MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Science Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996


Ecology and evolutionary biology

Discipline objectives

+ Students with interests in plant and animal biology and ecology will at the completion of their course understand:

+ the basic biology of plant and animal systems from the cell to the level of the whole organism and the basic metabolic processes that control them;

+ the relationships between structure and function of plants and animals at different levels of organisation;

+ the complexity of ecological interactions between organisms and their environment;

+ the diversity of plant and animal life in the context of evolutionary theory;

+ the nature of the plants and animals that characterise the Australian flora and fauna and the essential features of Australian ecosystems;

+ freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems through theoretical, practical and field studies.

The discipline

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers subjects for students intending to major in botany or zoology and a variety of biological subjects for students enrolled in the BSc (Environmental). The subjects may be combined with subjects from other departments such as Chemistry, Microbiology, Physiology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Earth Sciences etc.

In the first year, students undertake courses in biology, ie BIO1011 and BIO1022 or BIO1042. In the second year students have the choice of majors in botany, zoology and environmental biology. Students continuing into third-year will enrol in the subjects BOT3011 and BOT3022 if majoring in plant sciences, or ZOO3011 and ZOO3022 if wishing to major in the animal sciences, or all of these subjects for a combined major in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Students may undertake a fourth year of study for a BSc honours degree in a course combining studies of advanced topics with a research program under supervision.

First year

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers three six-point first-year subjects: BIO1011 in first semester is followed by either BIO1022 or BIO1042 in second semester. The combination BIO1011 with BIO1022 is a general first-year Biology course. BIO1042 emphasises environmental aspects of biology. A complete twelve-point, two semester sequence in Biology at first-year level is a prerequisite for second-year botany and zoology subjects.

Second year

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers ten second-year subjects covering botany, zoology, ecology, evolution and conservation biology. First year students planning to take second-year subjects in subsequent years should take note of first-year prerequisites for second-year subjects, as indicated below.

Second-year subjects are each worth four points. Each subject has two lectures and one 2.5-hour practical class a week. Various combinations are possible but students are recommended to take one or more of the preferred sixteen point combinations listed below:

1. For students with a strong interest in plant sciences (botany): BOT2031 + BOT2042 + BIO2011 + BIO2022

2. For students with a strong interest in animal sciences (zoology): ZOO2031 + ZOO2042 + BIO2011 + BIO2022

3. For students with a strong interest in environmental sciences: BIO2011 + BIO2031 + BIO2042 + BIO2062

Students enrolling in both botany and zoology streams should take BOT2031, BOT2042, ZOO2031, ZOO2042, BIO2011, BIO2022 and two other second year BIO subjects from the list below. Students enrolling in botany and environmental sciences should take BOT2031, BOT2042, BIO2011, BIO2022, BIO2031, BIO2042, BIO2062 and one other subject from the list below. Students enrolling in zoology and environmental sciences should take ZOO2031, ZOO2042, BIO2011, BIO2022, BIO2031, BIO2042, BIO2062 and one other subject from the list below. Students wishing to enrol in other combinations of subjects are strongly advised to discuss their proposed course with a subject coordinator.

Any student who intends to enrol in third-year subjects offered by the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology must have passed subjects, offered by the department, with a total value of at least sixteen points at second-year level. Details concerning specific prerequisites for third-year subjects are given in the third-year section below, however the prerequisites will be modified for students entering third year in 1997 and beyond. Students should consult the department for details.

Third year

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers four twelve-point third-year subjects comprising two major sequences: Botany (BOT3011 and BOT3022) and Zoology (ZOO3011 and ZOO3022).

Fourth year

The Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology offers: Ecology and evolutionary biology honours (BIO4000)


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