Plant Biodiversity

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours

EITHER

One of

Plus one of

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Both of

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For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in practical class activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Terrestrial environments are dominated by a diversity of land plants, which define the structure of ecosystems and underpin terrestrial food webs. This subject introduces the major groups of land plants from liverworts to angiosperms and fungi, concentrating on their structure, biology, ecology, systematic relationships and evolution. It is relevant for students studying plant science and those focused on terrestrial environments and ecology. 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;
• major families of flowering plants, including Australian flora, their characteristics, biology and identification;
• major groups of fungi and their biology.

After completion of the lecture and practical components of this subject, students should appreciate:

• the variety and classification of land plants and fungi;
• the biology and ecology of major plant groups;
• skills in plant identification, especially Australian flora;
• use of modern identification tools including computer-interactive keys;
• the concepts of modern phylogenetics for framing evolutionary hypotheses within and between major plant groups.

Two 1-hour practical tests during semester, one mid-semester and one at the end of the semester (10% each); written reports on practical work due during the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• 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.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.