Key facts
UNE unit code: BOTY203
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
Whether you already love plants or you suffer from ‘plant blindness’, this unit gets you thinking and working like a botanist. You explore the major plant groups, how they are related, and the features botanists use to make sense of plant diversity.
You build practical capability in plant identification across field and laboratory settings, progressing towards confident recognition of plant families, genera, and species using diagnostic characters and standard identification workflows. You also develop your ability to find, evaluate and apply botanical literature and other authoritative resources to assess the status and correct application of botanical scientific names.
A strong practical focus supports your preparation of high-quality herbarium specimens and associated collection information, culminating in the completion of a curated herbarium collection. Throughout the unit, you build confidence communicating with precise botanical terminology and scientific conventions, developing capabilities directly relevant to ecology, conservation and plant-focused careers.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | The intensive school is mandatory for online students. The ability to enrol in this unit as an online student will be removed approximately three days prior to the commencement of this mandatory intensive school. Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
The Intensive School for BOTY203 Online Students is mandatory and held mid-February. This is to prepare students with the knowledge to give them enough time to complete their herbarium collection assignment.
The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.
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:
- explain the differences and relationships between plant groups;
- apply skills in plant identification in the field and laboratory, leading to recognition and identification of plant families, genera, and species;
- identify and apply botanical literature and other resources to assess the status of botanical scientific names;
- prepare high-quality herbarium specimens and information in an herbarium collection; and
- communicate botanical observations and identifications using appropriate botanical terminology and scientific conventions.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbarium - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | 15 sheets. No. Words: Equivalent to 1200 |
| Online Quizzes | Yes | 20% | All offerings | A series of online quizzes |
| Practical Tests - Assurance Task | Yes | 10% | All offerings | This is an invigilated test that is held at the end of the intensive school and also at the end of each on campus weekly practical. The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% in Practical Tests - Assurance Task and Herbarium - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Taxonomy Report | Yes | 20% | All offerings | No. Words: 1500 |
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.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Plant Systematics
ISBN: 9780128126288
Simpson, M.G., Elsevier Science & Technology 3rd ed. 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
Name That Flower
ISBN: 9780522876048
Clarke, I., MUP 3rd ed. 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
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