ENV BIOL 2500 - Botany II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code ENV BIOL 2500 Course Botany II Coordinating Unit Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 5 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1401 or BIOLOGY 1001 Assessment Exam, practical reports & assignments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr John Conran
Benham 109Benham 109Name Role Building/Rm Email Dr John Conran Course coordinator Benham 109 john.conran@adelaide.edu.au Prof Bob Hill Lecturer Benham 107 bob.hill@adelaide.edu.au Dr Irene Martín-Forés Lecturer Davies Building Rm M07 (Waite Campus) irene.martin@adelaide.edu.au Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 The structure of terrestrial and aquatic plants 2 The developmental processes involved in growth of plants from seed to flowering 3 The main physiological and biochemical processes that sustain plant life, including the ability to absorb water and nutrients, carry out photosynthesis and respiration, and the role of plant hormones and signalling 4 Generic skills of scientific observation, data recording and be able to write a scientific report 5 The ability to use keys to identify the main groups of plants 6 The ability to interpret visual symptoms of nutrient deficiencies of plants
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
4-6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
4 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
There are no compulsory textbooks. Botany II builds upon material that was covered in Level 1 biology courses and therefore the textbook for these courses is a good source for the foundation material.Recommended Resources
For the physiology and biochemistry section, the following text is recommended, especially for students intending to take related follow-on courses such as Ecophysiology of Plants III or Terrestrial Ecology III.
- Taiz & Zeiger ‘Plant Physiology’ 5th Edition
A more general text covering most of the material in the course is:
- Raven, Evert & Eichhorn ‘Biology of Plants’ 7th Edition, (approximate cost: $100)
All students are expected to be familiar with the basic biochemical processes taught in Level 1 biology courses (e.g. Biology 1101, Molecules, Genes and Cells). The following chapters in the textbook ‘Biology’ Campbell, Reece and Meyers 8th Edn (or equivalent textbook) should be revised before coming to the relevant lectures:
- Ch 7, Membrane structure and function (in relation to nutrient uptake)
- Ch 9, Respiration;
- Ch 10, Photosynthesis;
- Chs 17 & 18 Gene expression and regulation.
It is recognised that some students will not have done the Level 1 course Biology 1 Organisms and some revision of the relevant material from that course will be provided. However, it is recommended that all students familiarise themselves with the following chapters from ‘Biology’ Campbell, Reece and Meyers 8th Edn (or equivalent textbook):
- Ch 26: Phylogeny
- Chs 29 & 30: Plant diversity
- Ch 35: Plant structure
- Chs 36 – 39: Plant physiology
Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Botany is a science that lends itself well to hands-on learning. The practical component is therefore of high importance. The course is structured so that the topics taught in lectures are reinforced by practical studies in the same or the following week. The practicals are grouped into modules and each of the practical modules has some assessment component, feedback is given within two weeks on how well the topic was understood.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
Learning Activities Summary
This course introduces the biology and evolution of plants through lectures including the core components:
1. General principles of plant biology relating to structure and function
2. Systematics,evolution and diversity
3. The physiology of growth and development
4. Floral biology
These general principles of plant biology may also be explored further through a range of case studies on topics such as plant nutrition, symbioses, responses to biotic and abiotic stress and photosynthesis.
Students will also learn to apply scientific approaches in practicals which will expose them to problem solving skills in the areas of plant structure, function and diversity. The aim is to give the students an insight and experience using approaches and techniques
to study plants and to encourage critical thinking on key issues relating to plants and their interactions with the environment.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Outcome being assessed/achieved Practical reports Formative/Summative 55% No 1,2,3,4,6 Tests (3 x 1 hour @15%, weeks 4, 9 and 13) Summative 45% No 1,2,3,6 Assessment Detail
Week Practical Assessment % 2 Land plant evolution Report/Quiz 10 5 Recognising and documenting plant structures Quiz 10 7 Plant ID Report/Quiz 15 11 Plant structure and function Quiz 15 12 Algae practical Quiz 5 Tests 3 x 1 hour @15%, weeks 4, 9 and 13 Short answer, essay and/or multiple choice 45 Submission
Data sheets and quizzes are to be handed up before you leave the lab.
Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
