BIO3082 Global change biology
Faculty of Science
BIO3082 Global change biology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2021 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 4 other tasks
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before BIO3082
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After BIO3082
No unit lists BIO3082 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: 12 credit points from level two BIO or GEN units or by permission
Overview
This unit studies how human-induced environmental changes, such as climate change, affects organisms and ecosystems. We explore how environmental stresses affect the physiology, behaviour, and ecological interactions of different organisms. In turn, the implications of these changes for biodiversity and human society are also examined. The unit covers a range of organisms (i.e. plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, microorganisms) and biomes (e.g. grasslands, oceans, coral reefs, Antarctica). Throughout the course, we also consider intervention strategies that can increase the sustainability of human development and reduce its impacts on biota.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Practical report: Water loss in plants12.5%
- Practical report: Temperature and plants12.5%
- Practical report: Climate-driven range shifts12.5%
- Posts on current issues in global change biology and participation in class discussion12.5%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Summarise the main anthropogenic pressures on biota, including climate change, land use change, pollution, and invasive species.
- 2
Explain how plants and animals respond to environmental stresses, including by modulating: gene expression, metabolism, morphology, and behaviour.
- 3
Assess how environmental change affects biodiversity, food security, and other ecosystem services.
- 4
Predict how ongoing environmental changes will affect the ecological distributions and interactions of animals, plants, and microorganisms.
- 5
Propose and evaluate strategies to prevent or mitigate environmental change and its impacts on biota.
- 6
Demonstrate critical analytical approaches to scientific research and writing scientific reports.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories36 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Two 1-hour lectures and the equivalent of three hours of laboratory work per week
This unit involves exposing students to the key concepts that underpin our understanding of global change biology. We do so by reinforcing lecture-based content with active face-face and online practical classes where you will take concepts presented in lectures and engage with them through hands-on practical exercises and small group activities. These small group discussions involve problem solving and discussion of key issues in global change biology.
Learning resources
Required resources
Laboratory coat
Closed toe footwear
Bring your own device
Where it fits
BIO3082 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2021 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Carla Sgro
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Carla Sgro
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BIO3082?
BIO3082 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is BIO3082 offered?
In 2021, BIO3082 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does BIO3082 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include BIO3082?
BIO3082 is part of Ecology and conservation biology; Environmental science; Plant sciences; and Zoology.