Biology 3404F Evolution of Plants Fall 2018 Description: This course provides an introduction to the major groups of photosynthetic organisms – formerly all called “plants” (Kingdom Plantae) but now classified in three Domains and numerous Kingdoms. These organisms feed the world, produce many of today's medicines, and provide numerous ecosystem functions. Lectures emphasize diversity, evolutionary relationships and importance, and labs emphasize morphology and recognition. There is no text, but key references will be supplied online or on reserve in Taylor Library. 2 lecture hours, 3 laboratory hours, 0.5 course. Note: This is a lab and essay course, so under Senate rules you must pass both the lab (30%) and essay (15%) components to pass the course. Instructor: Dr. R. Greg Thorn, Department of Biology 3047 Biological & Geological Sciences Building <
[email protected]> 661-2111 ext. 88647 http://publish.uwo.ca/~rgthorn Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30-10:30 a.m., BGS 0165 NOTE: First Lecture is Thursday September 6 Labs: Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., BGS 3000 NOTE: First Lab is Wednesday September 12 [Lab coats/safety glasses not required] Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:00-1:00 p.m. (or by appointment) Laboratory Teaching Assistant: Karina Kaberi <
[email protected]> Learning Outcomes At the end of this course, successful students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of phylogenetic analysis (estimation of evolutionary relationships) by recognizing monophyletic and nonmonophyletic groups and interpreting the relationships shown in exemplar phylogenetic trees. 2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequence by selecting and obtaining taxon and data sets from online sources, constructing sequence alignments, creating phylogenetic trees from these data using a variety of suitable algorithms, and interpreting and evaluating the trees produced.