James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2014

BZ2008 - Adaptation to Environmental Change

Credit points: 03
Year: 2014
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: School of Marine & Tropical Biology (pre 2015)

Organisms have evolved an astonishing diversity of form and function over the long evolution of Life. Nowhere is such diversity most on display than in the tropics. Yet, due to various biological and mechanical constraints, not all conceivable possibilities of organism form are physically possible. In this subject, our theme is to explore and understand the fundamental constraints imposed by the environments that Life inhabits as well as how key processes within plants and animals themselves have shaped the evolution of the modern biosphere. We will look at rise and diversification of key plant/animal adaptations in conjunction with their functions in Life's two key media: air and water.

Learning Outcomes

Assumed
Knowledge:
Students enrolling in this subject should have a good background in level 1 science subjects including organismal biology (BZ1007), chemistry (CH1001), and an ability to conduct simple statistical analyses in practical reports.
Prerequisites:(ZL1001 OR AG1004 OR BZ1004 OR BZ1006 OR BZ1007 OR BZ1003)
Inadmissible
Subject
Combinations:
BZ2808 BZ5008 BZ5808 ZL2008 ZL5008

Availabilities

Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2014
Coordinator: Dr Taylor Feild
Contact hours:
  • 26 hours lectures
  • 8 hours practicals - 4 x 2 hour pracs
    Assessment:other exams (25%); practical reports (50%); take home exam (25%).

    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.