Taxonomy, phylogeny and morphology of vascular plants. Lab permits detailed observations of selected species. Biology majors can utilize information about vascular plants especially within a framework of evolutionary history. Plants exert the dominant role in terrestrial habitats, and a knowledge of plants, particularly in the topics and on islands, is particularly useful. Lecture is taught by lecturing, but after introductory meetings most lectures are conducted by the students.
Lab involves the study of prepared specimens and the collection of local materials.
The student gains practice with concepts of evolution, using vascular plants as models. The students gain practice in speaking and presenting information. The students continue to learn phylogeny of the plant kingdom. The students continue to learn organism morphology. The students learn to associate specific plants and the ecosystems which they inhabit.