wem2ffa flora
FLORA AND FAUNA OF AUSTRALIA
WEM2FFA
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject introduces students to the Australian environment and its biota. The principles of biogeography and phylogenetic reconstruction, the continent's history as part of Gondwana, and the topography and climate of Australia (and New Guinea) are reviewed. These topics provide the framework for examining the evolution and ecology of selected plant and animal groups that contribute significantly to the past or present biota, and to review the distribution and history of the continent's biological communities, along with its fire history, and human impacts. The subject provides students with a framework for the consideration of conservation and land management issues and promotes the development of skills in hypothesis generation and testing as well as written and verbal communication skills.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPeter Pridmore
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
PrerequisitesN/A
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects WEM2TAE, WEM2EPA, WEM2EGE, WEM2EPB
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Locate and critically review published literature on a group of plants or animals.
- Activities:
- ne hour Library tutorial on locating resources. Students present a preliminary bibliography, and write an essay on a chosen group of plants and animals. The first submission is marked by a supervisor and students respond to shortcomings identified to prepare a revised version of this essay.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Writing(Writing)
02. Prepare and present a short talk on the group of plants or animals that were the subject of their essay.
- Activities:
- Present a first version of the talk to two staff members who provide feedback on content and presentation and then present a more polished second version of the talk to the entire class.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
03. Present a first version of the talk to two staff members who provide feedback on content and presentation and then present a more polished second version of the talk to the entire class.
- Activities:
- Examine geological and biological specimens in practical classes and answer questions abpout them that require the advsancement of hypotheses and tests for these hypotheses.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
04. Explain and apply the principles of biogeography and phylogenetic inference, of the geological and environmental history of Australia, and especially of the evolution and characteristics of the plants, animals and communities of Australia.
- Activities:
- Lectures demonstrate the applications of the principles of biogeography and phylogenetic inference and review the geological and environmental history of Australia. This is supported by analyses undertaken in practicals.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Albury-Wodonga, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPeter Pridmore
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 31 - 31
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 31 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 13 - 13
One 3.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 13 to week 13 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10 minute talk ('seminar') | 5 | 02, 04 | |
| End of semester short answer and essay exam.(3 hours) | 50 | 04 | |
| Practical questions short answer weeks 1-11. | 20 | 03, 04 | |
| Review essay. 2000 words, 1st submission (15%) mid semester and 2nd submission end of semester (10%) | 25 | 01, 03, 04 |