bot3feb field
FIELD AND ENVIRONMENTAL BOTANY
BOT3FEB
2015
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
This subject explores advanced topics in plant community ecology, diversity and ecosystem function, and in the diversity and ecology of fungi in natural and managed ecosystems, particularly in relation to plant diseases and their control by disease resistance. The study of managed ecosystems includes plant domestication, and the ecology of agriculture in relation to disease epidemics. There is also a strong emphasis on experimental design, methods of data collection and statistical analysis. The subject includes two weekend field trips to study community ecology and fungal diversity.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorPeter Green
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites BIO2POS, and one of BOT2AES, BOT22AES or BOT2PDE.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Students are expected to attend three field trips, including one afternoon excursion and two weekends. Both weekend field trips are of 3 days duration (Friday pm to Monday pm). These field trips are an essential part of the subject and reports based on them account for a significant percentage of the final assessment. It is not possible to set alternative work.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Read, analyse and summarise available scientific literature on an assigned ecological topic
- Activities:
- Building on lecture content and using suggested readings, students complete a literature review assessment task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Writing(Writing)
02. Apply scientific method to biological questions through practical investigation and written report
- Activities:
- Practical investigations (field and lab) followed by written reports.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
03. Analyse and interpret complex ecological datasets using multivariate statistical analyses
- Activities:
- Statistical tests are explained in lectures and students analyse and interpret ecological data sets in laboratory-based practise classes. On a field trip, the entire class collaborates to collect floristic data which students write up individually in the form of a comprehensive report, using and building on their skills in multivariate data analysis.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
04. Incorporate relevant research findings from the scientific literature to support statements in the reporting of the field trip research
- Activities:
- Lectures use examples from the scientific literature and students are instructed on citations and referencing.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
05. Describe and explain the ecology of natural and managed ecosystems
- Activities:
- Students participate in field trips and complete reports based on their field trip activities
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
06. Describe, record and reflect on observations during field work
- Activities:
- Students record their observations in a field diary/note book, which forms the basis of the Otways report assessment task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPeter Green
Class requirements
PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
Two 4.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Field trips and laboratory classes equivalent to two 4-hour practical classes per week"
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Four 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal Ecology Lab Prac Reports | 15 | 02 | |
| Mt Hotham Field Trip Report | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Otways Field Trip Report | 10 | 02, 04, 06 | |
| Theory examination (one x 3-hour) | 55 | 03, 05 |