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
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
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)
Other Information
Field Trip: As an indication, the cost to students for the 3 days field trip will be about $170.The Biology Teaching and Learning Centre is located in Building 116. Alternatively you can email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
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)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
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.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3480 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4638 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8345 | 18 Jul 2016 | 29 Jul 2016 | 31 Aug 2016 | 28 Oct 2016 | In Person | N/A |
