Leaves to Landscape

Subject EVSC20001 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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

On campus

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 60 hours
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 120 hours.
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Recommended Background Knowledge: 880-101 Natural Environments
Non Allowed Subjects: Nil
Core Participation Requirements:

Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Gerd Bossinger

Contact

Email: petera@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: 8344 5036

MSLE Student Centre

Email: msle-ugrad@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: 8344 0276

Subject Overview:

Why are leaves the most important things on the planet? This subject introduces students to the essential properties of leaves and plants and how these interact with landscape, climate, and production systems. While the subject deals with plant basics, it focuses on knowledge required for managing vegetation.

Topics include:

  • leaves and energy (leaves as the primary light harvesting organ that supplies energy for most living things)
  • leaves and water (roots, transpiration, responding to water stress and salinity)
  • leaves and canopies (plant architecture, canopies and acclimation/adaptation
  • what leaves produce (stems and bark)
  • diversity of plants (including those without leaves)
  • leaves and their interactions with other species, including humans.

Students taking 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms (BSc) as a Breadth subject will be exempt from this subject.
Objectives:

At the completion of this subjects students should:

  • have a knowledge of the basic processes of plant physiology
  • be familiar with the structure and function of plants
  • understand the mechanisms of plant reproduction, growth and development
  • have an overview of plant diversity and the place of plants in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems.

This subject is intended to provide students, who have not completed first year BSc biology, with sufficient biological background for subsequent subjects in the Landscape Management stream.
Assessment: Written work as practical and excursion reports totalling up to 15 pages due during the semester (30%); ongoing assessment of practical exercises and laboratory problems during the semester (25%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (45%).
Prescribed Texts: Raven, P.H., Evert, R.F. and Eichorn, S.E. (2005) Biology of plants. 7th edition. W.H. Freeman and Co. Publ. New York, USA. ISBN 0-7167-1007-2
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:

On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:

  • ability to observe and record information about the physical world
  • ability to interpret data
  • ability to prepare written reports.
Notes:

Students taking 650-141 Biology of Cells and Organisms (BSc) as a Breadth subject will be exempt from this subject.

This subject is intended to provide students, who have not completed first year BSc biology, with sufficient biological background for subsequent subjects in the Landscape Management stream.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Environmental Science
Landscape Management

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