CQUniversity Unit Profile
BOTN19001 Terrestrial Botany
Terrestrial Botany
All details in this unit profile for BOTN19001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 24-02-17

Please note:

The correct date for residential school is

27th April to 30th April 2017

General Information

Overview

In BOTN19001, you will learn about terrestrial plants – particularly, Australian plants. You will study their evolution, taxonomy, distribution and economic uses. In this Unit, emphasis will be placed on plant identification so you can apply this knowledge in vegetation surveys, ecosystem restoration, remote sensing, assessing responses of native flora to environmental impacts and selecting suitable plant species for economic development. Compulsory practical classes, field visits and herbarium collection will enable you to gain practical skills in plant identification and vegetation surveys.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: BIOL11099 Living Systems OR BIOL11100 Functional Biology

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2017

Distance
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 15%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 45%
3. Examination
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from HAVE YOUR SAY

Feedback

Show students how to find the plants

Recommendation

A new video will be produced to explain where and how to find suitable plants for the plant collection assignment

Action

A new video was produced to show students the places to go to collect plant specimens - woodlands, creek side, road side, forests, sand dunes, salt flats, etc.

Feedback from HAVE YOUR SAY

Feedback

Most liked aspects of the course include: Field trip, residential school, resources provided for the unit, learning hands-on skills in plant identification, knowing more about native plants, allowing students to develop an interest in native plants. "The specimen collection assignment was fun and taught me skills that I will possibly use in the future." "This course will change your life, it will make you look at your surroundings totally differently and the lecturer has a lot of knowledge and is very approachable".

Recommendation

Residential school and field trip activities will be continued and they will be made more interactive. Students' appreciation of the lecturer is noted and thank you for these compliments.

Action

The field trips and activities on plant collection and identification will be continued

Feedback from HAVE YOUR SAY

Feedback

Residential schools to be scheduled much early in the Term and the students be supplied with a hard copy of the plant identification key

Recommendation

The residential school has been moved to middle of the Term. It is not practical to move it any earlier, as this would inconvenience many students. The possibility of mailing the students with a hard copy of the plant key is being explored.

Action

Residential school can only be offered during middle of the Term. I have recommended to the School to provide a hard copy of plant ID key

Feedback from HAVE YOUR SAY

Feedback

The videos opened automatically making operation of the Moodle site difficult

Recommendation

All videos will be run through Echo 360 to improve downloading speed.

Action

The videos have been uploaded via Echo 360. This should prevent them from opening automatically

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Define selected botanical terms
  2. Collect and curate specimens and use taxonomic keys to identify native plants
  3. Examine characteristic features of terrestrial Australian flora, and describe the use of those features in vegetation management and their economic exploitation
  4. Describe how native flora respond to environmental disturbances, and explain how this knowledge can be applied in revegetation and ecosystem reconstruction
  5. Undertake vegetation surveys, interpret data and explain the use of GIS and remote sensing techniques in vegetation management.

N/A

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 45%
3 - Examination - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 15%
2 - Practical Assessment - 45%
3 - Examination - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Plant Systematics

Edition: Second (2010)
Authors: Michael G. Simpson
Elsevier Academic Press
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 978-0-12-374380-0
Binding: Hardcover

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Lucid software 3.3 (download from www.lucidcentral.org)
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Nanjappa Ashwath Unit Coordinator
n.ashwath@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Introduction

Unit Overview

Evolution & diversity of plants

Morphology

Chapter

Study Guide 1

Read Text Book Chapters 1, 6, 9 (also peruse Text Book Chapters 3, 4, 5).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Independent Practical Work (IPW) 1*

Familiarise with herbarium techniques, site description and plant community description.

Use Student Forum on the Moodle site to clarify doubts and to find new information.

Refer to Youtube videos "Herbarium Techniques" (watch all 10 parts);

https://tinyurl.com/herbarium-techniques

Collect and curate at least one plant specimen during this week. Ask your lecturers for assistance, if required.

