BIOL 381B - Plant Diversity Lecture and Lab

Units: 5

Introduces the major taxonomic groupings of plants with emphasis on structure, function, adaptations, life histories, systematics, and evolution. Includes single cell to multicellular construction, water-to-land transition, structural adaptations, and trends in reproduction from cell division to simple sexual reproduction to well protected embryos and complex co evolution of pollinators. The laboratory component provides hands-on experience examining plants representing the diversity of plant life, including live cultures and specimens, microscopic materials, video clips, and preserved collections. Teaches how to identify major groupings and representative genera by their distinguishing characteristics. Also covers a variety of microscopic and macroscopic techniques that will be useful in plant identification.
Three hours of lecture. Four hours of laboratory. May not be taken for credit by students who received credit for: BIOL 381. Field trip(s) during or outside of class (including weekends) may be required.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 210 and BIOL 211