Flora of Victoria

Subject BOTA90005 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

February, 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


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 21 hours of lectures and 33 hours of practical work, including excursions full-time over two weeks: Monday 8th February to Thursday 18th February, 2010.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
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

Prof Pauline Ladiges

Contact

Email: p.ladiges@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: The course examines the diversity of the Victorian Flora, its early exploration by European botanists, the number of indigenous species and the increase in the number of exotics in our native bushland following settlement.

Natural biogeographic regions are studied in terms of their soils, climate, location and diversity of vegetation types. The biology of plants in wet forests, mallee and grasslands are examples considered in some depth, and an excursion to the Anglesea area introduces sclerophyll shrublands and dry forests in a coastal setting. Another excursion will be held in week two to Mt Macedon where we will study subalpine snow gum open forest. Staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens will introduce you to Victorian fungi, their biology, ecological role and how to identify some of them. The course concludes with a discussion of major conservation issues facing Victoria.
Objectives:

At the end of this course you will have achieved:

  • knowledge of the diversity, biology and management of the Victorian Flora
  • knowledge of the natural regions and evolutionary history of Victoria
  • skills in identifying vascular plants and angiosperm families
  • skills in identifying fungi
  • skills in observing and studying plant structure
  • skills in assessing vegetation in the field
  • skills to enable you to discover more about the flora yourself
Assessment: Written assignments of 1500 words total due during the subject (10%); written assignment of 3000 words due at the start of Semester 1 (25%); a 2-hour written examination in the summer semester examination period (65%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • This subject should provide you with knowledge of the diversity and biology of the Victorian Flora, especially the vascular, flowering plants. It is presented in the context of understanding the natural regions and evolutionary history of Victoria.
  • You should gain generic skills in identifying flowering plant families and genera by the use of identification tools, including both written keys and computer-based interactive keys.
  • You should develop your observation skills and knowledge of plant and fungi structures.
  • Through reports you should enhance your written presentation skills and abilities to interpret literature.
  • Through field excursions you should learn to observe and describe vegetation patterns, and develop skills to enable you to discover more about the flora yourself.
Links to further information: http://webraft.its.unimelb.edu.au/606207/pub/
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours)
Graduate Certificate in Landscape Architecture
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Conservation, Restoration and Landscape Management
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Sustainable Forests

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