AG2002 - Agricultural Plant Ecological Physiology

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

How do plants solve the problems posed by the environments in which they live? This subject explores the strategies and mechanisms by which plants trap energy, obtain carbon and other nutrients, efficiently use water, defend themselves against predators and pathogens, and compete for resources. We will examine the gene-by-environment based decision-making systems plants use to allocate resources to foraging, growth, defence and reproduction. We will explore the environmental influences that shape plant performance and tolerances in a range of environments, including tropical, semi-arid, temperate and saline. The responses of plants in a high CO2 world will also be discussed. Field- and laboratory-based experiments encourage students to develop skills required for data collection, analysis and communication of results, the ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically.

Learning Outcomes

• A systems knowledge of the diversity of mechanisms used by plants to tolerate physical and biological environments and to optimise performance within them;
• An appreciation of current understanding of the functional relationships between plant structure and the radiation of plant life;
• Development of laboratory skills in ecophysiological methods;
• Skills in field observation, data collection and scientific literacy;
• An understanding of the levels of integration between plants and environment in ecosystems.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Assumed Knowledge:	Students enrolling in this subject should have a good understanding of level 1 science, including cell biology and biochemistry (BZ1001/AG1002 or equivalent), plant science (BT1001/AG1003 or equivalent), and chemistry.
Prerequisites:	((AG1002 OR BZ1001) AND (AG1003 OR BT1001) AND (CH1001 OR CH1011 OR BM1000))
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	BT2250 AND BZ2410 AND BZ2460 AND BZ2470

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Joseph Holtum
Lecturers:	Dr Joseph Holtum, Dr Peter Franks.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 24 hours practicals 6 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); practical reports (30%); field note-book (10%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Joseph Holtum
Lecturers:	Dr Joseph Holtum, Dr Peter Franks.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 6 hours tutorials 24 hours practicals 6 hours fieldwork
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); practical reports (30%); field note-book (10%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.