Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This design unit continues the sustainability theme and explores plant assemblages relating to (a) the biological characteristics of plants, focusing on vegetation communities, plant species and their environmental tolerances, and (b) plants as a functional medium for design, cultural habitats of plants, creating spaces with plants, plant selection processes, horticultural issues, and planting for different contexts. Continued development of graphics skills in design exploration and communication will be integrated into the program.

Aims

The main aim of this unit is to explore the application of scientific, horticultural and planting design principles and practices in designing sustainable landscapes at a small to medium scale.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit you should be able at beginning level to:

1. demonstrate at an introductory level, the ability to effectively communicate through written and graphic means (including different recording techniques to describe plants for various purposes such as botanical diagnostics, conceptual design, sketch design & implementation drawings).
   
2. understand basic plant science including: botanical nomenclature, morphology, plant forms and assemblages and the structure and composition of a local plant community.
   
3. assess the characteristics of a local plant community in relation to general principles and assess the characteristics of microenvironment influencing a local plant community.
   
4. demonstrate basic understanding of use of plants for landscape design purposes
   
5. demonstrate where and when appropriate, ethical conduct, collaboration and independent self-management and accountability

Content

The two main themes covered in this unit are:

1. BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERSITICS OF PLANTS - introduces the basics of vegetation classification, plant community structure, plant morphology and anatomy, plant identification and naming, plant growth and development, environmental tolerances, ecological interrelationships, natural habitats of plants.


2. FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PLANTS - introduces plants as a functional medium for landscape designers, types of site conditions, creating spaces with plants, cultural habitats of plants, creating spaces with plants, plant selection processes, horticultural issues, and planting for different contexts.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 4 hours
Lecture: 1-2 hours per week
Studio: 2-3 hours per week

Learning Approaches:
Learning approaches will cover the following:

• Problem based learning through a investigation project of a selected urban area to collectively address unit objectives


• Individual learning through the completion of designated components of a design project


• Team based learning through the completion of the plant community study project


• Reflection through the keeping of a reflective journal.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on a preliminary examination and the defined components of a series of projects.Formative feedback will be given in submissions of work in progress and during tutorial sessions. Summative assessment will be based on each of the defined components of the projects and will include detailed assessed feedback through relevant criteria referenced evaluation sheets issued with the assessment project descriptions.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: Plant Science
Relates to objectives: 2
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Log/Workbook
Description: Workbook A
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Planting Proposal with Workbook B
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Set Text
There are two prescribed texts for this unit:

Harden, G., McDonald, B. and Williams, J. (2006). Rainforest Trees and Shrubs: a field guide to their identification. Nambucca Heads NSW: Gwen Harden Publishing.

Adams, C R, Early M P, Bamford K M (2011). Principles of Horticulture, Sixth Edition. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann

References (other recommended reading):

Dickinson, Gordon and Murphy, Kevin (2007). Ecosystems, 2nd edition. Introductions to Environment Series. Lond: Routledge.

Leiper, G., et al (2008). Mangroves to Mountains. Revised Edition. Brisbane: Logan River: Society for Growing Australian Plants (Qld Region).


Other resource materials will be made available as appropriate through the unit Blackboard site, through the Resource Centre, Level 1, D Block or at the QUT GP Bookshop.


Additional Costs
Consumable costs, typical of the preparation and presentation of project work, are to be expected.
There are no other out of the ordinary additional costs associated with this unit.

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. The unit will require you to partake in field trips, of a self-guided nature. A risk assessment for these trips has identified only low impact risks. You will be provided with relevant safely guidelines prior to any field trip. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips.

Health & Safety Inductions
Students are required to complete the following Inductions / Certificates
1. General Safety Induction (completed online)

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-Jul-2012