BOTANY (BOT–Arts and Science)

Note: Four semester hours of biological science or permission of instructor is minimum prerequisite for all courses at 400-level and above.

401/501 Plant Ecology (3)

Studies of plant communities, populations, and individuals in relation to their environment. Prerequisite: BOT 115 or 191, BOT 204, or ZOO 206, two advanced courses in biological science or permission of instructor. Laboratory option available as BOT 436, 437. Offered every year spring semester.

402/502 Plant Anatomy (3)

Study of structural characteristics of plant cells organized into functional tissue groups within organs comprising plant bodies. Emphasis placed on identification of plant cell types using histochemistry and light microscopy, how various combinations of cell types form functional vegetative tissues, and how these functional tissues are organized within leaves, stems, and roots to form integrated plant bodies that are able to survive in diverse environments. (2 Lec. 1 Lab) Prerequisite: BOT 203 or permission of instructor. Offered odd year spring semesters.

403/503 Plant Development (3)

Study of growth and development of plants. Emphasis placed on methods of study and analytic models and genetic analysis of the growth and development of plant embryos, roots, stems, leaves and reproductive organs. Prerequisite: BOT 402 and 425, or permission of instructor. Offered odd year fall semesters.

409/509 Morphology of Vascular Plants (4)

Structure, reproduction, life histories, and possible evolutionary relationships of vascular plants with special attention given to Angiosperms. Prerequisite: BOT 312 or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered infrequently on basis of demand.

415/515 Techniques in Plant Biotechnology (3)

A laboratory-discussion course that involves students in the methods involved in plant biotechnology, such as plant tissue culture, protoplast technology, DNA isolation, PCR gene cloning, sequencing DNA, and hybridizations. Discussions relate to significance of methods, implementation of technology in the marketplace, political issues relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), genomics, and current events in the field of biotechnology. Prerequisite: a course in genetics, cell biology, biotechnology, or equivalent. Offered even year spring semesters.

421/521 Advanced Mycology (3)

Analysis of contemporary issues in mycological research. Class centers on laboratory project or field research. Prerequisite: BOT 203, 312, or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered infrequently on basis of demand.

424/524 Biological Instrumentation (4)

Theory and application of modern biological instrumentation and techniques such as spectrophotometers, pH meters, thermocyclers, and DNA sequencers. Basic and advanced skills including the use, maintenance and calibration of biological instruments. Prerequisites: BOT/MBI/ZOO 115/116 or BOT 191 or MBI 201 or MBI 202 or ZOO 113/115 or ZOO 114/116 or equivalent, CHM 141/142 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with MBI 424/524 and ZOO 424/524. Offered fall semester of even years.

425/525 Plant Physiology (4)

Covers a broad range of topics from molecular to whole plant level, focusing on the relationship between structure and function in plants. Includes detailed coverage of modern theoretical aspects and modern experimental methods in lectures and weekly laboratory sessions where writing is an important component. Topics covered are presented in the light of fundamental physical, chemical, and thermodynamic principles. Prerequisite: BOT 203 and organic chemistry (CHM 231) or equivalent. Offered even year spring semesters.

431/531 Global Plant Diversity (3)

Research-focused seminar on floristic, ecological, and cultural influences on global patterns of plant diversity, especially in tropical regions. Comparative topics include the role of disturbances and global environmental change. Prerequisite: BOT 115, 191, or higher, GEO 121 or higher, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 431.

432/532 Ecoregions of North America (3)

Ecological study of vegetation that applies an understanding of climate, soils, and physiography across the continent toward interpreting major vegetation types and local patterns of diversity. Discussions and field work focus on current research and conservation issues. Required field trip. Prerequisite: BOT 115, 191, or higher; GEO 121 or higher; or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 432/532.

434/534 Plant Ecology Methods - Community Analysis (1)

Sprint course to introduce methods of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting ecological data on plant communities. Offered odd year spring semesters.

437/537 Field Methods in Population Ecology (1)

A seven and one-half week sprint course designed to introduce field and lab methods used to sample plant and animal populations and quantify interspecific competition. Prerequisite: a course in ecology. Cross-listed with ZOO 437/537. Offered odd year spring semesters.

467/567 Conservation Biology (3)

Principles of ecology and organismal biology applicable to conservation of uncommon plant and animal populations or ecosystems in relation to anthropogenic threats and relevant legislation. Prerequisites: an introductory course in biology and ZOO 204 or BOT 401 or equivalent. Cross-listed with ZOO 467/567.

