Plant Diversity

Offered Fall Semesters

Course # BIOL 02.201

Prerequisite (as of Fall 2008):  Biology 4 - Global Ecology (BIOL 01.204)

Instructor:   Dr. Terry O'Brien
Office:
  201H Science Building

Phone: 856 256-4500 ext. 3587
obrien@rowan.edu

WWW links related to this course

Trees of the Campus
 

Description:

This laboratory course considers the patterns of plant diversity, the processes that generate and maintain plant diversity and the relationship of plant diversity to humans.  It is an interdisciplinary course in which the major groups of plants are viewed in a variety of ways, including diversity in morphology, physiology, evolution, ecology and human economy.  Students who complete this course will have a better understanding of the types and sources of plant diversity, and the role of human and nonhuman factors in affecting plant diversity.  4 s.h.

How is this course different than Introductory Botany?  Plant Diversity has a narrower scope than Introductory Botany, and specifically targets the patterns, processes and types of plant diversity.  Introductory Botany is a broader survey of all aspects of plant biology.  Although the diversity of plants is considered in Introductory Botany, it is not as intensively evaluated as it is in Plant Diversity.  

Handouts (.pdf format; use Adobe Acrobat to view them):

Syllabus (Fall 2007)

Schedule at a Glance, and Assigned Readings (Part 1, Fall 2007)

Schedule at a Glance, and Assigned Readings (Part 2, Fall 2007)

Schedule at a Glance, and Assigned Readings (Part 3, Fall 2007)

Schedule at a Glance, and Assigned Readings (Part 4, Fall 2007)
 
Lecture: Introduction to Course

Lab: Assessing Land Value

Quadrat Values from GWMA

Lecture: Origins of Agriculture

Handout: Origins of Agriculture

Lecture: Primary Plant Chemistry

Handout: Primary Plant Chemistry

Lecture: Secondary Plant Chemistry

Handout: Secondary Plant Chemistry

Reading: Williams and Schlenker (Fiber)

Reading: Williams and Schlenker  (Protein)

Reading: Margen

Lab: Leaf Colors and Tree Latitudes

Statistics for Leaf Colors and Tree Latitudes


Lecture: Plant Cells

Handout: Plant Cells

Lecture: Development and Plant Tissues
 
Handout: Development and Plant Tissues

Lab: Introduction to Microscopy and Plant Cells

Lecture: Photosynthesis

Handout: Photosynthesis

Study Questions for Exam 1

Lecture: Shoots and Primary Growth

Handout: Shoots and Primary Growth

Lecture: Wood and Secondary Growth

Handout: Wood and Secondary Growth

Lab: Wood and Bark

Lecture: Roots and Mineral Nutrition

Handout: Roots and Mineral Nutrition

Lecture: Leaves and Transpiration

Handout: Leaves and Transpiration

Suggested Answers and Comments: Exam 1

Study Questions for Exam 2

Lecture: Plant Development and Behavior

Handout: Plant Development and Behavior

Assignment: Topic and References for Independent Project

Lecture: Life Cycles and Plant Diversity

Handout: Life Cycles and Plant Diversity

Lecture: Genetically Engineered Plants

Handout: Genetically Engineered Plants

Lab: C-Ferns and Battle of the Sexes

C-Fern Data (for assignment)

Lecture: Patterns and Processes of Plant Variation

Handout: Patterns and Processes of Plant Variation

Lecture: Fungi

Handout: Fungi

Study Questions for Exam 3

Suggested Answers and Comments: Exam 3

Assignment: Presentation of Independent Project

Presentation Schedule (Corrected)

Lecture: Gymnosperms

Handout: Gymnosperms

Lecture: Angiosperms

Handout: Angiosperms

Handout: On Reading Assigned Papers

Reading for November 30  (Global Diversity in the Near Future)

Reading for December 4 (Phytochemicals and Cancer)

Reading for December 11 (Ecological Impact of GM Plants)

Reading for December 13 (Spices and Herbs in Our Diets)

Study Questions for the Final Exam

Looking for the Presentation Schedule?  See about 10 lines up.

Looking for the schedule for this section of the course?  See near the top of the list.

Looking for Suggested Answers for Exam 3?  See about 10 lines up.


Photos from Classes:

Fall 2007, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2007, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2007, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2007, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2006, at Glassboro Wildlife Managment Area

Fall 2006, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2006, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2006, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2006, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2004, at Longwood Gardens

Fall 2004, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2004, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2004, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2004, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Fall 2004, at Glassboro Wildlife Management Area

Spring 2002, at Longwood Gardens

This page was last revised November 2007