BIO2181 Evolution of plant diversity
Faculty of Science
BIO2181 Evolution of plant diversity is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 2 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2020
- Semester 1
- Clayton
This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before BIO2181
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After BIO2181
2 units list BIO2181 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit examines the diversity of plant life, how plants evolved and how they live and grow. Topics cover evolutionary theory, the interpretation and use of phylogenetic trees in biodiversity research, plant form and function, and plant physiology. The unit provides an overview of the characteristics of algae, bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. As we move through this diverse range of plants we discuss their evolutionary relationships and the adaptive significance of their key features, including the evolution of physiological and anatomical adaptations to different biomes.
Offerings in 2020
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester (Fully flex) | Clayton | Flexible |
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain the evolutionary (i.e. phylogenetic) relationships among major plant lineages;
- 2
Describe the major structural innovations of each group and how they function;
- 3
Describe key physiological processes in plants and how they have evolved;
- 4
Describe the influence of evolutionary history and of the environment on biogeographic patterns of species occurrence, from community to continental scales;
- 5
Demonstrate a basic ability to use the command-line programming platform R to display phylogenetic trees and the use of phylogenetic information to analyse the evolution of traits and the formation of plant communities;
- 6
Demonstrate a basic ability to identify species of the Australian flora with the aid of taxonomic keys.
Workload and teaching
- Two 1-hour lectures
- One 3-hour practical per week (or equivalent)
This unit may involve informal and formal excursions (unfunded).
Where it fits
BIO2181 is part of 3 areas of study in the 2020 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Martin Burd
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Martin Burd
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BIO2181?
BIO2181 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after BIO2181?
BIO2181 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 2 units, including BIO3021 and BIO3091.
When is BIO2181 offered?
In 2020, BIO2181 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Which majors and minors include BIO2181?
BIO2181 is part of Ecology and conservation biology; and Plant sciences.