Designing with Plants

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

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/

This subject explores the selection and use of designed vegetation in urban landscapes.

The content includes:

• an overview of planting design and plant selection;
• developing criteria for plant selection;
• using and analyzing sources of information for plant selection;
• developing criteria for plant selection;
• using and analyzing sources of information for plant selection;
• principles of 'sustainability' in designing vegetation;
• establishment and management considerations in designed vegetation;
• the study of aesthetic, functional and ecological outcomes from vegetation;
• recognition of representative plants and case studies of plant use and management in urban landscapes.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• describe a process for the outcomes from "sustainable" planting design, including definitions, theory, applications and practice;
• analyse the requirements for selection of plants in designed landscapes, including aesthetic, functional, ecological and management considerations and criteria;
• recognise, name and describe a selection of landscape plants;
• select appropriate plants for a range of designed landscapes, including streetscapes and traffic treatments, parklands, reserves and open space, residential landscapes, public gardens, institutional and specialised landscapes (roof gardens, therapeutic landscapes, etc.).

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music

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.

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• source, interpret and apply information from written and electronic sources to better understand planting design and plant selection;
• use scientific and technical literature to answer specific questions and aid problem-solving in plant selection;
• investigate and analyse issues pertaining to plant use, design and selection;
• use their developed written and verbal communication skills;
• manage workloads and use their time efficiently.