BI3PB78-Diversity and Identification of Plants

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Some experience of study of plants (including herbarium volunteering) is desirable
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Alastair Culham
Email: a.culham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

An introduction to the diversification and identification of land plants, with emphasis on Flowering Plants, and the collections that underpin plant taxonomy. 

Aims:

The aims of this module are to develop skills in the identification of plants, to understand the basis of phylogenetic classification, to develop a working knowledge of the taxonomic system on which classification is based, to become familiar with the working of a herbarium. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

The students will be able to interpret reproductive and vegetative structure, to recognise the combinations of characters used to define plant families. They will be able to use keys to place an unknown plant in a named family. The students will be able to describe the principle morphological features of the principal groups of lycophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The underlying evidence and principles of molecular systematics, the construction of phylogenetic trees, and the interpretation of phylogeny within a taxonomic framework. The processes involved in running and managing a herbarium collection, the requirements to fulfil in making a good herbarium specimen. The students will be able to communicate plant diversity to a wide audience. 

Additional outcomes:

Familiarity with selected plant families worldwide. Familiarity with major UK plant collections. Communication of plant descriptions. Development of Web 2.0 skills

Outline content:

The module is based around the book Plant Systematics by M.G. Simpson and you will be set weekly reading from this. The basic structure of land plants will be introduced and the terminology used in descriptive botany explained. The characteristic features and relationships of the major groups of lycophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms are presented. Morphological features are considered by reference to living and preserved material and illustrations. Recognition of the major families will be taught as a particularly useful first step in plant identification. Selected temperate and tropical plant families will be discussed in terms of their defining characteristics, their role in major plant communities, and their economic importance. The interpretation of herbarium material. Molecular data handling, phylogenetic tree construction and the interpretation of phylogenies. Each week we will have a seminar session to discuss questions arising from the previous week’s reading.  In addition there will be practical use of herbarium and living plant specimens to aid in the understanding of botanical terminology and plant identification.   

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

: Lectures, laboratory practical classes and herbarium use.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Supervised time in studio/workshop	10	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	9
Wider reading (directed)	20	19
Peer assisted learning	16	14
Advance preparation for classes	15	15
Preparation for seminars	5	5
Preparation of practical report	8	12
Completion of formative assessment tasks	6	6
Revision and preparation			20
Total hours by term	90	90	20
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Class test administered by School	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework and in-class tests: 100%

Assignment 1 (due week 5 of Spring term) – Blog style account of the systematics of a selected plant family with critical evaluation of published evidence.

Assignment 2 (Summer term) Online Blackboard plant identification test.

Formative assessment methods:

In class tests, test written assignment, seminars.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

By written assignment

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  Plant Systematics by M.G. Simpson (3rd Edition, Kindle or print) £57.99 (Kindle edition).  Note: earlier editions cover most of the material and are an acceptable alternative.

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023