James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2013

BZ2450 - Biodiversity of Tropical Australia

Credit points: 03
Year: 2013
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: School of Marine & Tropical Biology

This subject introduces the concept of biodiversity, its components, its origin and its maintenance, particularly by reference to the distinctive plants and animals of tropical Australia. Lectures and field work focus on a range of habitats, including rainforest and coastal systems. Studies of plants include an understanding of vegetation types and their diversity, and their importance as habitats, and the diversity of selected components of the vegetation. Studies of animals will include invertebrates, fish, frogs, reptiles, birds and mammals, especially marsupials. Co-evolving plant-animal interactions such as the development of pollination and dispersal systems are also explored.

Learning Outcomes


Availabilities

Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 29-Aug-2013
Coordinator: Dr David Pike
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 11 hours fieldwork
Assessment:end of semester exam (40%); quizzes or tests (35%); essays (10%); field trip report; (15%).

Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator: Dr Sandra Abell
Lecturers: Dr Sandra Abell, Professor Andrew Krockenberger.
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 3 days fieldwork
Assessment:end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (10%); assignments (25%); field trip report (15%).

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.