A long-term study of amphibian growth and development is also designed and conducted. This one semester course is designed for non science majors. The course explores the interface between humankind and the plant kingdom. Through lectures, discussion of readings, and demonstrations, students study the impact that plants have had on the development of human culture. Particular attention is devoted to the historical basis of our current understanding of plant structure, function and use.
Additional discussions focus on the methods of inquiry in the plant sciences.
Considerable hands-on work with plants is required, and several field trips are taken. In collaboration with another member of the class, a course project in the form of a poster presentation or a multimedia program is required. This course is offered for majors and non-majors in alternate years. The first part of the course focuses on microevolution-genetic change within populations including natural selection, adaptation and genetic drift. In the second half of the course, the focus is on our understanding of the major events and trends in evolutionary history.