Plant Biodiversity

Subject 606-202 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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

Lectures and practical classes.

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 total time commitment.
Prerequisites:

Biology of Cells and Organisms and Genetics and the Evolution of Life

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Plants and the Environment 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 Andrew Drinnan
Subject Overview:

This subject introduces the major groups of land plants from liverworts to angiosperms, concentrating on their structure, biology, 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.
Objectives:

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 potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Notes: Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

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