SLE237 - Biogeography

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SQB237
Unit Chair:Trimester 3: Nick Porch
Prerequisite:

One of SLE102, SLE103, SLE111, SLE115, SLE132, SLE136 or SLE151.

For A300 students: AIG103. One of SLE102, SLE103, SLE111, SLE115, SLE132, SLE136 or SLE151.

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

Intensive: This unit is taught intensively over a two week period (typically weeks 1-2). 8 hours of on-campus lectures, 12 hours of online lectures, 4 x 3 hour practical experience (workshop) and a half day practical experience (field trip).

Content

Why do different parts of the world have very different plants and animals? Why is Australia's biodiversity so distinctive? Biogeography, the study of the distribution of plants and animals in space and through time, has answers. In this unit, students will learn to integrate their own observations, and concepts from biology, earth science, and geography to identify and explain the patterns and processes responsible for the distribution of organisms on our planet. There is emphasis on examples from the Australian biota and understanding the nature and origins of the Australian flora and fauna.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1 Determine patterns and processes of biotic distribution in space and time and detect the possible mechanisms responsible for large-scale (regional to global) biogeographical patterns. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO2

Collect and analyse data to explain the uniqueness of the contemporary Australian biota. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
ULO3 Relate biotic distribution patterns to tectonic history and environmental conditions of an area. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
ULO4 Develop maps and graphs to interpret and display biogeographical data. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO5

Apply biogeographical theory to real world scenarios. GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
In-class quizzes
Four in-class short quizzes 20% (4 x 5%) Progressively in class during the 2-week intensive teaching period
Assessment 2
Practical test
Online test 20% Week 3
Assessment 3
Class test
Multiple choice and written response class test 30% Week 3
Assessment 4
Essay
1500 word essay 30% Week 6

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE237 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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