Plant Biodiversity (BOTA20002)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
FeesLook up fees

Terrestrial environments are dominated by a diversity of land plants, which define the structure of ecosystems and underpin terrestrial food webs. This subject introduces the major groups of land plants from liverworts to angiosperms and fungi, concentrating on their structure, biology, ecology, systematic relationships and evolution. It is relevant for students studying plant science and those focused on terrestrial environments and ecology. Topics covered include:

  • evolution, relationships and classification of land plants;
  • major groups of land plants, liverworts, mosses, ferns and seed plants; their structure, biology and fossil record;
  • major families of flowering plants, including Australian flora, their characteristics, biology and identification;
  • major groups of fungi and their biology.

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the lecture and practical components of this subject, students should appreciate:

  • the variety and classification of land plants and fungi;
  • the biology and ecology of major plant groups;
  • skills in plant identification, especially Australian flora;
  • use of modern identification tools including computer-interactive keys;
  • the concepts of modern phylogenetics for framing evolutionary hypotheses within and between major plant groups.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOL10002 Biomolecules and Cells
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BIOL10008 Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BIOL10009 Biology: Life's Machinery
Not available in 2025
 12.5

Pre 2021:

BIOL10004 - Biology of Cells and Organisms

AND

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOL10001 Biology of Australian Flora & Fauna
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BIOL10010 Foundational Biology: Life's Complexity
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
BIOL10011 Biology: Life's Complexity
Not available in 2025
 12.5
BIOM10002 Exploring Biomedicine
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Pre 2021:

BIOL10003 - Genes and Environment

BIOL10005 - Genetics and The Evolution of Life

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.

This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in practical class activities. 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: 20 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two 1-hour practical tests, one mid-semester and one at the end of the semester (10% each)

  • 2 hours
During the teaching period20%

Written reports on practical work

During the teaching period20%

A written examination

  • 3 hours
During the examination period60%

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorAndrew Drinnan
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 x one hour lectures per week, 1 x three hour practical class per week, 1 x one day field excursion
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    a.drinnan@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025