470/570 Advanced Botany Field Trip (1-8; maximum 8)

Field trips for advanced botany students. Prerequisite and credit vary each time course offered. Continuing prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

481/581 Theory of Electron Microscopy (2)

Principles and theory of scanning and transmission electron microscopy and advanced microscopies. Cross-listed with ZOO 481/581. Offered every spring semester.

482/582 Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory (2)

Practical course providing training in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sample preparation, SEM operation, darkroom work, manuscript preparation, and an individual research project. Cross-listed with ZOO 482/582. Prerequisite or corequisite: BOT 481/581 and permission of instructor. Offered every fall semester.

483/583 Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory (2)

Practical course in transmission electron microscopy: specimen preparation microscope usage, data collection, and photographic plate preparation. Prerequisite or corequisite: BOT 481/581 and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with ZOO 483/583. Offered every spring semester.

496/596 Biodiversity of Kenya (5)

Intensive field workshop on: 1) the ecology of tropical ecosystems in Kenya; 2) indigenous human relationships with Kenyan environments; and 3) conservation issues from interdisciplinary perspectives. Includes pre-trip seminars that introduce basic concepts in Kenya’s ecology, a two-week intensive field experience in Kenya, and follow-up discussions and project presentations. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 496/596.

600 Directed Study and Research (1-5; maximum 10)

Open to senior majors.

605 Advanced Molecular Biology (3)

In-depth study of genome organization and gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, with an emphasis on regulatory mechanisms. Prerequisite: graduate status, a course in molecular genetics, biochemistry, or cell biology, and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with MBI 605 and ZOO 605. Offered even year spring semesters.

606 Advanced Cell Biology (3)

Advanced level study of molecular basis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure/function relationships. Prerequisite: graduate status, course in molecular genetics, cell biology, or biochemistry, and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with MBI 606 and ZOO 606. Offered even year fall semesters.

621 Advanced Plant Taxonomy (3)

Principles of classification with emphasis on modern approaches to study of evolution and relationships of flowering plants. Laboratory study considers major families of flowering plants and their phylogenetic position. Prerequisite: three advanced courses in biological science including course in taxonomy or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered Offered spring semester of even years.

630 Topics in Botany for Teachers (4)

Under this number several topics of special interest to teachers may be presented. Examples include dendrology, plant structure and function, survey of plants, plant tissue culture, plant biology, plant ecology, and others. Available only to students in MAT biological sciences program. Prerequisite: BOT 115 and 116 or 191 or equivalent.

650 Seminar in Molecular Biology (1)

Discussion of current literature in molecular biology. Prerequisite: graduate standing. Cross-listed with CHM 650, MBI 650, and ZOO 650. Offered every semester.

660 Graduate Colloquium (1; maximum 4)

Professional development for graduate students.

665 Plant Biosystematics (3)

Examination of species concepts and factors affecting formation of species including isolating mechanisms, hybridization, polyploidy, and apomixis. Traditional and molecular lines of evidence and phylogenic analyses emphasized. Prerequisite: three advanced courses in biological science.

671 Population and Community Ecology (4)

Principles and applications of population and community ecology: population dynamics, direct and indirect species interactions, food webs, species diversity. Prerequisites: at least one course in general ecology; calculus recommended. Cross-listed with MBI 671 and ZOO 671.

672 Ecosystem and Global Ecology (4)

Structure, dynamics and management of ecosystems and the biosphere, including food web interactions, nutrient cycling, ecosystem functioning, and biogeochemical cycles at local, regional and global scales. Prerequisites: at least one course in general ecology and general chemistry. Cross-listed with MBI 672 and ZOO 672. Offered every spring semester.

700 Research for Master’s Thesis (1-12; minimum 6, maximum 12)

720 Graduate Seminar (1-2; maximum 8)

Topics for advanced study in following selected fields of plant science: A. Cellular/Structural, B. Molecular/Physiological, C. Systematic/Ecological. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biological science.
720A Cellular/Structural (1-2)
720B Molecular/Physiological (1-2)
720C Systematic/Ecological (1-2)

750 Advanced Topics in Botany (1-5; maximum 20)

Study of specialized topics from current research in the following areas:
750A Anatomy
750B Bioinformatics
750C Biological Science Education
750D Development
750E Ecology
750F Evolution
750G Molecular Biology
750H Morphology
750I Mycology
750J Physiology
750K Systematics
750L Ultrastructure

790 Research in Botany (1-8; maximum 12)

850 Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1-16; minimum 16, maximum 60)