis
Subject Overview:

This subject introduces the major groups of land plants from liverworts to angiosperms, concentrating on their structure, biology and systematic relationships and evolution. Topics covered include:

  • evolution, relationships and classification of land plants;

  • major groups of land plants, liverworts, mosses, ferns and seed plants; their structure, biology and fossil record; and

  • major families of flowering plants, including Australian flora, their characteristics and identification.

After completion of the lecture, practical and field components of this subject, students should appreciate:

  • the variety and classification of land plants;

  • skills in plant identification; use of modern identification tools including computer-interactive keys; and

  • the concepts of modern phylogenetic analysis as bases for framing evolutionary hypotheses within and between major plant groups.
Assessment: Two 1-hour practical tests during semester (10% each); written reports on practical work due during the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options: This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008.
This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future.
Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available.
2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Notes: Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

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