This course is designed as an introduction to the evolution and diversity of plants and is appropriate for students new to the sciences who are curious about plants, as well as students seeking to pursue degrees in botany, natural resource management and environmental studies. Weekly lectures based on the classic botany textbook (Raven and Eichhorn, 8th ed) will survey the major groups of the Plant Kingdom including bryophytes, seedless vascular plants, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. Students will learn about plant evolution and diversity, life cycles, growth and development and physiology. Students will examine the form and function of plant organs, cells, and tissues using fresh plant material and through weekly, self-paced, virtual labs. Students will also contribute weekly photos and observations of native plants and fungi in their local neighborhood or nearby parks using the popular biodiversity social networking app called iNaturalist.
The course is an online offering. To be successful in this program, students will need access to reliable high-speed internet and a computer. Students can expect a blend of ~2 hours every each week of synchronous (scheduled) class using Zoom and ~8-10 hours a week of asynchronous work completing assignments and studying plants in the local environment.
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Botany; Ecology; Environmental Sciences; Natural Resource Management