Biology of Plants

Code:

BIOL1014

Acronym:

BIOL1014

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	203	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course provides coverage of major topics in plant biology and is intended for students in life sciences. An emphasis is placed on plant morphology and plant structure including cell types, tissues, and tissue systems, reproduction and development. Students are also given an overview of the incredible diversity of plants and how plants evolved and shaped the world. The course gives hands-on experience in studying the structure, morphology and diversity of a wide range of plant species.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

After successfully completing the course students are expected to:

• Understand the basic organization of the plant body,
• Recognize cells, tissues and plant tissue systems,
• Identify basic types of plant structures,
• Interpret plant structures and adaptations as responses to the environment,
• Thoroughly understand the plant morphology terminology
• Describe a plant using botanical terms, and identify a plant using the key mechanics,
• Recognize large and common families of plants,
• Exhibit basic understanding of the principles of phylogenetic systematic and of the methods and principles of classification and nomenclature,
• Demonstrate knowledge in the current understanding of plant phylogeny and evolution.

 

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

.

Program

Plants are central to the maintenance of life on earth and for the basis of agricultural production.

Plant Biology is a very broad discipline that covers the study of the morphology, anatomy and structure, evolution and diversity of plants. Therefore, the course covers plant structure including cell and tissue types, tissue systems, development of primary and secondary tissues, and structure of vegetative and of reproductive organs; this course combines comparative morphology and life cycles including bryophytes and vascular plants. The course continues with basic and contemporary systematic principles and methods as applied to plants, including classification, identification skills, phylogenetics, and surveys of important families of major groups of plants via lectures and lab practice.

Mandatory literature

Dickison William C.; Integrative plant anatomy. ISBN: 978-0-12-215170-5
Esau Katherine; Plant Anatomy
Walter S. Judd, Christopher S. Campbell, Elizabeth A. Kellog, Peter F. Stevens, Michael J. Donoghue; Systematics - A phylogentic approach, Sinauer Associates, 1999. ISBN: 13: 978-0878934072

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical lectures supported by multi-media aids and practical laboratory work.

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	114,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Enrollment in University courses requires regular class attendance as well as careful preparation. Therefore, students are expected to attend all their scheduled classes.

However, lectures are facultative and absences from practical classes are allowed to a maximum of 25% of the possible classes.
That is, if students attend less than 75% of their possible practical/laboratory classes they are excluded from final assessment.

Attendance of the practical classes should be done exclusively at the PL class in which each student is enrolled, as published in the Sigarra.
For the good functioning and productivity of the course, it is not allowed students to attend practical in classes in which they are not enrolled.

Students who have obtained a valid attendance in the previous academic year can be exempted from attending practical classes. This eventual granting of exemption will result in the opening of the PLD class for registration at Sigarrra.
In academic years in which practical classes are not exempt,  the PLD class will not allow enrollment.

Calculation formula of final grade

Written Exam covering Theoretical subjects and Practical laboratory work, 20 points.

For approval the Final Classification must be equal to or higher than 10 values (9.5 rounded up to 10).

Examinations or Special Assignments

.

Internship work/project

.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Written Exam covering Theoretical subjects and Practical laboratory work, 20 points.

For approval the Final Classification must be equal to or higher than 10 values (9.5 rounded up to 10).

Classification improvement

Written Exam covering Theoretical subjects and Practical laboratory work, 20 points.

For approval the Final Classification must be equal to or higher than 10 values (9.5 rounded up to 10).

 

Observations

Professor responsible for responding to student questions in person: Sílvia Coimbra e Rubim Almeida