This course will examine past and present interactions between humans and plants with emphasis on major changes in civilization and cultures as a result of these interactions. The approach will be to consider several case studies of how unique structural and chemical properties of various plant organs have played a role in their use by humans. Not an acceptable course for students in B.Sc. Biology Programs.

This course supplies the tools needed to assess plant populations and communities quantitatively. Field work is carried out at semi-natural sites on campus to provide practical experience in data collection. These data are analyzed to address conceptual and practical issues raised in lectures. This course is especially valuable for students interested in plant or wildlife biology and in environmental management.

This course is designed for students who wish to understand how plants work, The physiological mechanisms driving plants to survive and develop from seed to adults are discussed. Photosynthesis, plant respiration, water and nutrient relations, and the control of growth and development by environmental and hormonal signals are explained through lectures and "hands-on" laboratories.

The intricate internal structure of plants is explored in this course. The development, pattern and significance of cells, tissues and organs will be emphasized as well as the histological and microscopal methods used to study them. The lab emphasizes interpretation of plant structure as it relates to function.

The interpretation of floral and vegetative morphology for purposes of classification and identification of flowering plants and conifers; flower and cone structure as related to function; principles of plant classification, fundamentals of nomenclature and economic importance of selected plant families are covered. Labs stress interpretation of plant form and plant identification at the ranks of family to species by use of a key to the flora of North-Eastern North America.

In this course the biology of organisms in the "least understood kingdom" will be presented. Elements of the basic architecture of individual fungal organisms will be explored, as well as topics including population biology, evolution, and systematics. The vast ecological and economic importance of the fungi will also be emphasized.

A review of the major groups of algae in terms of their molecular and cell biology, form and reproduction. Evolutionary and taxonomic relationships are discussed and representative taxa from marine and freshwater habitats are presented. Algal ecology and economic importance of select taxa are also included.

The structure, life history characteristics, adaptive strategies and phylogenetic relationships of the major groups of land plants will be presented. Emphasis is placed on the structural-functional and reproductive features that characterize each plant group, and which allow survival and persistence in a diversity of habitats.

An introduction to methods of preparing plant materials for microscopy. Modules will be chosen from the following topics: resin embedding techniques, paraffin embedding techniques; specialized techniques for light microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Students are expected to be familiar with basic plant structure. During course selection students must identify a course weight.

This course follows the developmental changes that take place in plants, and explores the molecular, biochemical and physiological mechanisms that are responsible for development. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of modern experimental methods and critical evaluation of data.

These courses, normally open to students who are in semesters 7 and 8, are specifically designed to encourage senior undergraduates to conduct research in an area of Plant Biology. The courses may be taken individually or in sequence. The two-course sequence is particularly valuable for students considering graduate work. When the two-course sequence is selected, BOT*4820 will put emphasis on reviewing the primary scientific literature, formulating hypotheses and the design of experiments. This course must be completed before registration in BOT*4830. In all instances, supervisory arrangements must be made at least one semester before starting the course; registration with the course coordinator is contingent on the availability and agreement of a faculty supervisor.

See BOT*4820.