Course coordinator
Professor Susanne Schmidt
Consultation with me is by appointment. To make an appointment to see me, please email susanne.schmidt@uq.edu.au.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
This course extends Plant Science from foundational knowledge to an advanced experience in a plant science research topic of choice. Students undertaking this course will be experiencing, in a team environment, cutting edge research and the questions and techniques that lead to innovation. Students in BIOL2903 explore a literature-based topic that is guided by an expert mentor, evaluated and communicated to peers and experts by the student.
Our planet is largely driven by biological processes and plants have shaped Earth for over 400 million years. Plant biologists find solutions to current challenges: restore habitat and protect biodiversity,ﾠadapt to and reverse climate change, produce more food more sustainably, and exploring a botanical treasure trove of over 350,000 species.
Plant Biology knowledge is foundational if you are training for a career in ecology and conservation, environmental sciences, agriculture or biotechnology. The teaching team are experts in their specialisations and combine interactive lectures with inquiry-based and student-focused learning and hands-on skills. BIOL2203 uses UQ Edge with materials for self-evaluation. Weekly pracs explore plant evolution, biodiversity and biogeography, anatomy and plant identification,ﾠresponse to changing environments,ﾠsterile and molecular laboratory technique, plant pathogens and biotechnology. You willﾠdesign and carry out experiments,ﾠanalyseﾠandﾠcommunicate your research. Pracs make up 60% of courseﾠmarks, exams 40%.ﾠ
STUDENT FEEDBACK
My favourite course at UQ so far! A great introduction to all aspects of plant science and fungal biology. The pracs were very hands-on and lots of fun!
BIOL2203 is an engaging introduction to the hugely diverse world of plant biology. Great content, lecturers and fair assessments made a highly rewarding course, given you put in the work and got involved. ..to better understand and appreciate the weird and wonderful biology of plant ...to addressing global challenges.
The course was quite different to what I had expected. I had imagined it would be rather dreary, but instead, it was lively and entertaining. In the lab, we could design our own experiment, choosing the variables and following low it all the way through to collecting results. We were expertly guided by the course team of dedicated teachers and tutors,ﾠwho, it has to be said, are some of the most easily approachable and enthusiastic ones that I have come across at UQ. On the whole, a thoroughly enjoyable subject that made me really appreciate just how important plants are. Upon reflection, it easily ranks as my favourite subject of the year.ﾠ
I had not expected to be doing much plant biology, as I did not realise how important it was for understanding marine processes and ecosystems. I enjoyed BIOL2203 and found it exciting and challenging. The course uses real-world experiments and lecturers who encourage thinking. I am now doing a third-year plant subject. It has made me realise that a good knowledge of plant biology is a vital tool for problem-solving environmental issues.
At the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is crucial for fostering a rich culture of knowledge-sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold students and staff accountable for actively contributing to establishing a respectful and supportive learning environment.
Bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form are strictly against our principles and against ﾠUQ Policy,ﾠ and will not be tolerated. If you have any concerns about your experience in this course, we encourage you to tell a member of the course teaching team. Your well-being and a positive learning atmosphere are of utmost importance to us. At the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is crucial for fostering a rich culture of knowledge-sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold students and staff accountable for actively contributing to establishing a respectful and supportive learning environment.
Course requirements
Assumed background
First year biology courses
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
BIOL2203 (non-advanced version)
Restrictions
BAdvSc(Hons) students
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Susanne Schmidt
Associate Professor Lyn Cook
Associate Professor Miloš Tanurdžić
Professor Elizabeth Aitken
Dr Peter Crisp
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide participants with
- Knowledge of plant biology in the context of evolution, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture and biotechnology
- Understanding of plants that spans from building plans and adaptation to biomes, to molecular and physiological function
- An ability to collate, interpret and communicate plant biology
- Hands-on experience and skills in designing, executing, analysing and communicating original research
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain plant structure and function in context of evolution and adaptation to diverse environments
LO2.
As an individual or part of a student team design and/or perform experiments addressing well-defined questions in plant biology
LO3.
Explain internal signalling and plasticity of plants
LO4.
Evaluate the interactions of plants with other organisms
LO5.
Describe current plant molecular biology approaches and evaluate regulatory frameworks
LO6.
