BIOL6003 Australian Functional Plant Biodiversity

Offered By	Biology Teaching and Learning Centre
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Biology
Offered in	Second Semester, 2014
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	Course Description: This course takes an evolutionary genomic approach to the functional diversity of plants and fungi. It starts with practical skills in plant identification, culminating in a three-day trip to develop skills in the field. Cutting edge techniques will be used to explore structure and function of plants through the many levels of diversity: ecophysiological bases of adaptive differentiation along environmental gradients, geographic patterns among populations, and the critical step of speciation within genera, and within and among families. Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but will be assessed separately
Learning Outcomes	On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: Collect, preserve and identify herbarium specimens (LO1) Combine classical plant taxonomy with modern molecular phylogeny (LO2) Integrate concepts of plant evolution and speciation into an understanding of how organisms are classified in a molecular phylogenetic framework (LO3) Understand how molecular phylogenies can inform studies of evolution of plant form and function (LO4) Understand how functional diversity underpins adaptive differentiation of plant structure along environmental gradients (LO5) Understand how properties of biomes emerge from interactions between genotype, phenotype and environment (LO6)
Indicative Assessment	PG Assessment will be based on: • Plant collection and descriptions project (15%; LO 1, 2) • Four practical reports at 5% each (20%; LO 5,6) • Mid-term and final theory exams (45%; LO 3, 4, 5,6) • Literature research project and essay (20%; LO 3,4,5,6) UG Assessment will be based on: • Plant collection and descriptions project (15%; LO 1, 2) • Four practical reports at 10% each (40%; LO 5, 6) • Mid-term and final theory exams (45%; LO 3, 4, 5, 6)
Workload	Two lectures per week, nine practicals of three hours each and a field trip to Jervis Bay field station over one weekend.Non-contact: plant collection approx 30 hrs; practical reports 2 hrs each; essay 10-20 hrs.
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. and SpecialistSpecialist courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide for the acquisition of specialist skills; or 'second degree' and higher level of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs; or knowledge associated with professional accreditation.
Eligibility	Requires Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a major in the field of biological science with relevant experience or academic achievement. First year Biology, first year Genetics and first year Statistics are recommended. First year Chemistry is desirable.
Consent Required	Consent is required prior to enrolling in this course.
Academic Contact	Dr Marilyn Ball and marilyn.ball@anu.edu.au

The information published on the Study at ANU 2013 website applies to the 2013 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2012 website.