Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna (BIOL10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce you to the natural history of Australia from the Cretaceous to the present and the influence of Australia's First Peoples and Europeans on Australia’s environments. You will be observing, recording, and reflecting on the diversity of the natural world. You will explore the major biomes and climatic zones that have existed across the continent in the past and the influence of climate change on their present and future distributions. We will look at the incredible diversity of Australian flora, including the iconic Eucalyptus, and their adaptations for survival in the face of drought and fire. We will consider the biological challenges, adaptations and evolutionary journeys that have led to our current faunal diversity, including Australia's familiar and our more elusive animal inhabitants - from kangaroos to velvet worms. This subject includes Australia's marine and freshwater ecosystems and their diversity, from the coral reefs to the inland rivers. We consider their biological, economic and social value. Throughout, we will discuss our conservation successes and failures and how we protect our precious flora and fauna for the future. This subject includes self-guided field trips within the bounds of the Melbourne metropolitan region.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of this subject students should be able to:
- comprehend the evolutionary history of the Australian biota, and the influence of past changes in geology, climate and soil;
- relate the structure and physiology of native plants and animals to their survival in Australian environments;
- demonstrate an emerging ability to identify and record observations of flora and fauna in the field;
- recognise the inherent and practical value of the diversity of the Australian biota;
- demonstrate an understanding of how humans have shaped Australian ecosystems; and
- explain approaches to the conservation of Australia's flora and fauna.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:
- ability to clearly communicate knowledge of Australia's diverse flora and fauna and the environments in which they are found;
- capacity to apply knowledge of flora and fauna to observations in the field and the interpretation and analysis of biological information;
- demonstrated information literacy through the gathering, evaluation, and appropriate use of written resources;
- ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with other students in tutorials and in online fora; and
- demonstrated effective teamwork and safe practices in planning and undertaking a self-guided field trip in an urban setting.
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Students must participate in self-guided field trips in Melbourne for this subject. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Submission of four online activities from the self-study program
| Every 3 weeks during the teaching period | 20% |
Completion of two online quizzes associated with two self-guided field activities (2 x 3-hour field trips)
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 25% |
Completion of regular submissions (minimum of 6 submitted approximately fortnightly) into a natural history journal including peer review
| Every 2 weeks during the teaching period | 10% |
End of semester written open book exam incorporating submission of a meta-reflection based on natural history journal
| During the examination period | 45% |
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinators Lisa Godinho and Mike Bayly Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours: 36 hours of lectures (3 hrs per week), 6 one-hour tutorials (1 hr per fortnight), and 2 three-hour self-guided field trips. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
Students are also expected to complete online self-study activities
Last updated: 14 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Landscape Ecosystem Management Breadth Track Marine Life Breadth Track Ecology Breadth Track Australian flora Breadth Track Australian Wildlife - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 14 March 2025