BB531: Plants, protists and fungi (10 ECTS)

STADS: 04014601

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: bot@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
dahlgren@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to have fundamental knowledge of cell biology, evolution, classification, and systematics.

Course introduction
The aim of the course is to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the biology of plants, algae, protozoans, and fungi, and of their role in biological issues. The course further provides the student with basic skills in the identification of the organisms.

The course builds on the knowledge of cell biology, evolution, classification, and systematics acquired in the courses in biology and zoology in the first year (BB525 and BB537). The course gives an academic basis for further studies in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, population biology, and natural habitats in courses running in parallel to and later during the programme.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Enter into academic collaborations and structure personal learning.
• Provide skills in conducting experimental investigations, critically evaluate biological theories, and express, evaluate and solve biological problems.
• Provide knowledge and understanding of scientific theories, experimental methods, and current research topics in biology, and how these are employed in biological discussions.

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• describe the phylogenetic system and general trends in the evolution of the organisms, 
• make preparations for microscopic examination of the organisms,
• use the acquired knowledge for precise systematic determination by means of keys, and explain the criteria used for such determinations,
• analyse the morphology and anatomy of the organisms with identification of important structures and tissues,
• describe the variability and relevant structures of the organisms in a given taxon,
• analyse natural plant communities and identify important ecological interactions within these,
• evaluate the connection between form and function and the organisms’ adaptation to the ecosystem.

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

• The diversity of eukaryotes
• The biology of plants, algae, protozoans and fungi
• Systematic methodology with determination of selected organisms to genus or species level.

This includes a fundamental introduction to the organisms’

• systematics, taxonomy and evolution,
• composition, including molecular building blocks, anatomy, and morphology,
• development, growth and life cycles, and
• physiological and ecological function, as well as
• relevant aspects of the history and theoretical basis within the field.

Literature

• Evert & Eichhorn: Raven – Biology of Plants, Nyeste udgave.
• Freeman, Frederiksen m.fl.: Dansk Flora, Gyldendal.
• Kompendium på Blackboard.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:


Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 24 hours
Skills training phase: 66 hours, hereof:
 - Laboratory exercises: 36 hours
 - Excursion: 30 hours

Educational activities

Educational form

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.