Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
BIOL 3500
Descriptive
Plant Biology
Department
Biology
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
5.00
Start Date
End Term
201910
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
27
Contact Hours
Lecture/tutorial = 4 hours/wk
Laboratory/field trip = 3 hours/wk
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Tutorial
Learning Activities
- Lecture
- Practical laboratory work is integrated with the lecture material
- Group discussions
- Field trips/observations and/or video observation
- Self-study via print or online materials
- Reading assignments
- Group projects
Course Description
This course will examine the origins, evolution, diversity, anatomy, physiology and ecology of non-vascular plants, vascular plants, protists and fungi. Laboratory exercises will emphasize form, function, and biological diversity.
Course Content
An Introduction to Botany
- Evolutionary origins of plants
- Evolution of plant communities
- Human impacts on plant evolution and diversity
Biology of the Plant Cell
- Molecular composition of plant cells
- Structure of the plant cell
- The cell cycle
- Movement of substances in and out of cells
Plant Energetics
- Enzyme activity and regulation
- Respiration
- Photosynthesis
Plant Genetics and Evolution
- Asexual and sexual reproduction in plants
- Heredity and gene expression
- Recombinant DNA technology, biotechnology and genomics
- The process of evolution
- The tree of life
Fungal and Protist Diversity
- Taxonomy, nomenclature and classification
- Diversity of fungi
- Diversity of protists
Plant Diversity
- Diversity of non-vascular plants (bryophytes)
- Diversity of seedless vascular plants
- Diversity of gymnosperms
- Diversity of angiosperms
- Evolution of the fruit and flower
- The coevolution of plants and their pollinators
The Structure and Development of Angiosperms
- Early development of the plant body
- Cells and tissues of the plant body
- Structure and development of the root
- Structure and development of the shoot
- Secondary growth in stems
Plant Physiology
- Hormones and the regulation of plant development
- External factors and plant growth
- Plant nutrition and soils
Plant Ecology and Medicinal Plants
- Remedial plants: inflammation and central nervous system
- Psychoactive plants
- Ecosystem energetics, nutrient and material cycling
- Communities and ecosystems, global ecology and biomes
Learning Outcomes
- To examine the evolutionary origins of plants and the impacts humans have had on plant evolution and diversity.
- To describe the composition, structure and function of the plant cell.
- To explore the physiological processes of plants and their relationships to plant anatomy and structure.
- To study the genetics, systematics, and evolution of plants.
- To appreciate the diversity in form and function of the fungi, protists, and the major lineages of land plants.
- To understand the development and structure of the angiosperm plant body.
- To gain an understanding of the impacts plants have on humans.
- To explore the ecology of plant communities, ecosystems and biomes.
Means of Assessment
| Lab Practical & Examination | 15-30% |
| Class and Term Assignments | 15-25% |
| Midterm Examination | 20-30% |
| Final Theory Examination | 30-40% |
| Total | 100% |
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
Peter H. Raven, Ray F. Evert and Susan E. Eichhorn. Biology of Plants, Current Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, NY.
or other appropriate textbook chosen by the instructor.