Plant diversity and evolution - a global perspective
This course exposes you to the staggering global diversity of plants. Using a comparative approach, you will learn to describe form and function across different plant groups and make inferences about their evolutionary history.
In this course you will get to examine species from various branches of the plant tree of life, with a focus on vascular plants. You will see species from different parts of the world, representing various life forms and adaptations.
The foundation for this are plants that we grow in our department greenhouse. You will also get to visit Bergius botanical garden and collections at the Natural History Museum.
You will study various features and functions of plants such as flower structure, climate adaptations, and geographic distribution, and discuss how these have evolved over time. By comparing multiple plant groups in the context of their evolutionary relationships, you will draw inferences about how their diversity has emerged. You will also learn to use the methods of plant systematics, aimed at describing, identifying, classifying and naming.
After this course, you are well equipped for a Master’s degree project in plant systematics or a related field. You will also have learned critical evolutionary thinking and communication skills that are applicable across biology.
Teaching Format
The course consists of practical classes, seminars, lectures, and trips to Bergius Botanical garden and the Natural History Museum.
An individual project in which you study a plant group in detail will also be part of this course.
Assessment
Assessment will take place through an oral exam based the practical and theoretical classes and a written individual assignment.
Examiner
Jan Hackel
E-mail: jan.hackel@su.se
Simpson GM: “Plant systematics”. 3rd edition. Elsevier 2019. ISBN: 9780128126288. Free access online through the university library: https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-04664-0
