Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

View all online units

Unit Overview

Description

South-western Australia is world-renowned for its high floristic diversity, and this field-based unit is held in one of its most biologically diverse regions, Lesueur National Park and surroundings. This intensive field-based unit is oriented towards students with an interest in field-based research in plant ecology and ecophysiology and is taught by leading experts in these fields. The overall aim of the unit is to understand how individual plants interact with their abiotic and biotic environment, and how this determines plant community structure and diversity. Emphasis is on the unique adaptations of native plant species to cope with extreme environmental conditions (e.g. low water and nutrient availability, salinity, fire). This field course is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience with plant biodiversity surveys, plant mineral nutrition, leaf functional ecology, plant water relations, plant–soil interactions, and other topics.

Credit
6 points
Outcomes

Through field-based learning, students are able to (1) get acquainted with how plants function in a highly biodiverse natural environment; (2) apply field-based methods in community ecology and plant ecophysiology; (3) interpret plant biodiversity patterns from ecophysiological principles; (4) analyse and interpret ecophysiological data; and (5) develop and conduct small research projects.

Assessment

This comprises quizzes on required readings (25 percent), oral presentation of project proposal (15 per cent) and a research report (60 per cent).



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Assistant Professor Charles Price
Unit rules
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Master of Biological Science (72520)
or the Master of Biotechnology (71580)
or the Master of Geographic Information Science (71570)
or honours in the Faculty of Science
Advisable prior study
PLNT3301 Plant Physiological Ecology
or ENVT3363 Ecological Processes or equivalent
Incidental fees
Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Field Trip (estimated cost - Up to $1050).
Contact hours
a 1-week field trip (charges: cost of food and accommodation is borne by the student), followed by a series of seminars in the second week. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours.
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.

Face to face

Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Online flexible

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online timetabled

100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.

Online Restricted

Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.

NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.

External

No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.

Off-campus

Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.

Multi-mode

Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.