Botany
Dr Don Gaff
12 points * 10 hours per week * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: BOT2011 and BOT2022 or permission of the head of the department
This subject consists of any two of three units. `Research methods in biology' deals with the philosophy of science, writing and assessing scientific papers and reports, and the analysis and interpretation of biological data with particular emphasis on the design and analysis of experiments. Students intending to take honours (BIO4000) are expected to enrol in this unit. The `Algae' unit focuses on the biology of algae and gives special emphasis to the ecology of marine plants, algal physiology, and algal biotechnology including techniques for tissue culture and genetic engineering. There will be a five-day marine botany course held at the Queenscliff marine station during orientation week. `Ecological physiology' deals with the ways in which environment determines plant form and distribution, and offers a detailed treatment of the mechanisms underlying plant responses to the environment, stress tolerance, drought, salinity, flower induction and plant hormones.
Assessment
Examinations (5 hours): 60% * Practical work/Fieldwork: 40%
Recommended texts
Anderson J W and Beardall J Molecular activities of plant cells Blackwell, 1991
Clayton M N and King R J Biology of marine plants Longman Cheshire, 1990
Dring M R The biology of marine plants Edward Arnold, 1982
Salisbury F B and Ross C W Plant physiology 4th edn, Wadsworth, 1992
or
Taiz L and Zeiger E Plant physiology Benjamin-Cummings, 1991