SLE237 - Biogeography
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| Previously coded as | SQB237 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 3: Nick Porch |
| Prerequisite | One of SLE102, SLE103, SLE111, SLE115, SLE132, SLE136 or SLE151. For A300 students: AIG103. One of SLE102, SLE103, SLE111, SLE115, SLE132, SLE136 or SLE151. |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | Intensive: This unit is taught intensively over a two week period (typically weeks 1-2). 10 hours of on-campus lectures, 10 hours of online lectures, 4 x 3 hour practical experience (workshop) and a half day practical experience (field trip). |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
NoteThere is an enrolment deadline for this unit as the unit typically runs in the first 2 weeks of Trimester 3. | |
Content
Why do different parts of the world have very different plants and animals? Why is Australia's biodiversity so distinctive? Biogeography, the study of the distribution of plants and animals in space and through time, has answers. In this unit, students will learn to integrate their own observations, and concepts from biology, earth science, and geography to identify and explain the patterns and processes responsible for the distribution of organisms on our planet. There is emphasis on examples from the Australian biota and understanding the nature and origins of the Australian flora and fauna.
Learning outcomes
Each unit in your course is a building block towards Deakin's Graduate Learning Outcomes - not all units develop and assess every Graduate Learning Outcome (GLO).
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Determine patterns and processes of biotic distribution in space and time and detect the possible mechanisms responsible for large-scale (regional to global) biogeographical patterns. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO2 | Collect and analyse data to explain the uniqueness of the contemporary Australian biota. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Relate biotic distribution patterns to tectonic history and environmental conditions of an area. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Develop maps and graphs to interpret and display biogeographical data. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO5 | Apply biogeographical theory to real world scenarios. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO5: Problem solving |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 In-class quizzes | Four in-class short quizzes | 20% (4 x 5%) | Progressively in-class during the 2-week intensive teaching period |
| Assessment 2 Practical test | Online test | 20% | Week 3 |
| Assessment 3 Class test | Multiple-choice and written response class test | 30% | Week 3 |
| Assessment 4 Essay | 1,500 word essay | 30% | Week 6 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE237 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.