Description
Plants
Module title | Plants |
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Module code | BIO1338 |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Professor John Love (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 170 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
This module aims to introduce you to the important concepts, techniques and applications of modern plant science, and to explore the impact of plants on the biosphere, agriculture and society.
In order to take BIO1338 you should normally have an A Level (or equivalent) in Biology.
Module aims - intentions of the module
As primary producers, plants are fundamental to life on Earth. Stage 1 “Plants” aims to provide you with a fundamental understanding of important topics in plant science including the evolution of plant cells, the basic morphology of different plant groups, the physical constraints that influence the diversity of plant forms, the environmental and endogenous regulators of plant growth and plant reproduction. The importance of light, CO2 and water for plant life, evolution and morphology will be explored against the background of environmental change. Light sensing, photosynthesis, and the strategies that plants employ to maximise carbon capture and water use efficiency will be explored. Using pertinent case-studies and research, we will investigate the molecular and physiological basis for human exploitation of the plant world through agriculture, plant breeding, GM technology and Synthetic Biology. Lectures will be illustrated with hands-on materials when possible and supplemented by practical classes in which you will perform experiments to expand and integrate your theoretical knowledge, further your awareness of the scientific method and take part in self-directed or/and guided discussion of results to increase your understanding of the topics under investigation. You are expected to supplement knowledge gained from lectures by self-directed reading from textbooks and literature appropriate to the level (e.g. reviews and selected primary sources).
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe the basic biology of different plant groups and of the plant cell
- 2. Understand the biophysical constraints to plant evolution and their effects on plant structure, physiology and growth
- 3. Discuss photosynthesis and water-relations in lower and in higher plant groups
- 4. Explain plant reproductive strategies, including the alternation of generations and pollination syndromes
- 5. Describe how plants sense and transduce environmental and endogenous stimuli to optimise growth
- 6. Outline the different ways in which humans exploit the plant world
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Explain plant science, including essential facts and theory in molecular biology, cell biology and physiology
- 8. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of current research and applications in plant science with reference to textbooks, guided observation and learning activities
- 9. With some guidance, deploy core practical skills that are commonly used in plant science research, and appreciate the theoretical basis of the techniques learned and the context in which they are applied
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. Integrate and communicate scientific ideas effectively by written, oral and visual means
- 11. With some guidance, study autonomously and undertake experiments in plant science
- 12. With direction, select and properly manage information drawn from textbooks, practical research experience and the internet
- 13. Interact effectively in a group to perform specified tasks
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
The syllabus will include lectures and practical classes that address the following topics:
- Plant evolution – physical constraints and selective pressures – interaction with other organisms.
- Plant cell structures and continuous embryogenesis – vacuole; cell wall; chloroplasts; meristems
- Diversity of plant structures from a basic pattern – root/shoot polarity and vascular plant cell types.
- Plant anatomy and branching.
- Light – photoreceptors, the chloroplast and photosynthesis (C3, C4 and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism).
- Plant metabolism and secondary products.
- Water relations.
- Plant growth regulators (with practical class)
- Alternation of generations and reproductive strategies, including pollination syndromes.
- Forward and reverse genetics.
- Domestication, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL), plant breeding and agriculture.
- Genetic modification (GM) and Plant Synthetic Biology.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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49 | 101 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 27 | Laboratory practicals and group discussion (9 x 3 hours) |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Practical data handling and writing-up |
Guided Independent Study | 41 | Lecture consolidation and reading |
Guided Independent Study | 30 | Revision |
Assessment
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Practical class lab notebook | 1 lab notebook | 6-12 | Oral |
Mid-term module examination (MCQ) | 1 hour | 1-8, 12 | Oral and written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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20 | 80 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Practical class booklet and reports (continuous assessment) | 20 | Continuous assessment | 1-2, 5, 8-13 | Oral and written |
Centrally timetabled examination (MCQ) | 80 | 1 hour | 1-8, 12 | Written |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Practical class booklet and report (continuous assessment) | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Centrally timetabled examination | Essay examination (1 hour; one of three questions) | 1-8, 10, 12 | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The practical assessment is not deferrable because of its practical nature. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Morris et al. (2015) Biology; How Life Works, 2nd Edition (Freeman); Ch. 29-34.
- Taiz et al. (2015) Plant Physiology and Development, 6th Edition (Sinauer).
- Hodson & Bryant (2012) Functional Biology of Plants (Wiley).
- Campbell NA, Reece JB (2008) Biology, 8th Ed. Pearson. ISBN 0-321-53616-7/0-321-53616-9
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Module has an active ELE page
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Hodson MJ and Bryant JA (2012) Functional Biology of Plants. Wiley-Blackwell. http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-047069940X.html
- Smith et al. (2010) Plant Biology. Garland Science. http://www.garlandscience.com/product/isbn/9780815340256
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 4 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 01/05/2012 |
Last revision date | 19/03/2019 |