Australian Landscapes and Biota

Unit code: NPU2110 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
N/A
Overview
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Overview

This unit introduces students to both the range of environments and landscapes present across the Australian continent and the nature of the plants and animals that inhabit these landscapes. This will be achieved by: 1) discussing the factors that have shaped the various Australian environments, including geomorphological and climatic processes, and historical factors; 2) introducing the distinctive flora and fauna of Australia and the evolutionary pressures that have shaped the Australian biota; and 3) reviewing relationships between the biota and the environment. The unit also provides foundational knowledge on the Australian environment for students not continuing in the biological sciences.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Infer how various factors, including geomorphological, climatic, historical and evolutionary, have shaped present Australian landscapes and the various environments contained within, through field-based investigations and computer-based tools;
  2. Review and interpret the relationships between biotic (living) elements in the Australian environment and how these interact with various abiotic (non-living) elements;
  3. Analyse a range of environmental data with practical and computer-based tools;
  4. Communicate both individually and in groups complex inter-relationships between organisms and their environments, using written, oral and visual mediums; and
  5. Contextualise the influence of humans on Australian landscapes and biota from historical, present-day and Indigenous perspectives.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 20%
Written article for The Conversation
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 30%
Field portfolio
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 30%
Tests (3)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 20%
Group oral and individual written presentation

Required reading

Ecology: An Australian Perspective
Attiwill, P.M and Wilson, B.A. (2006)| Oxford University Press

Students will also use this text in the following units: RBF2610 Fundamentals of Ecology.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Outdoor Education and Environmental Science
SBOE | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years
Undergraduate Certificate in Science and the Environment
NUSE | Undergraduate certificate | Duration: 0.5 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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