PLBIO 2440

Last Updated

  • Schedule of Classes - September 9, 2021 7:14PM EDT
  • Course Catalog - September 9, 2021 7:15PM EDT

PLBIO 2440
Evolutionary Plant Biology

Course information provided by the 2020-2021 Catalog.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of evolution with an emphasis on plants as excellent exemplars for understanding evolutionary theory and the interpretation of data pertaining to evolution. The topics will include population generics, developmental biology (including comparative embryology and anatomy), theories about speciation (including allopatric, sympatric, and peripatric models), the empirical study of speciation (examples include autopolyploidy, and allopolyploidy), macroevolution (including species selection, kin selection, and multilevel selection theory), the evolution of multicellularity, physical constraints on evolution, evolutionary ecology, and major evolutionary transitions as recorded in the fossil record.


Outcomes

  • Think critically about evolutionary theory.
  • Articulate the various lines of evidence supporting the theory of evolution: evidence drawn from molecular biology, population genetics, comparative studies (of mbryology, morphology, and anatomy), biogeography, and the fossil record.
  • Appreciate the importance of plants to understanding evolutionary theory and learn that much of evolutionary theory is incomplete when viewed in the absence of understanding plant biology.

Distribution Category (OPHLS-AG)

When Offered Spring.

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi:

  •   Regular Academic Session. 

  • 3 Credits Graded

  •  2757 PLBIO 2440   LEC 001

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  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    Enrollment preference given to Plant Sciences majors. No remote access for this course, as the department has deemed it impossible for students to satisfactorily meet learning goals if enrolled remotely.
    Enrollment limited to students who are able to attend in-person classes in the Ithaca area.