Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Australian Biota

• Unit Code

  SCI2118

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Robert Allyn DAVIS

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Description

This unit will introduce students to the nature and diversity of Australian plants and animals, their taxonomy and identification. Participants will study major vascular plant and vertebrate animal groups and be able to identify them using appropriate tools. The Australian biota will be considered in the context of the world biota, and their unique features will be discussed in terms of their biogeography and evolutionary history. Note that laboratory sessions in this unit will make use of animal tissues and products. Activities abide by the relevant NHMRC guidelines and are approved by the ECU Animal Ethics Committee where appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Explain and apply the basic principles of biological taxonomy.
2. Identify and describe major events influencing the evolution and distributions of key elements of the Australian biota, including isolation, adaptive radiation and secondary colonisation.
3. Identify the ecological and economic importance of selected Australian biota and identify threats to them.
4. Prepare herbarium and other selected types of biological specimens.
5. Recognise and characterise the morphology of significant groups of Australian plants and animals.
6. Use appropriate tools to identify plants and animals, including regional floras and faunas, field guides and digital resources.

Unit Content

1. Australian native mammals: prototherian and metatherian mammals, native eutherians (rodents, bats and marine animals).
2. Human impacts on the biota: consequences of Indigenous and European colonisation; introduction of alien species; interaction between native and introduced taxa.
3. Introduction to biological taxonomy.
4. Origins, diversity and distribution of major groups of non-mammalian vertebrates: fishes, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
5. Plant morphology: features required for plant identification.
6. Plants of selected significant biomes and geographical areas: heathlands, eucalypt woodlands and forests, salt-lake communities; the Pilbara and other arid regions, South-West Floristic Region, seagrasses and other significant aquatic plants.
7. Recognition and identification of major elements of the Australian flora: Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae, Myrtaceae, Proteaceae, significant monocots, and other selected taxa.
8. Recognition and identification of weeds and feral animals.
9. Structure and use of taxonomic keys: hardcopy and digital floras and faunas, resources relevant to Australian biota.
10. The history of the Australian continent: Rodinia, Pangaea, Gondwana and its break-up; post-Cretaceous era.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, fieldwork, online activities and directed reading.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

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