A BSc degree majoring in Botany is required for acceptance into any fourth year level module. Students will be subjected to a selection process.
 

BOT410 - Botanical techniques

The botanical techniques that students will be introduced to during the first term include:

  • Biostatistics (parametric, non-parametric, multivariate analysis)
  • Computer use (data management, reference retrieval, Grapher, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero)
  • Culturing (microalgae, tissue culture)
  • Field environmental measures (physical factors, chemical factors, biotic comounds)
  • Herbarium (Microsoft Access database, collection, curation, drying, literature)
  • Microscopy (bright field, differential interference, phase contrast, fluorescence, scanning electron, transmission electron, image analysis)
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Photography
  • Photosynthesis (IRGA, O2 evolution, PEA, PAM)
  • Radiochemistry
  • Scientific writing (proposals, papers, posters, projects, popular articles)
  • Separation
  • Surveying (dumpy level, GPS, theodolite)
 

BOT420, BOT430 & BOT 440 - Selected topics

Each of these three modules focus on aspects of a specialisation field selected by the student in consultation with the department.  The three selected topics must be in a single specialisation field.  Students may select from the following specialisation fields:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Management
  • Marine Botany
  • Plant Physiology
  • Systematic Botany

Two special topics are offered as selected topics and may be taken with any field of specialisation field:

  • Environmental Management Procedures (Term 3)
  • Landscape Ecology and GIS (Term 4)
 

BOT450 & BOT 460 - Research projects

Each of these two modules consist of a research project, the topic of which must be chosen in consultation with a member of staff who will act as a supervisor.  Students are required to work closely with the supervisor in the design, execution and presentation of the study.
 

BOT470 - Oral examination

Students are examined by the academic staff and an external examiner on topics of general knowledge related to botany and science as a whole. Students are also expected to provide a defence of their first research project (BOT450).