Plants and Animals (623.6)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Academic Program Area - Science | Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Apply an understanding of ecological and evolutionary principles to interpret the diversity of life;
2. Identify the structure and function of organisms based on an understanding of the major taxa;
3. Access scientific journal articles of relevance and evaluate the quality of their methods;
4. Design and conduct a scientific research project as an effective member of a small group;
5. Collect, record, analyse and interpret biological data and communicate these interpretations in writing and orally and through web-based formats; and
6. Actively engage in a web-based social network to explore biological topics related to the unit and demonstrate their capacity for self-directed learning.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
Prerequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
Recommended Reading:
An e-book was developed for this unit using targeted material from the following textbook:
Urry, LA, Meyers, Cain, ML, Wasserman, SA, Minorsky, PV and Reece, JB (2018) Campbell Biology, 11th edn, Pearson
The e-book will be provided free of charge on the unit Canvas site. You may also purchase the e-book can be purchased online. Details will be provided in the unit Canvas site. There are copies of the complete text by Urry et al (2018) for loan from the library.
Other Useful Resources:
These following books/guides will be useful when we learn about plant identification. You may want to purchase them, particularly if you have a specific interest in plants. These texts can be purchased online and are available from the UC library. However, if you choose not to purchase them, copies will be available during the practicals.
Clarke, I. and Lee, H. (2003). Name that Flower - The Identification of Flowering Plants. 2nd edition. Melbourne University Press.
Cosgrove, M. (2014). Photographic Guide to Native Plants of the Australian Capital Territory. 1st edition. Meadow Argus.
Marger, S. and Burrows, G. (2011) Botanical Field Guide. 2nd edition. aracariaguides.com.
Submission of assessment items
Special assessment requirements
Final grades are allocated according to the aggregation of marks achieved in all assessment items. The final mark is out of a possible 100 marks. The details of the weighting of each assessment item are stated in Section 5a of the unit outline.
An aggregated mark of 50% is required to pass the unit.
Additionally, to pass this unit, a student must:
- Achieve a minimum average mark of 40% in the Practical Online Assessment and the Final Online Assessment.
- Participate in 80% (9 out of 12) of the practicals and 80% (7 out of 9) of the on-campus workshops.
- Attempt the Practical Report, the Plant Identification Key, the Practical Online Assessment and the Final Online Assessment.
The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
This unit has 48 contact hours during the semester, involving both face-to-face and online delivery (12 hours of lectures + 12 hours of workshops + 24 hours of practicals). It is expected that students will spend about 4 hours each week on self-directed study of the specified learning materials. The remaining 60 hours are allocated for working on the assessment items, including studying for the final assessments (practical and theory), completing the module online assessments, the practical report and the plant identification key.
Participation requirements
Participation in practical and workshop classes is a compulsory condition of this unit in order to attain the learning outcomes and in order to pass the unit. Attendance at all workshop and practical sessions will be recorded. In the event that you cannot attend your assigned practical or workshop class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, contact the Unit Convener as soon as possible to organise attending an alternative session if possible. Students must provide a medical or counsellors certificate or other relevant supporting documentation if they are absent from their practical or workshop class.
Required IT skills
Use of standard reporting and spreadsheet software, use of the Canvas interface via the internet, and access to University of Canberra email, are requirements for this Unit.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
Additional information
Unforeseen circumstances beyond the unit convener's control could result in changes to the mode of delivery of lectures, tutorials and practicals (where applicable) and assessments. Students will be advised if this occurs and appropriate alternatives will be arranged.
