BIOL 0203

Biology of Plants
Plants have been on Earth for 500 million years and account for over 400,000 of described species. In this course students will explore this incredible diversity of plants from an evolutionary, physiological, and ecological perspective. We will examine unique anatomical, physiological, and developmental characteristics of plants, as well as broad phylogenetic patterns in plant evolution, and engage with primary literature that emphasizes and builds upon lecture material. In lab, we will explore local habitats, identify common local wildflowers, ferns, mosses, and trees, and learn ecophysiological techniques in the lab to measure plant stress and performance. Finally, students will design and conduct a greenhouse experiment that examines the effect of an environmental variable on plant development, performance, and/or growth. (BIOL 0140 and BIOL 0145) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab