11177 Botany

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Architecture
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject introduces students to botany, horticulture and plant aesthetics –– interrelated fields that are integral to landscape architecture. Students learn how to observe, research, identify and document a range of plant species and associations and understand their horticultural requirements. In doing the above, the subject introduces foundational knowledge and skills for planting design, and invites students to develop an appreciation of plants and vegetation.

The subject is undertaken as a combination of lectures, tutorials and discussions, with the potential for some site visits and workshops.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1.	Independently research and learn about plant species and communities using observation, identification and research skills.
2.	Develop ways of observing, drawing and documenting plants individually and in natural associations (i.e. plant communities) through a range of media.
3.	Build skills and knowledge in the cultivation of plants, including propagation, plant selection, soil types, care and plant tolerances.
4.	Develop drawing techniques for plant documentation and design. Curate and communicate phenomena through writing, drawing and photography.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:

C = communication and groupwork

A = attitudes and values

P = practical and professional

R = research and critique

I = innovation and creativity.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).

Teaching and learning strategies

DIVERSE LEARNING MEANS:

The subject is structured around several modes of delivery including a series of illustrated lectures with experts from the field coupled with workshop/tutorial discussions, and individual site visits with practical exercises. Assignment submissions may include verbal presentation and physical documents for the 2 assignments. Feedback will be verbal throughout the semester. It is the student's responsibility to make notes of any feedback given in these sessions. Supplemental written feedback will also be provided for each of the 2 assignments with the assessment.

FEEDBACK:

The class structure provides several opportunities for feedback:

1. Throughout the semester verbal feedback will be provided by tutor(s) and peer-peer in the tutorial and workshop sessions for in-class presentations and work sessions. It is the student's responsibility to bring sufficient work for feedback (in line with the required timeline) and to make notes of any feedback given in these sessions.

2. All assignments are graded in ReView, where the tutor(s) will give formal feedback and indicative grades. This site also allows students to self-assess.

3. The online forum will allow students to engage with the work of their peers and the tutor(s) and can be seen as a further opportunity for informal feedback.

Content (topics)

Appreciation, identification and research of plants.
Analysing the aesthetics and composition of plant communities and designed planting.
Plant communities of the Sydney region.
The aesthetic, ecological and cultural capacities of plants for an enriched city and environment.
Human cultivation of plants.
Designing with plants.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Plant Catalogue

Intent:

The aim of the assessment is to develop methods of observation, identification, research and documentation of plants.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.1 and .2

Type:

Portfolio

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

35%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Quality of observation	20	2	.1
Accuracy & quality of plant identifications and botanical anatomy	35	1	.1
Horticultural research and insights	20	3	.1
Quality of graphical & textual outputs; layout & presentation	25	4	.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Plant Community Portfolio

Intent:

The aim of the assessment is to develop methods of observation, identification, research and documentation plants (both in isolation and in communities).

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2 and 4

This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.):

.1, .1 and .2

Type:

Portfolio

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

65%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Observation & analysis	25	2	.1
Accuracy & quality of plant identifications and other botanical research	30	1	.1
Quality of graphical & textual output (sketches, photos, diagrams, drawings & writing)	25	4	.1
Refinement and clarity of presentation and curation of folio	20	4	.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.

Required texts

Botany & Plant Identification – These should be purchased in week 1.

Robinson, Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney. 3rd Edition, Simon & Schuster 2003

Farley & Moore, Native Plants of the Sydney Region. 3rd Edition, Allen & Unwin 2010

HAND LENS

One 10x magnification hand lens (often labelled as 'geology hand lens'). These can be purchased online or in specialist shops

Recommended texts

You do not need to purchase these texts, but we encourage you to consult them as required during the semester to complete your assignments, or to read them in your spare time.

Additional texts for plant identification & botanical research

Pellow, B. J., Carolin, R. C., & Henwood, M. J. (2009). Flora of the Sydney region :A complete revision (5th ed.). University of Sydney, N.S.W.: Sydney University Press.

Baker, M., Corringham, R., & Dark, J. (1986). Native plants of the Sydney region. Winmalee, N.S.W.: Three Sisters Productions.

Horticulture – To consult throughout the semester (available online at UTS library)

Turner, KD & Brands, R 2011, Botany for designers: a practical guide for landscape architects and other professionals, W.W. Norton & Company, New York.

Other resources

Landscape Architecture/Design Practices with a strong and focus on planting design

We encourage you to research the work or research of these people / practices:

INTERNATIONAL:

Phytostudio

Nigel Dunnett

James Hitchmough

Terremoto

O2 Landscapes

Gertrude Jeckyll

Gilles Clement

Piet Oudolf

Vogt Landscape Architects

Mosbach Paysagistes

AUSTRALIAN:

Edna Walling

Sue Barnsley Design

Jane Irwin Landscape Artchiture

Amanda Oliver Gardens

Fiona Brockhoff

Betty Maloney

Lectures/talks

http://sydney.edu.au/environment-institute/events

HumanNature Series (and others)

http://sydney.edu.au/environment-institute/events/?event_category=talk

Online

https://www.survival.org.au/bush_tucker_survival_guide.php

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/research/VISmap.htm

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/land-and-soil/soil-data/soil-maps

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/vegetation

http://trees.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/map

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/PlantNet/Euc

https://www.ala.org.au

http://www.bionet.nsw.gov.au

http://avh.ala.org.au/#tab_simpleSearch