Demonstrate problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills through project-based investigation
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation, Project |
Sequential Assessment - Practical skills
|
60% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 60% |
Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 5/08/2025 5:00 pm Plant Biodiversity 26/08/2025 10:00 am Plant growth and development report 9/09/2025 10:00 am Plant-Environmental Interactions - testing a real-world system 7/10/2025 10:00 am Plant Disease 21/10/2025 10:00 am Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 21/10/2025 5:00 pm Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 28/10/2025 5:00 pm
Weeks 2, 12 and 13 (5 Aug, 21 and 28 Oct) practicals have registered attendance with in-class assessment. |
| Examination |
In Semester exam
|
15% |
9/09/2025
In-Class In-Semester Examin |
| Examination |
End of semester exam
|
25% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Sequential Assessment - Practical skills
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 60% This is part of a practical sequential activity, worth 60%
- Due date
Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 5/08/2025 5:00 pm
Plant Biodiversity 26/08/2025 10:00 am
Plant growth and development report 9/09/2025 10:00 am
Plant-Environmental Interactions - testing a real-world system 7/10/2025 10:00 am
Plant Disease 21/10/2025 10:00 am
Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 21/10/2025 5:00 pm
Laboratory Skills - in-class assessment 28/10/2025 5:00 pm
Weeks 2, 12 and 13 (5 Aug, 21 and 28 Oct) practicals have registered attendance with in-class assessment.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The practical assessment skills will cover multiple formats as noted eblow.
- Assessment 1 - Laboratory skills (4%): Microscopy and biotechnology skills are assessed by tutors on the day, with in-person attendance required. This assessment task is to be completed in-person and will assess Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
- Assessment 2 - Plant Biodiversity (12%): Skills in plant identification, taxonomy and biodiversity: students will upload plant species that they have identified to 'iNaturalist'. This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI or MT will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools. The use of AI or MT must be [referenced / acknowledged] appropriately. Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions. This task will assess Learning Objective 1.
- Assessment 3 - Plant growth and development report (12%): Students address questions using knowledge gained in the plant growth and development pracs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI or MT will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools. The use of AI or MT must be [referenced / acknowledged] appropriately. Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions. This task will assess Learning Objectives 2, 3 & 5.
- Assessment 4 - Plant-Environment Interactions - testing a real-world system (12%): Results from your team's plant-resource experiment are worked into a short presentation, to be uploaded online. This assessment task is to be completed in-person as part of course practicals. This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI or MT will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools. The use of AI or MT must be [referenced / acknowledged] appropriately. Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions. This task will assess Learning Objectives 2, 3, 5 & 6.
- Assessment 5 - Plant Disease (12%): Plant Disease Practical tasks are summarised in a report. Information available on the course Blackboard site. This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Translation (MT) tools, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which AI or MT will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools. The use of AI or MT must be [referenced / acknowledged] appropriately. Please see assessment guidelines in blackboard course site for specific instructions.
- Assessment 6 - Laboratory skills (4%): Microscopy and biotechnology skills are assessed by tutors on the day, with in-person attendance required. This assessment task is to be completed in-person and will assess Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
- Assessment 7 - Laboratory skills (4%): Microscopy and biotechnology skills are assessed by tutors on the day, with in-person attendance required. This assessment task is to be completed in-person and will assess Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Absence from a Practical Session
If you are unable to complete your timetabled practical session because of circumstances beyond your control (e.g., illness) you must submit a practical absence request immediately accompanied by acceptable supporting documentation.
A list of acceptable reasons and required supporting documentation is found at https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension?p=1#1
Your request must be submitted prior to or on the day of the missed practical. The submission link can be found in the Learning Resources (Blackboard Original) or Course Resources (Blackboard Ultra) folder in your course Blackboard site.
Requests without the correct supporting documentation may not be approved. If the reason for your absence is not approved, you will be considered absent from that practical session.
It is your responsibility to submit an application and provide correct documentation.
- If there is an associated assessment item, you must submit the relevant assessment item by the due date. If the reason for your absence impacts your ability to meet the due date, you must apply for an extension of assessment due date.
- This course is unable to provide an alternative session to attend.
If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the School - agriculture@enquire.uq.edu.au.
Submission guidelines
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=149) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Weeks 2, 12, 13 pracs run on the day and are not repeated. No extension available.
Due to the format of the assessment being completed during the practical session where these activities are unable to be re-produced (Week 2, 12 and 13), extensions cannot be granted for these 3 sequential assessment item. Students who are unable to attend the practical for reasons beyond their control will need to complete the ‘Absence from Practical’ form.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard, in accordance with the University's Assessment Procedure (located in the Policies and Procedures section of this course profile) which outlines the requirements for requesting extensions to assessment due dates. Extensions require the correct evidence/documentation to support the requested length of time of the extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
For example, a report worth a maximum of 40 marks, submitted 28 hours late will attract a penalty of 8 marks, calculated as 2 periods of 24 hours x 10% x 40 marks.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL).
