Plant Diversity

Overview

This course will introduce students to the taxonomy and evolution of plants. Enabling them to find some order in the huge variety of plant species inhabiting the earth. Evidence for evolutionary relationships will be discovered through examining the structure, diversity of form and life cycles of major plant groups. This online course will require individuals to carry out practical observation – examining, photographing or drawing the plant groups to be studied. Emphasis will be on the major groups, since the subject area is so extensive.
This distance learning course enables you to study from home and participate in an online community of other students learning about Plant Diversity. The module is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment and a live webinar will be held at the beginning and end of the module.

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.

• Unit 1 - Biological Classifications and Plants through time
• Unit 2 - Alternation of Generations, Meiosis and Mosses
• Unit 3 - Transpiration and Ferns
• Unit 4 - Leaf stomata, Seedless vascular plants and Pines
• Unit 5 - Angiosperms, Flower dissection and Photosynthesis
• Unit 6 - Medels genetics explained, Biomes and Plant adaptions

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the major taxonomic groupings in the plant kingdom and their evolutionary relationship.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the diagnostic features and life cycles in selected major taxonomic groups.
3. Describe the reproductive strategies, flower structure and pollination mechanism of selected plant families.
4. Discuss adaptions and evaluate and compare survival strategies of a range of plant species. 

Assessments

1. Presentation slides (max. 12 slides) labelling 5 diagrams of plants from different Class of the plant kingdom (Thallophyta, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms) (25%)
2. Written assignment 1500 words - an illustrated profile of three plants, one from each of three of the following groups: halophytes, xerophytes, mesophytes, hydrophytes.  

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

• Hand Lens, and or Magnifying glass
• A general plant identification book: a number of titles will be available to access online for free via the module Reading List in Blackboard. In addition, a number of plant ID online resources are linked in the units of the module. If you want to buy your own plant identification guide(s) there are quite a few available at a reasonable price such as the DK guides, RHS, Collins and the Field Studies Council books.
• Week 2 - you will need to identify mosses. Again, there are plenty of reasonably priced ID guides available to buy from the publishers mentioned above. We recommend Mosses and liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a field guide by Ian Atherton; Sam D. S. Bosanquet; Mark Lawley; British Bryological Society.
• Week 3 – Food colouring and celery.
• Week 4 – If you have access to a microscope this will extend your learning experience. If not, it doesn’t matter, you can look at pictures instead.
• Week 5 – A large flower, e.g. a Lily.