Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna

Subject 650-111 (2009)

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

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 lectures (three per week), 10 self-study activities and 6 one-hour tutorials.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours total time commitment.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Credit cannot be gained for this subject and 600-111 (before 2004).
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 participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Dr Kath Handasyde
Subject Overview: This subject will include the natural history of Australia from the Cretaceous to the present, and the influence of Australian Aborigines and Europeans; Australian environments, climatic zones, major biomes; terrestrial biota: diversity, endemism and biology of Australian plants, relictual rainforests, sclerophylly, adaptation to fire, diversity, endemism and biology of unique habitats, low nutrients and aridity; diversity, endemism and biology of vertebrate fauna including amphibians and marsupials; marine environments, algae, invertebrates, reefs, mangrove communities, inland waterbodies; and ecology, conservation, and management of Australian ecosystems.
Objectives:

By the end of this subject students should have

  • knowledge of the evolutionary history of the Australian biota, and the influence of past changes in geology, climate and soil;
  • an appreciation of the great diversity and genetic resources of the Australian biota;
  • knowledge of the structure and physiology of native plants and animals in relation to surviving in Australian environments;
  • an understanding of the impact of humans on Australian ecosystems and issues of conservation biology; and
  • skills to improve their self-study, analysis and evaluation of biological information.
Assessment:

Submission of two activities from the self-study program, each having a maximum of 1000 words due during the semester (25%); a 50-minute online multiple choice test held mid semester (15%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).

Prescribed Texts: R B Knox, P Y Ladiges, B K Evans and R Saint, Biology, An Australian Focus. 3rd edn, McGraw-Hill, 2004.
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
Generic Skills: This subject encompasses particular generic skills so that on completion of this subject students should have developed skills relating to:
  • the organization of work schedules which permit appropriate preparation time for tutorials, practical classes and examinations;
  • the use of electronic forms of communication and the discerning use of the web for seeking information;
  • accessing information from the library employing both electronic and traditional means;
  • working collaboratively with other students in tutorials and workshops;
  • self-study and analysis and evaluation of biological information; and
  • written communication.
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.

This subject is a joint botany and zoology subject.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Biology and Botany
First year biology

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