PLANT SCIENCE

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr C C Wilcock

Pre-requisites

BI2001 or BI 20P1

Overview

This course covers the floristic regions of the world and, in particular, the biogeography of the Northern hemisphere. Special emphasis is given to the floras of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Discontinuous plant distributions, localised distributions and island floras are examined. The origin and evolution of the flora of the Mediterranean region is related to climate change. The course shows how British vegetation can be classified and gives practical experience of identification using the National Vegetation Classification scheme and MATCH computer programme. Resources for conservation are examined, including the role of botanic gardens and herbaria. UK Species Action Plans and the importance of biological information for successful species conservation is also discussed.

Structure

Thread I: 6 week course, 3 one-hour lectures per week and six hours per week of field trips, fieldwork and tutorials.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination for all candidates and a 1 hour examination on in-course material for those who failed this assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor D Robinson

Pre-requisites

BI 25P1 or SS 2002 or BI 2001. Other students may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the Head of School.

Overview

Primary production (The carbon cycle; Biomes; Seasonality; Scaling from leaf to biome); Water use (The hydrological cycle; Coupling between vegetation and atmosphere; Water in soil; Water use efficiency); Soil microbiology & Organic Matter decomposition (Decomposer organisms; Soil respiration; Decomposition kinetics; Root-microbe relations). Nutrient acquisition by plants (Nutrient demand; Nutrients in soil; Nutrient supply; Soil heterogeneity; Nutrient use efficiency). Secondary production (Effects of grazing on nutrient cycling; Energy and resource flow between trophic levels). Ecosystem sustainability, human impacts and feedback effects.

Structure

6 week course, Thread I – 17 one-hour lectures, 2 one-hour tutorials, 7 three-hour laboratory practical classes.

To pass this course a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination and 1 two-hour exam on in-course material for those who failed the assessment.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr J McDonald

Pre-requisites

BI 20P1 or BI 25P1. Other students may be admitted to the course at the discretion of the Head of School.

Overview

This course covers some major topics relating to plant survival and growth in different environments. It considers adaptations that have occurred in the evolution of plant structure and function with particular reference to morphological and physiological aspects pertaining to plant survival and efficiency of resource capture and use. The course comprises lectures, workshops and field excursions to coastal and woodland habitats.

Structure

6 week course, Thread II. Teaching hours vary with activity throughout the course (mostly lectures and workshops to begin with, followed by field excursions later in course).

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%) comprising 4 reports.

Resit: A two hour written exam for all candidates.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Dalrymple

Pre-requisites

BI 2001

Notes

Available only to students in programme year 3 or above.

Overview

Theories of plant community ecology: succession, gradients, niches, competition for resources, modelling ecological processes. Description of plant communities: methods of vegetation survey, classification and monitoring, including Phase II survey and the National Vegetation Classification. Numerical approaches to the analysis of plant community composition and to the relationship between vegetation and environment.

Structure

6 week course, Thread II - 3 one-hour lectures per week; 1 one-hour tutorial per week and 1 day of field work or practical exercise per week.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (67%) and in-course assessment (33%).

Resit: 1 two hour examination.

Credit Points

7.5

Course Coordinator

Dr M D Swaine

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

BI 20P1 or BI 2001

Notes

This course will be available in 2006/07 and every alternate year thereafter.

Alternative activities and/or venues may be made available to meet the requirements of disabled students.

Overview

Variation in forest structure, composition and soil conditions are studied at varying altitudes in the Auvergne, France. Factors influencing forest and soil are examined and the processes of succession at different altitudes compared. A short research project is completed. Tuition is given in tree identification, forest survey and sampling methods, soil profile interpretation and field-based soil analysis techniques.

Structure

8 days field work in early September.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Field course report (100%).

Resit: None

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr Jim McDonald

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Plant Biology, or Plant and Soil Science.

Overview

An independent research project and associated activities.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Project thesis.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor I J Alexander

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates in Plant Biology or Plant & Soil Science.

Overview

An in depth review of an area of plant biology research chosen in consultation with the Course Co-ordinator. Students are allocated individually to staff members who arrange tutorials and directed reading to introduce the topic. The student conducts a literature search and prepares an in-depth review essay.

Structure

6 week course, Thread I – a minimum of 3 tutorials over 6 weeks.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Essay (100%).