Morphology A plant structure and development course concerned with both the fundamental form and the variation in form of root, stem and leaf of vascular plants. Particular attention is given to the developmental processes that are responsible for the diversity in plant form. Some consideration is given to the significance of structural variations to the environment in which a plant grows. The study of mature and developing vegetative and reproductive structures contributes to an understanding of some of the important trends in the evolution of land plants over the past 400 million years. The study of the interactions that determine the distribution and abundance of populations.
Emphasis is placed on discussion of experimental studies from current literature.
Offered in alternate years. The study of scientific principles of biological conservation. An examination of the structure of eukaryotic nuclear genomes. Emphasis will be placed on the human genome. One three-hour lecture per week.