Category: Specialized Subjects, Credit : 1,
Intensive summer lecture, time: 10:30-17:50, September 14, 15 & 16
Instructor: Diego Tavares Vasques
Subtitle: Introduction to Plants Systematics and Taxonomy
Category: Specialized Subjects, Credit : 1,
Intensive summer lecture, time: 10:30-17:50, September 14, 15 & 16
Instructor: Diego Tavares Vasques
Subtitle: Introduction to Plants Systematics and Taxonomy
Course Description
Evolution is an intriguing phenomenon that rules all biological events. The mechanisms controlling evolution are many in
nature and can be studied under different levels of complexity. In this course, theories of evolutionary genetics (such as
natural selection, adaptation, speciation, and others) will be explored in the context of the evolutionary history of plants.
Together, we will explore how changes in the life cycle have influenced the selective pressure plants have been exposed to,
how adaptations on nutrition and body structure have emerged through time and how the reproduction of these eukaryotic
organisms has had a deep influence on population genetics.
Objectives
By taking this course, you will not only learn basic key-concepts of evolution and plants diversity (important to understanding
many other subfields in Biology) but also step-up your baggage knowledge, connecting it to cutting-edge studies in this field.
Keywords: Plant diversity, evolution, systematics, Plant taxonomy 植物多様性、進化論、系統分類学、植物分類学
Course Schedule
Unity 1: Introductory class, The DNA molecule and its importance for evolution
- Course explanation
- Concept of evolution in Biology
- Introduction to plants’ diversity
- Evidences of Evolution
- Taxonomy and Systematics
Unity 2: The Land Plants
- Plants Life History – Alternate generations
- Mosses and its allies’ diversity
- Ferns and its allies’ diversity
- Leaf and stem morphology
Unity 3: The Seed Plants
- Gymnosperms and Angiosperms diversity
- Flower and Fruits morphology
- Pollination and seeds Dispersion
- Groups presentation
Field trip: Visit to the TMU Herbarium
Teaching Methods
Unity 1 focus on learning of basic concepts, such as natural selection, adaptation, plant taxonomy and systematics. Students
will learn how to read Phylogenetic trees and how plants diversity is organized in taxonomic categories. At the end of the
class, students will be divided in groups, and each group will be assigned with a land plant family for research.
out of class activity requirement
On the Unity 2, students will be introduced to the diversity of mosses and ferns, while discussing changes in the life history
of land plants and while learning how to describe sterile structures (i.e., leaves and stem) in the body of these plants. At the
end of the day, we will pay a visit to the TMU herbarium.
Unity 3 focus on the seed plants, and students will learn how to describe flowers and fruits. At the end of the class, groups
will give a short oral presentation of the taxonomy and systematics of the families they were assigned to. genetics (such as
natural selection, adaptation, speciation, and others) will be explored in the context of the evolutionary history of plants.
Together, we will explore how changes in the life cycle have influenced the selective pressure plants have been exposed to,
how adaptations on nutrition and body structure have emerged through time and how the reproduction of these eukaryotic
organisms has had a deep influence on population genetics.
Textbooks/Materials
None - required reading will be provided by the professor.
Reference Books:
Dawkins, R., & Wong, Y. (2010). The ancestor's tale: A pilgrimage to the dawn of life. Hachette UK.
Judd, W. S., Campbell, C. S., Kellog, E. A., Stevens, P. F., & Donoghue, M. J. (2015). Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic
Approach. Sinauer, 1st ed.
Ridley, M. (2004). Evolution. Oxford University press.
Simpson, M. G. (2010). Plant systematics. Academic press.
Assessment
Class attendance/participation - 30% Final project - 70%
Required background knowledge
Knowledge in biology, basic physiology or neurobiology
Kayo Satoh