Postgraduate Course: Evolution of Plants (PLSC11002)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course aims to present the major events in plant evolution and to give an introduction to the origins and diversification of the most important groups of plants. |
| Course description |
The course aims to present the major events in plant evolution and to give an introduction to the origins and diversification of the most important groups of plants. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary significance of innovations that have led to the diversification of plants, such as eukaryote cell formation, the advent of chlorophyll, colonisation of the land, and the evolution of reproductive cycles culminating with seed formation. The evolution of different life-forms is investigated in major groups, including extinct groups represented by fossils, giving an overview of their major characteristics and relationships. A basic introduction is given for the classification and relationships of different plant groups, with a strong emphasis on the phylogeny of the angiosperms.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the major events in plant evolution, place them in chronological order and relate them to other events in Earth¿s history.
- Discuss the evolutionary processes that have given rise to plant diversity and evaluate the evidence for each.
- Identify the processes that might have given rise to observed diversity within any group of plants, and interpret homology from morphological data.
- Apply knowledge and skills to assign any plant to a broad taxonomic group (e.g., family) on the basis of its morphology.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Analysis
Evaluation
Critical analysis
Problem solving
Communication
Autonomy
Teamwork
Accountability |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alex Twyford
Tel: (0131 6)50 5455
Email: Alex.Twyford@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Claire Black
Tel: (0131 6)50 8649
Email: Claire.Black@ed.ac.uk |
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