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PSC103 Botany (8)

Abstract

This subject focuses on the flowering plants, the most successful plants on the planet and vital for our survival. We start by placing plants “centre stage” highlighting their intimate association with us, from domestication of important food species to plants of cultural and pharmacological significance. An overview of the evolutionary leaps that brought us the angiosperms highlights their success among the land plants.  The importance of taxonomy and classification in scientific study is also illuminated. We then investigate the ‘molecules of life’, cell structure and that most important of processes – photosynthesis. We then examine the reproductive sequence of flowers, fruits and seeds, followed by the vegetative parts of stems, roots and leaves. Linked and integrated through these topics are hormones and water and sugar conduction.
For our viticulture and wine students we have developed additional images, resources and examples to demonstrate how these basic concepts apply to grapevines.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 1
Online*Wagga Wagga Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSC103
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Enrolment restrictions

Students who have completed BIO126 or BIO127 cannot enrol into this subject.
Incompatible subject(s)
BIO126 BIO127

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of the function and role of plants in relation to us
  • be able to demonstrate a developing knowledge and understanding of the evolution, structure and physiology of flowering plants
  • be able to accurately identify the structural, functional and developmental features of flowering plants of adaptive significance to terrestrial and aquatic habitats

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Unit 1: The science of botany; origins of agriculture; plants and people; taxonomy. evolution and research methodology
  • Unit 2: From molecules to cells
  • Unit 3: Energy and cell division - photosynthesis, respiration and how cells divide
  • Unit 4: Plant structure, growth and development
  • Unit 5: Angiosperm diversity and reproduction; flowers, fruits and seeds
  • Unit 6: Plant behaviour; hormones and response to external stimuli
  • Unit 7: Stems; form and function
  • Unit 8: Form function and nutrition through symbiotic relationships
  • Unit 9: Leaves 1: Leaf function and specialisations
  • Unit 10: Leaves 2: Adaptations of photosynthetic metabolism and functions besides photosynthesis

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 5 day residential school. The residential school provides students with practical examples of the theory taught within the subject. The practicals are laboratory based and cover plant tissue and living cells through the microscope, measuring photosynthesis, flower/fruit/seed morphology, stem root/leaf anatomy, seed germination, hormone examples and water potential measurement. Students in PSC103 will also attempt the end of session exam on the final day of the residential school.

Specialised Resources

Travel to and accommodation at a CSU campus is required for distance education students attending the compulsory residential school. All students are required to have a lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab based practicals.

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The information contained in the 2017 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 25 August 2017. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.