Marine Botany

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

An enrolment quota of 30 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/course-planning-and-advice

Intensive field trip based subject held at the Victorian Marine Science Consortium Laboratory in Queenscliff.

Students need to arrange their own accommodation in Queenscliff and transportation to and from field sites for the duration of the course (indicated as Teaching Period). The LMS subject pages are a forum for students to make arrangements to share accommodation and cars.
The final exam is in on the Parkville campus on the date indicated as "Assessment Period End". Other than a (non-mandatory) review session, there are no activities between the teaching period and the final exam.

Students must be physically capable of undertaking outdoor field work and walk on rough terrain (rocky coast).

Estimated total time commitment: 170 hours

25 points of first year level biology subjects plus 50 points of second year level biological sciences subjects or equivalent.

None

None

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 work, laboratory work and fieldwork 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/

(An enrolment quota of 30 students applies to this subject)

This subject will introduce students to the biology of marine and estuarine plants (seaweeds, seagrasses and phytoplankton). Fieldwork focuses on the identification, diversity and ecology of Australia's unique marine flora. Topics to be covered include:

• biodiversity and evolution
• structure, life history and classification
• distribution and ecology
• human impacts and commercial uses
• gain, spread and loss of photosynthesis in protists
• role of phytoplankton in the marine environment

At the completion of the subject, students should have developed an understanding of:

• the biology, diversity and evolution of Australian marine plants and protists
• the unique nature of the Australian seaweed flora
• the role of algae in marine ecosystems
• practical skills in identifying common seaweeds and marine protists
• practical skills in processing, preserving and culturing marine plants and plankton
• the diverse cell biology of marine protists
• current themes in algal research

• One 20-minute mid-subject progression test, taken mid-way through the teaching period (5%);
• One 15-minute group research project presentation due on the last day of class (15%);
• Collection and preservation of 6 to 10 seaweed specimen throughout the teaching period (10%);
• One 2-hour laboratory examination, taken at the end of the teaching period (30%); and
• One 2-hour written examination, taken at the end of the teaching period (40%)

None

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.

Upon completion of this subject, students should be capable of:

• Independent critical thought and rational enquiry
• Reading and interpreting technical literature
• Working as a team to perform scientific tasks

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.