Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Course Description

This course will introduce you to the science of plant biology (a.k.a. "botany"). Many people-- even many scientists—perceive plants as passive parts of the scenery, or as habitat, or as food, and not much more. In this class, we will learn to “think like a plant” by examining the structure, function, complexity and beauty of plants. We will study subcellular structures, cells, tissues, organs, and interactions of a variety of vascular plants, considering how plants sense and respond to their environments. At the same time we will consider plants’ importance in the lives of humans (including ourselves). The topics we study should illustrate the crucial link between knowledge of plant biology and living in society as informed people. Finally, we will use plant biology as a model for studying how contemporary science is done, and communicated, by reading and critically examining texts from primary and popular literature, by practicing experimental design both in discussion and in the lab, and by writing about plants for a variety of audiences.

Student Outcomes

  • We will establish a welcoming & collaborative learning community with other students, faculty, and staff to pose and answer a wealth of questions about plants (and the process of science).
  • Students will be able to write and speak about core concepts in plant biology, including: the structure and function of plant cells, tissues, and systems; processes of plant growth, development, and reproduction; and plants’ perception of and responses to their environments. Our coverage of these concepts will fit within the overall frameworks of adaptation, biodiversity, and plant-human interactions.
  • Students will be able to summarize and critique the hypotheses, methods, results, and conclusions of primary scientific research articles from botanical journals, orally and in writing.
  • Students will be able to design and conduct short experiments, analyze data, andinterpret results. Students will practice some of the field and lab techniques that botanists use to answer questions about plants and plant products.
  • Students will write a variety of scientific pieces, geared toward scientific and general audiences
  • Finally, I hope that you will all recognize some common plant species, begin to appreciate the diversity of plant life around you, and consider the world from a plant’s-eye view. I hope that you will find the study of plants as rewarding and challenging as I do.

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