Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

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.

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%).

R B Knox, P Y Ladiges, B K Evans and R Saint, Biology, An Australian Focus. 5th Ed, McGraw-Hill, 2014

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 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.

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.

This subject is a joint botany and zoology subject.