In Semester exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
9/09/2025
In-Class In-Semester Examin
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
Short and long answer questions covering the course materials from weeks 1 to 6. This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Student must achieve a pass mark in the In-Semester Examination. Refer to Additional Course Grading Information for course hurdle requirements.Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten notes, double sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
in-person exam scheduled in the same room as Tuesday lectures.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
End of semester exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Exam covers all course materials with an emphasis on weeks 8-13.
Centrally timetabled exam.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Student must achieve a pass mark in the End of semester Examination. Refer to Additional Course Grading Information for course hurdle requirements.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of typed notes, double sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35 - 46% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A cumulative score of 47% - 49% for all assessment items OR failure to meet the identified assessment hurdle below. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score of 50% - 64% for all assessment items |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score of 65% - 74% for all assessment items |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score of 75% - 84% for all assessment items |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A cumulative score of 85% - 100% for all assessment items |
Additional course grading information
Students must obtain a passing mark in the In-Semester AND End of Semester exams in order to pass this course. If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-off for a 4 or higher on the cumulative results for all assessment items and the student does NOT score a passing mark in the In-Semester AND End of Semester exams in order to pass this course, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note the following when writing assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
All reported work must be done by the individual student. Assignments that look and sound alike will be reported as plagiarism – a serious offence at UQ. Please note the university’s policy on academic integrity and plagiarism which can be accessed at Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.
TurnItInﾠ
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating and you will be held liable for this action.
Release of marks
Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved, every attempt will be made to haveﾠthe results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will be available before the day of your end of semester examination in the course, unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.ﾠ
Feedback in this course
Feedback is welcome in this course as any information on how students find this learning experience is constructive.
Please use the evaluation form provided to you at the end of semester - or if you are enrolled in In Person mode, a course evaluation process will occur in the last few weeks of semester.
Re-mark Applications - refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check on your eligibility.
Before applying for a remark, students should consider the following:
- You have consulted the course coordinator for feedback
- Yourﾠacademic grounds for remark have been discussed and are valid
- Wanting a higher grade is not grounds for a remark. A remark can decrease your grade.
Remark applications will not be considered without first having contacted your course Co-ordinator.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL2903 Blackboard Site | Blackboard is the main method of communication. The Learning Guide, Lectures, Recommended Reading List (mainly journal articles), Tutorials and answers to questions will all be made available via Blackboard. http://learn.uq.edu.au/ | |
| Course Profile | Provides details of specifications, rationale, aims and structure of the course. It also provides information on course assessments, including weightings and due dates. A recommended reading list is also provided, covering textbooks and journal articles, all of which are available either in the UQ Gatton Library or online from the UQ Library website. | |
| Laboratory coat | Clean laboratory coat is required for all practicals. | own item needed |
| Safety glasses | Appropriate safety glasses are required for all practicals. | own item needed |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Plant form and function Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Plant biology in practice Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Plant evolution: mosses, ferns and others Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Plant cells and tissues in practice Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Plant names, classification and identification A/Prof Lyn Cook Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Plant classification and identification in practice A/Prof Lyn Cook Learning outcomes: L02 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Plant Diversity and distributions A/Prof Lyn Cook Learning outcomes: L01 |
Practical |
Plant diversity and distributions in practice A/Prof Lyn Cook Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Introduction to plant hormones Dr Milos Tanurdzic Learning outcomes: L03 |
Practical |
Plant hormones in practice Dr Milos Tanurdzic Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Plant growth and development Dr Milos Tanurdzic Learning outcomes: L03 |
Practical |
Plant growth and development in practice Dr Milos Tanurdzic Learning outcomes: L02, L06 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Plant resources: light and water Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Plant resources: light, water, nutrients in practice (1) Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Plant resources: nutrients Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
Practical |
Plant resources: light, water, nutrients in practice (2) Prof Susanne Schmidt Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L06 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Fungi and Plant Interactions Prof Liz Aitken Learning outcomes: L04 |
Practical |
Fungi and Plant Interactions in practice (1) Prof Liz Aitken Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Fungi and Plant Diseases Prof Liz Aitken Learning outcomes: L04 |
Practical |
Fungi and Plant Interactions in practice (2) Prof Liz Aitken Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Introduction to Plant Biotechnology Dr Peter Crisp Learning outcomes: L05 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Plant Biotechnology 1 Dr Peter Crisp Learning outcomes: L05 |
Practical |
Plant Biotechnology in practice Dr Peter Crisp Learning outcomes: L05 |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Plant Biotechnology 2 Dr Peter Crisp Learning outcomes: L05 |
Practical |
Plant Biotechnology 2 in practice Dr Peter Crisp Learning outcomes: L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: