BIOL 4213 Plant Ecophysiology

The physiological basis for the interaction of plants with their environment. Included are discussions of the energy environment of the plant and how temperature, light, water status, soil conditions, etc. affect plant function and distribution.

Prerequisites
BIOL 2043 Biodiversity of Plants and Algae or permission of the instructor


Textbook
Plant Physiological Ecology
Hans Lambers, F. Stuart Chapin III, Thijs L. Pons
 
 
Lectures
Topics covered include:
     - Photosynthesis
     - Respiration
    - Water Relations
     - Energy Budgets
     - Mineral Nutrition
     - Growth and Allocation
    
   
 Labs
This course has a non-traditional laboratory component.
The class as a whole will design and conduct a suitable laboratory project over the course of the term. Each member of the class will be responsible for carrying out one aspect of the project. The time commitment for each member of the class will be equivalent to 3 hours per week. This time commitment can be fulfilled in the regular assigned lab slot for this course, or in any other time slot that is convenient. As part of this commitment, the class as whole must meet with me on a weekly basis to discuss progress and plan work for the subsequent week.

The project chosen by the class must meet three criteria:

1)   It must address some aspect of the material discussed in lectures

2)   The equipment needs and technical expertise required to complete this project must be available

3)   The project must be completed within the time frame allotted for this course

A written report in the form of a scientific research paper including: introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion and literature cited sections will be required. Three drafts of the report will be submitted. The first draft will include only the introduction and materials and methods sections and must be submitted before the research project is initiated (worth 5%). The second draft is due March 26 and must be a complete scientific paper including all the sections listed above (worth 5%). After each of the first two drafts, I will provide feedback on how the paper can be improved and a grade. The third draft will be due on April 9 and should incorporate the feedback I have given you on how the paper can be improved (worth 30%).

Evaluation
Midterm 1 15%
Midterm 2 15%
Lab Reports 40%
Final Exam 30%