(*Independent Practical Work to be undertaken by the students during each week of the Term.The scheduled official PRACTICAL SESSIONS will be held during residential school).

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Collection and curating

Nomenclature

Identification & authentication

Herbarium maintenance

Chapter

Study Guide 2

Read Text Book Chapters 17, 16, 12, 18, Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Online Quiz 1

IPW 2

Examine the morphology of a simple plant like hibiscus. Identify various parts and draw a floral diagram.

Collect and curate plant specimens.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Diversity and classification

Taxonomic evidence

History of plant taxonomy.

Chapter

Study Guide 3

Read Text Book Chapters 2, 7 and 14

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Online Quiz 2

IPW 3

Use a magnifying lens to draw floral diagrams of two small flowers (avoid grasses at this time.

Collect and curate plant specimens.

Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2017

Module/Topic

Plant families and their spotting characteristics

Synoptic keys

Chapter

Study Guide 4

Read Text Book Chapters 7, 8, 15 and the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Online Quiz 3

IPW 4

Prepare a table showing characteristic features of selected families

Collect and curate plant specimens

Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Soils, climate and plants.

Chapter

Study Guide 5

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Familiarise with the soil types and their influence on plant growth, and the composition and structure of plant communities (serpentine, limestone, sand dunes, rainforests, mangroves).

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Online Quiz 4

IPW 5

Collect and curate plant specimens.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Work on your plant specimen collection assignment

Chapter

Prepare for your residential school.

Please use the Term break to collect and curate most of the plant specimens required for your assignment.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 5a

Try to complete the COLLECTION part of your assignment during this break.

Collect and curate plant specimens.

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Australian plant communities: origin, evolution and unique features.

Chapter

Study Guide 6

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Examine how Australian flora has changed over time in response to continental drift, Circum Antarctic Current, and human inhabitance.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Complete Online Quiz 5

IPW 6

Complete drawing floral diagrams - for most of the specimens you have collected.

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2017

Module/Topic

Field trip

Chapter

Study Guide 7

Study the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

On day 3 of the residential school, we will visit selected plant communities that are found around Rockhampton.

Read about unique features of the following plant communities, viz., brigalow, serpentine flora, limestone flora, woodlands, coastal heaths, rain forests, grasslands, wetlands and mangroves.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 7

Practical test (plant identification) during residential school

Residential school: 24 April - 27 April 2017.

Query why the composition and structure of plant communities found around Rockhampton are different to those present at other locations.

Handing in of note book.

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2017

Module/Topic

Vegetation survey

Chapter

Study Guide 8

Understand various methods of surveying plants and classifying vegetation into regional ecosystems (RE's) and land zones.

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 8

Collect and curate plant specimens.

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2017

Module/Topic

Data analysis and display- basic and modern methods of data analysis and presentation

Chapter

Study Guide 9

Text Book Chapters 2, 19 and Appendix 4

Comparison of different plant communities.

Preparation of dendrograms and PCA plots to show interrelationships between different species or communities.

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 9

Finalise your plant specimens.

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2017

Module/Topic

Economic uses of plants- plant species, and plant parts used in daily life.

Bush food and medicines.Bush food and medicinal plants.

Techniques used in the development of new cultivars.

Chapter

Study Guide 10

Text Book Chapters 13 and 14

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 10

Ensure that you have collected, curated and identified required number of specimens. Inspect the specimens and make sure that they are clean and intact (if not, replace the damaged ones with good specimens).

Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2017

Module/Topic

Environmental effects on plants.

Identification of stress tolerant plants

Chapter

Study Guide 11

Understand responses of plants to environmental and edaphic stresses (fluoride, sulphur, acid rain, drought, salinity, waterlogging and heavy metals) and the impacts of global warming on Australian plants.

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 11

Finalise your plant specimens (check for quality, labeling, floral diagrams and keying)

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2017

Module/Topic

Ecosystem reconstruction- principles of matching plants to site conditions to achieve long term sustainability.

