BIOL 2204: Plant Biology
Effective date
September 2020
Description
This course examines the classification, systematics, structure and function, evolutionary origins, adaptational trends, and ecological roles of plants.
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
BIOL 1100 and BIOL 1200 both with a C+.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe evolution in plants
- Describe the roles of plants in ecological systems
- Compare and contrast major plant groups
- Analyze the structural characteristics of plant cells, tissues, and organs
- Explain the function and process of plant life mechanisms (e.g. photosynthesis/transport of water)
- Use a dichotomous key to identify unknown plants
- Evaluate scientific journals and hypotheses regarding evolution or ecological systems in plants
- Carry out field activities and laboratory activities using appropriate scientific methodology to investigate plants
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Clinical, Lab, Rehearsal, Shop, Kitchen, Simulation, Studio: 60
Total Hours: 120
Instructional Strategies
This course will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and research in a classroom and laboratory setting.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Evaluation Plan
Type
|
Percentage
|
Assessment activity
|
Lab Work
|
30
|
comprehensive lab exam, assignments, quizzes
|
Assignments
|
15
|
presentations and/or papers from diverse topics in botany
|
Midterm Exam
|
15
|
assesses first third of course material
|
Midterm Exam
|
15
|
assesses second third of course material
|
Final Exam
|
25
|
comprehensive final exam
|
Course topics
- Evolutionary origin of plants, speciation, mutation, natural selection, and adaptation
- Hardy-Weinberg principle
- Plant ecology including nutrient cycling, competition, adaptations for dispersal, biodiversity, extinction, and conservation
- Plant cells (structure, function, growth, and division)
- Plant body (cell and tissue types, shoots and roots, primary structure and development, secondary growth)
- Major plant groups including nonvascular plants, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, and angiosperms emphasizing phylogenetic relationships and morphological characteristics
- Energy metabolism in plants including the multiple pathways of photosynthesis and cellular respiration
- Transport of water, minerals, and sugars through the plant body
- Plant nutrition (and alternate nutritional modes), growth, and development
- Plant reproduction including sexual and asexual
- Recombinant DNA technology, genomics, and plant biotechnology
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/.
- To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.