Program Overview

Program Overview

The PSC103 Botany subject focuses on the flowering plants, highlighting their importance for life on earth. The subject covers the evolutionary leaps that led to the success of angiosperms, the importance of classification and specific naming of plants, and the molecular and cellular aspects of plant biology.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The subject is offered over one session.

School

The subject is part of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences.

Enrolment Restrictions

Students who have completed BIO126, BIO127, or PSC102 cannot enrol in this subject. Enrolment is restricted to students undertaking the B. of Wine Science, B of Wine Business, and B. of Viticulture courses. Other students seeking enrolment need to seek permission from the subject coordinator.

Incompatible Subjects

The incompatible subjects for PSC103 are BIO126, BIO127, and PSC102.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Explain the importance of flowering plants for life on earth
• Describe the molecules of life and metabolic processes, especially photosynthesis
• Describe the role of cell division, meristems, and tissue types in plant development
• Name, classify, and distinguish between major plant groups
• Dissect flowers and prepare floral formulas
• Describe the processes of pollination, double fertilization, and seed germination
• Identify and describe morphological and anatomical features of stems, roots, and leaves
• Recall different types of plant responses to environmental signals
• Analyze and evaluate data and draw and interpret graphs of experimental results
• Integrate knowledge from different units of study to create a depth of knowledge and understanding of flowering plants

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 behavior; 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 specializations
• Unit 10: Leaves 2: Adaptations of photosynthetic metabolism and functions besides photosynthesis

Residential School

The subject contains a 5-day compulsory residential school, which 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.

Special 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.