BIOL 308(F) Integrative Plant Biology: Fundamentals and New Frontiers
Plants are one of the most successful groups of organisms on Earth and have a
profound impact on all life. Successful use of plants in addressing global problems and understanding their role in natural ecosystems depends on fundamental knowledge of the molecular mechanisms by which they grow, develop, and
respond to their environment. This course will examine the molecular physiology of plants using an integrative approach that considers plants as dynamic,
functional units in their environment. Major emphasis will be on understanding
fundamental plant processes, such as photosynthesis, growth and development,
water transport, hormone physiology, and flowering, from the molecular to the
organismal level. Environmental effects on these processes will be addressed in
topics including photomorphogenesis, stress physiology, mineral nutrition, and
plant-microbe interactions. Discussions of original research papers will examine
the mechanisms plants use to perform these processes and explore advances in
the genetic engineering of plants for agricultural, environmental, and medical
purposes. Laboratory activities stress modern approaches and techniques used in
investigating plant physiological processes.
Format: lecture/discussion/laboratory, six hours per week. Evaluation will be
based on lab reports, a term paper, and exams.
Prerequisites: Biology 202. Enrollment limit: 24 (expected: 12). Preference given to Biology majors.
Satisfies distribution requirement in major.