Course Title: Plant Diversity

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Plant Diversity

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BIOL2270	City Campus	Undergraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016
BIOL2270	City Campus	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023, Sem 2 2024
BIOL2344	Open Learning Australia	Non Award	171H School of Science	Distance / Correspondence	OUASP3UG19, OUASP3UG21, OUASP3UG22, OUASP3UG23

Course Coordinator: Dr Tien Huynh

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7124

Course Coordinator Email: t.huynh@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.1.68

Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study

It is recommended to have satisfactorily completed the following course/s before you commence this course:

• BIOL2547 Plant and Animal Biology (Course ID 055178)

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Course Description

This course introduces you to the identification, evolution, diversification and applications of plants. The aim of the course is to provide depth of knowledge in plants for future employment in agricultural, horticultural and environmental areas.  

You will study the various non-flowering plants (algae, mosses, liverworts, ferns, conifers) and the flowering plants (monocotyledons and dicotyledons). Structure and function are related to ecology and evolution. You learn about life cycles, structure, function and reasons for importance of these very different plants. You also learn how to identify the plants using the various keys and pictorial guides available. 

Whilst the topics will be arranged to suit seasonal availability of practical material, the course will cover the importance, terminology and structure, classification, reproduction and ecology of the groups in lectorials, practicals or field trips, as follows: algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, angiosperms (monocotyledons, dicotyledons). Learning material will focus on identification and applications of major plant groups.  

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s): 

BP350 - Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences Major)

PLO 1 Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts and practice in one or more scientific disciplines. 
PLO 2 Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence using methods, technical skills, tools and emerging technologies in a range of scientific activities.
PLO 3 Analyse and apply principles of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation to address real-world scientific challenges and inform evidence-based decision making.
PLO 5 Work independently, with agility, safety, and accountability for own learning and professional future. 
PLO 6 Collaborate and contribute within diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to diversity, equity and globally inclusive perspectives and practices including First Nations knowledges and input.

BP192P23 - Bachelor of Environmental Science

PLO 1 Apply an interdisciplinary knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts, and practices in the environmental sciences 
PLO 3 Apply principles of scientific inquiry, tools, and techniques relevant to environmental science to solve problems informed by evidence-based decision making.   
PLO 5 Work independently, with agility, safety, and accountability for your own learning and professional future. 

BH096ESDD - Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)

PLO 1.1 You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science by articulating the methods of science and explaining why current environmental knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry
PLO 1.2. You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science by explaining the role and relevance of environmental science in society
PLO 2.1. You will exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by demonstrating a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere or lithosphere, or depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology
PLO 2.2. You will be able to exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by demonstrating knowledge that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.
PLO 3.1. You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science through gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources
PLO 3.3 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments
PLO 3.4 You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data
PLO 4.1. You will be an effective communicator of environmental sciences by effectively communicating environmental results, information, or arguments using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences
PLO 5.1. You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by being an independent and self-directed learner
PLO 5.2. You will be accountable for your individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context

BH101 - Bachelor of Science (Dean's Scholar)(Honours) (Biology Major)

PLO 1 Understanding science
PLO 2 Scientific knowledge
PLO 3 Inquiry and Problem Solving
PLO 5 Personal and professional responsibility

BP229BISC - Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences)

PLO 1.1. You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of biological sciences by articulating the methods of science and explaining why current biological knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry.
PLO 2.1. You will exhibit depth and breadth of biological knowledge by demonstrating well-developed understanding of biological sciences.
PLO 3.1. You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biological sciences by gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources.
PLO 3.4. You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biological sciences by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
PLO 5.1. You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by being an independent and self-directed learner.
PLO 5.2. You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work by working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context.

BP229P7 - Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) (Biological Sciences Major)

PLO 1 Understanding science
PLO 2.1 You will have broad knowledge in your chosen discipline, with deep knowledge in its core concepts
PLO 3.1 You will be able to plan and carry out a research project under supervision, showing the development of some capacity for independent work
PLO 3.4 You will demonstrate well developed problem solving skills, applying your knowledge and using your ability to think analytically and creatively
PLO 5.1 You will develop a capacity for independent and self-directed work.
PLO 5.2 You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically.

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.  

At the end of this course, you should be able to:

1. Define characteristics, importance and applications of plants in agriculture, horticulture and environmental ecology
2. Demonstrate knowledge of taxonomy and classification to identify unknown plants to genus or species level
3. Recognise and identify relevant structures for vegetative growth and reproduction for the purposes of classification, identification and industrial applications

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, practicals, field trips, individual and group activities. Delivery is face to face and you are expected to be present in person.  

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course

Overview of Learning Resources

The prescribed text for this course is:

Judd WS, Campbell CS, Kellogg EA, Stevens PF and Donoghue (2016). Plant Systematics – A Phylogenetic Approach (current edition). Sinauer Associates Inc. Publishers, USA. ISBN: 987-1-60535-389-0

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1 - Non-flowering plants practical reports (written)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 2 - Non-flowering plants practical test
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 3 - Flowering plants practical reports (written and tests)
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 4 - Flowering plants infographic
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.