Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 2 x 2 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 20 x 1 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Experiment and Report (2000 words) | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 2 Hours Timed assessment to cover learning outcomes of the experiment and report. Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Perform and evaluate quantitative experiments in plant physiology
2. Characterize anatomical features relevant to plant identification
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the biodiversity of the major groups of land flora
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, physiology, and utility of seed plants
Brief description
The module is a broad and up-to-date introduction to the evolution, biodiversity, physiology and human exploitation of the land flora. It will teach skills and knowledge to underpin careers in ecological surveying or management. At the same time, it will provide a foundation for those interested in plant science research or crop improvement.
Content
The module opens with the evolution of vegetation as a dominant factor in the planet’s history. Forms and life histories of the major classes of land flora, especially important angiosperm families, are outlined. Co evolution of seed plants and their insect or vertebrate pollinators is discussed. The biodiversity of vegetation is studied in practicals and the IBERS tropical glasshouse; acquired botanical skills will be assessed in a practical exam. Plant physiology content includes roles of hormones and circadian sensing in development and environmental responses. Ecological adaptations, such as specialised photosynthesis and drought tolerance, are explored in an experimental practical, which will be assessed as a scientific report. Mechanisms by which plants defend themselves against pests and pathogens are mentioned. The science behind exploitation of economic (including illicit) crops is introduced. Genetic modification is scientifically discussed along with other future routes to crop improvement.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Analysis of numerical data from practical sessions, including the use of spreadsheets. |
| Communication | Good scientific communication required in the experimental report assignment, and use of feedback provided via Turnitin. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback provided via Turnitin on the experimental report, or in practical sessions via demonstrators. |
| Information Technology | Use of information technology, including spreadsheets, required in researching and presenting the experimental reports. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Relevance of module skills to potential careers emphasized. |
| Problem solving | Experimental practical sets a problem requiring production and interpretation of data. |
| Research skills | Research skills associated with collation and processing of information required and feedback provided via Turnitin. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Module requires students to develop practical laboratory and field skills that are essential to many biological careers. |
| Team work | Experimental practical involves teams to plan and produce results. Peer groups compared via class data. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4