Chapter

Study Guide 12

Examine the strategies and the importance of using native plants in mine site revegetation and restoration programs.

Read the Resources supplied on the Moodle site for this week.

Events and Submissions/Topic

IPW 12

Despatch your plant samples for assessment.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Read ALL parts of the STUDY GUIDE and the and the Resources supplied on the Moodle site.

Try to answer the questions listed at the end.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Refer to past EXAMINATION PAPERS and note the presence of three types of questions,

Viz 'Essay Type', 'Short Answers' and 'Differentiate Between'.

Consult your lecturers and seek assistance, if required.

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2017

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Although the Term starts on the 6th of March, students are encouraged to start collecting plant specimens prior to commencement of the Term. This is because most plants in CQ flower during rainy season (Jan-March) and hence your chances of collecting good specimens will be very high during this season.

Please use the information provided in the YOUTUBE ("HERBARIUM TECHNIQUES" ; https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLycGQqmgiJ9qQn64D9hTDlyan1VaTWDLw&disable_polymer=true or the Moodle site) to prepare yourself for a plant collection trip.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
On line botanical terms and concepts quiz

Task Description

Please attempt online quizzes in week 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. These quizzes will help familiarize with various botanical terms used in the Unit.


Number of Quizzes

5


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Please complete the quiz by Sunday midnight of the scheduled week, as the quiz may not be accessed after this date.


Return Date to Students

Quiz results will be available to the students one week after the expiry of each quiz.


Weighting
15%

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Assessment Criteria

Choose a correct answer (s) from multiple choice. A correct answer will score one mark.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Complete these tests online by choosing the right answers. The quizzes (only one per week) will appear in week 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. You will have to score a minimum of 40% from all 5 quizzes.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Define selected botanical terms


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

This assessment has three components. They are:

1. Collecting, curating (mounting, labeling), drawing floral diagrams and identification (keying) of 20 specimens obtained by the students on their own (25 marks).

2. Identification of 5 plant specimens that are supplied by the lecturer during residential school in one of the practical sessions (in-class test) (15 marks).

3. Submission of a practical note book containing observations recorded, data analysed and the notes taken during practical sessions and field trips (5 marks).

Both Rockhampton and Flex students must attend residential school to satisfactorily complete this course.


Assessment Due Date

Plant specimens are due in week 12. Plant identification test will be conducted during the last day of residential school (27th April 2017). Handing in of note book will occur on the last day of residential school (27th April 2017).


Return Date to Students

Please see the Moodle site for further details on specimen collection, submission and testing, and practical book submission.


Weighting
45%

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Assessment Criteria

  1. Only technically correct specimens will be considered, and only ONE specimen per GENUS will be considered towards 20 specimens.
  2. The submitted specimens will be assessed for their quality (drying, mounting), labeling, floral diagram and the steps taken in keying.
  3. The in-class plant identification test will be assessed based on the evidence provided by the student for plant identification (via floral diagrams), steps taken in keying, listing of each of the keying steps used, and other observations recorded to help identify the specimen.
  4. An A4 size note book or a ring binder may be used to record the procedures followed, observations taken and the data analysed during practical sessions and field trips.
  5. The information pertaining to each session of the residential school must be written in separate sections and the note book should be made available to the lecturers during residential school.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Submission Instructions
Students should submit 20 TECHNICALLY correct plant specimens along with a LIST showing the names of the species collected,(Genus level) and the families to which they belong. Please pack the specimens in an A3 size card board box (eg 'PostPac' ) and mail or hand-in the box to the Admin officer, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Level 1, Bldg 6, CQUniversity, Rockhampton, Qld 4702. The post-mark will be used to assess the date posted.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Collect and curate specimens and use taxonomic keys to identify native plants
  • Examine characteristic features of terrestrial Australian flora, and describe the use of those features in vegetation management and their economic exploitation
  • Undertake vegetation surveys, interpret data and explain the use of GIS and remote sensing techniques in vegetation management.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Cross Cultural Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
40%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?