Food crises, invasive species, GMOs, loss of biodiversity, climate change - these are all hot topics in our society, and all of them are intrinsically linked to plants. Modern plant science holds unprecedented opportunities to link processes at the genetic molecular and physiological level to patterns at the landscape, crop or plantation level. This multidisciplinary course introduces you to the exciting breadth of contemporary plant sciences so you can develop a synthetic understanding of this rapidly changing field. We will demonstrate links between genetics, molecular biology, anatomy, physiology and ecology. You can expect to develop skills in a wide range of techniques important in contemporary plant science. You will apply your newly honed plant science skills to a detective problem - an intensive research project diagnosing consequences of specific genetic mutations to plant growth and physiology.
The course will also serve as basis for further study of plant biology in second semester (BIOL2122) and third year, including BIOL3125 Plants and Global Climate Change, and BIOL3177 Advances in Molecular Plant Science and BIOL3107 Advances in Medical and Plant Biochemistry.
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:
1. Understand, describe and critically evaluate the way plants function at a whole organism level - linking gene function with performance in nature
2. Develop, evaluate and apply a range of contemporary techniques in plant science through guided independent laboratory research: Plant Detectives
3. Analyse, interpret and evaluate results of independent research
4. Work collaboratively in a group to critically interpret results and present these findings orally
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
- Theory exam (50%; LO 1)
- Practical quizzes (10%; LO 1,2)
- Plant Detectives Project report -written in form of a scientific paper (30%; LO 2, 3)
- Group symposium presentation around lab project and participation in discussions (10%; LO 1, 4)
-
Participation during lectures. Assessed by active participation in lectures and answers to study questions (Participation mark: +/-5% of overall mark; LO 1-4)
Indicative assessment for HPO Option:
A written report or presentation will replace research project quizzes. Written (and/or) Oral report (10%), Final written report in form of a scientific paper (30%), Group presentation (10%), Theory exam (50%).
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
Three lectures each week for first 10 weeks, practical sessions weekly from week 5, some tutorials
Requisite and Incompatibility
Specialisations
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3096 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
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.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2515 | 16 Feb 2015 | 06 Mar 2015 | 31 Mar 2015 | 29 May 2015 | In Person | N/A |