BIOL432 PLANT BIODIVERSITY
| Course Code: | 2380432 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | Biology |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. MUSA DOĞAN |
| Offered Semester: | Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
- To introduce the science and methods of plant systematics
- To provide an overview of diversity and evolution in the major subgroups
- To give the necessary tools to conduct a plant systematics project in the METU Campus
- To introduce the plants and communities of Turkey and emphasize the characters that identify them
- To think critically about systematic data in particular and scientific data in general
- To consider the implications of systematic data for other biological disciplines
Course Content
The theoretical foundations of plant taxonomy and the types of evidences used in constructing plant classification and identification procedures are explained. Variation in morphology, predominant breeding systems, dispersal syndromes and other features between families of vascular plants in Turkish flora are examined. Students learn key characteristics for identification of important families of ferns, allies, conifers and other flowering plants.
Course Learning Outcomes
This course provides the basis for understanding the major flowering plant families and their vegetative and reproductive morphologies in relation with their evolution. Therefore, at the course end students are expected to differentiate the major families of flowering plants of Turkey on the bases of their diagnostic characteristics. Further, students are also expected to gain the basic knowledge about plant taxonomy, nomenclature, biosystematics and the type of information used in plant biodiversity assessment.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | Perform basic laboratory and field techniques/approaches used in various branches of biology. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | Understand and apply principles of laboratory and field safety. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | Understand the inner workings of the scientific processes, think critically, and frame questions using experimental and theoretical approaches in biology. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | Proficiency in communicating issues in both English and Turkish. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | Read, and understand scientific communications from primary literature in biology. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | Identify and explain issues in biological sciences. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | Be ready to take new theoretical and technological challenges by recognizing the value and act upon the need for lifelong learning. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | Work as an individual, as well as a team member, and assume leadship when needed. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | Follow the rules of scientific ethics within their careers and professions. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution