Postgraduate Course: Diversity of Cryptogams (PLSC11011)
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 | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course delves into the vast array of cryptogams. These incredibly diverse and important organisms include the algae, fungi, lichens and non-flowering plants such as bryophytes, ferns and gymnosperms - the conifers and allies. With an emphasis on practical sessions, and some local excursions, the mysteries of fascinating organisms are uncovered. |
| Course description |
The course presents several of the major groups of cryptogamic plants and fungi, allowing students to explore the morphology, evolution and ecological importance of these often-overlooked, but amazing organisms. The course covers a wide range of organisms traditionally placed in the informal 'cryptogam' group. This encompasses algae, fungi including lichens and non-flowering plants such as bryophytes, ferns and the gymnosperms.
Practical and theoretical work are interspersed to ensure students get time to see and understand exemplar taxa from each group and have time to explore the diversity of the groups for themselves in field or microscope work with a focus on understanding life-histories as a means to identification and ecosystem roles. Practical microscope work and field trips are integral to the course. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has a long legacy of taxonomic and conservation work in these taxon groups.
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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
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 18,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 60,
Fieldwork Hours 16,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 8,
Formative Assessment Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
75 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
80 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Guided lab assessment (20%). Short-answer paper on identification and interpretation of specimens and use of lab techniques [LO1, LO2].
Assessed practical lab 1 (30%). Short-answer paper on identification and interpretation of specimens, demonstrating critical and specialist understanding of the organismal groups to which they belong [LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4].
Assessed practical lab 2 (50%). Short-answer paper on identification and interpretation of specimens, demonstrating critical and specialist understanding of the organismal groups to which they belong [LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4]. |
| Feedback |
Guided lab assessment - Verbal group feedback following assessed practical, written summative feedback for final grade
Assessed practical lab 1 - Verbal group feedback following assessed practical, written summative feedback for final grade
Assessed practical lab 2 - Verbal group feedback following assessed practical, written summative feedback for final grade |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the features, boundaries and specialist terminology used for the major groups of cryptogam lineages (e.g. phyla or form groups in fungi and algae; classes in mosses).
- Apply standard and specialised techniques to identify major groups of cryptogams and demonstrate knowledge of diagnostic morphological features.
- Demonstrate a critical evolutionary understanding of the placement of different cryptogam groups and evidence for relationships.
- Apply critical analysis of the importance and ecological roles of the different cryptogam groups in ecosystems.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course develops and supports graduate mindsets, with a particular emphasis on Enquiry and lifelong learning, and Aspiration and personal development This is an opportunity to explore big-picture areas of science and biosiversity - often literally through a microscope - an apporahc that can be invaluable in wider life.
This course develops and supports graduate skills, with a particular emphasis on Research and enquiry; Personal and intellectual autonomy and Personal effectiveness.
This course and its assessments emphasise skills development in: Evaluation, Critical Analysis, Problem Solving and Communication. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alex Twyford
Tel: (0131 6)50 5455
Email: Alex.Twyford@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Madeleine Ferris
Tel: (0131 6)50 8649
Email: mferris@ed.ac.uk |
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