Ecology and evolutionary biology

• Discipline objectives
• The discipline
• First year
• Second year
• Third year
• Fourth year
  • Ecology and evolutionary biology honours

Discipline objectives

• Students with interests in plant and animal biology and ecology will at the completion of their studies 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 subjects 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 study. BIO1042 emphasises environmental aspects of biology. A complete twelve-point, two-semester sequence in Biology at first-year level is a prerequisite for the second-year subjects: BOT2031, BOT2042, ZOO2031, ZOO2042.

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. 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 plan 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 subject descriptions, however the prerequisites will be modified for students entering third year in 1998 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). Each subject consists of either four, in the case of ZOO3022, or three units, as set out below, from which students select two:

• BOT3011 (select two from) `Research methods in biology', `Marine botany' or `Plant eco-physiology';
• BOT3022 (select two from) `The evolution and ecology of the Australian flora', `Plant-animal interactions' (not offered in 1997) or `Community ecology';
• ZOO3011 (select two from) `Research methods in biology', `Mammalian biology' or `Aquatic ecology';
• ZOO3022 (select two from) `Animal behaviour', `Animal eco-physiology', `Plant-animal interactions' (not offered in 1997) or `Community ecology'.

As a general rule the prerequisite for each of BOT3011, BOT3022, ZOO3011 and ZOO3022 is for students to have obtained a minimum of at least sixteen points at second-year level from subjects offered by the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Students should note, however, that some units in BOT3011, BOT3022, ZOO3011 and ZOO3022 do have some specific second-year subjects as prerequisites. Details of these are given in the subject descriptions.

For students with a strong interest in environmental sciences the following combination of units that do not have specific prerequisites, apart from BIO2011, are available within the following subjects:

• BOT3011 (select two from) `Research methods in biology', `Marine botany' or `Plant eco-physiology';
• ZOO3011 (select two from): `Research methods in biology', `Mammalian biology' or `Aquatic ecology';
• ZOO3022 `Animal behaviour', `Plant-animal interactions' (not offered in 1997) or `Community ecology'.

Fourth year

Ecology and evolutionary biology honours

Students with a good academic record and at least a credit in either BOT3011/3022 or ZOO3011/3022 may apply to enrol in an honours year (BIO4000). Students undertake supervised research, present research seminars, participate in discussion groups, and submit essays on advanced topics. Special studies may be included to meet the needs of individual students. Candidates may commence the honours year at the beginning of either semester. Further information is available from the head of department and at meetings held with prospective students during second semester.

Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168 Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996