Key facts
UNE unit code: BOTY302
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2026
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
Australia’s natural environment presents unique challenges for plant function. This online unit provides you with an in-depth examination of how Australian plants adapt and respond to these challenges to acquire resources such as carbon, nutrients and water, and the environmental influences on these processes.
With an emphasis on how plants respond to the stresses of salinity, drought, low nutrients, temperature, water logging and heavy metals, you will explore the effect of diverse factors on plant growth and development. You will also learn about the mechanisms employed by plants to cope with environmental stress, evaluating a range of methods for investigating these mechanisms.
The unit develops your understanding of the functional and anatomical adaptations of plants to their environment, with practical exercises focusing on the ecophysiology of flora in Australia’s arid, semi-arid and human environments.
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 4 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Not Offered |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of how Australian plants obtain the resources (carbon, nutrients, water) necessary for growth by explaining this process in written or verbal form;
- demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the functional mechanisms of Australian plants that allow them to grow and develop in humid, semi-arid and arid environments by explaining this process in written or verbal forms;
- demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the anatomical specialisations of Australian plants and explain this process in written or verbal form; and
- demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the subject by expressing an appreciation of the mechanisms whereby Australian plants cope with the environmental stresses of salinity, drought, heavy metals, waterlogging and low nutrients, and evaluate methods for investigating these mechanisms.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1 | Yes | 25% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 3000 |
| Practical Report | Yes | 25% | All offerings | No. Words: 1000 |
| Final Examination | Yes | 50% | All offerings |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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