An Introduction to Plant Biology

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Special Information

For the planned field meeting on Arthur Seat students will need sturdy shoes and waterproof clothing. The short walk on designated paths will involve some uneven and steep ground.

Content of Course

1. What are plants? The variety of plant life; Non-flowering plants (algae, mosses and liverworts, ferns and horsetails) and flowering plants.

2. Plant Systematics/Taxonomy: how and why plants are classified, and the modern techniques used by systematic botanists.

3. Putting the pieces together: an introduction to plant morphology and anatomy. How plants have become more complex through time.

4. Making it all work: an introduction to plant physiology. Making food and releasing energy (photosynthesis and respiration). What controls flowering?

5. Plant ecology and the adaptations for different habitats.

6. Field meeting (if weather permits) on Arthur’s Seat – otherwise an indoor presentation about the local flora.

7. Bringing them home: the history of plant collecting - several centuries of exploration to enrich our gardens.

8. The poorly plant: plant pathology and plant diseases. Nutrient deficiencies. Problems caused by bacteria and virus: not so different from us after all.

9. The uses of plants: economic botany; a survey of the massive variety of ways in which we depend upon plants.

10. Seeing the real thing: a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden to view plants outdoors and/or in the glasshouses.

Teaching method(s)

Lectures and round-table discussions illustrated by PowerPoint presentations and one visit to the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the different groups of plants;

• Explain how plants are related to each other and to the rest of the living world;

• Understand how plants  work, their ecology and the diseases that can afflict them;

• Have an insight into the myriad variety of uses to which they can be applied.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Fletcher, H., 1970. Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 1670-1970. UK: HMSO.

• Moore, R et al., 1998. Botany. New York: McGraw-Hill (or a similar all-encompassing text book).

Web Sources

Relevant web sources will be provided with class notes.

Class Handouts

All PowerPoint presentations will be supplied to students.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.