PLBIO 2480 - Vascular Plant Systematics

Spring. 4 credits.

Prerequisite: An introductory course in plant biology (PLBIO 2410 recommended), or permission of instructor. May not be taken for credit after PLBIO 2430.

J. I. Davis.

An introduction to the goals and methods of plant systematics, and a survey of the diversity of vascular plants, including ferns, conifers, flowering plants, and related groups. Lectures cover the processes of plant reproduction and evolution, patterns of plant diversity and biogeography, and the methods used to analyze and interpret these patterns and processes. The laboratory presents a survey of the vascular plants with a focus on major plant families, emphasizing prominent groups in natural habitats and in cultivation.

Outcome 1: Describe the goals of systematics and the methods used to analyze and interpret the history of plant diversification.

Outcome 2: Describe major patterns of plant biogeography and the processes that have generated these patterns.

Outcome 3: Discuss the nature of plant species, the principal mechanisms of plant speciation, and the methods used to describe, name, and classify species and higher-level groups.

Outcome 4: Dissect, interpret, and describe vegetative and reproductive structures of plants, using standard botanical terminology.

Outcome 5: Discuss the nature of plant species, and speciation.

Outcome 6: Distinguish 60 families of vascular plants.