bio760 - Evolution and Ecology of Plants

BSc (Biology)

+ deepened biological expertise
+ deepened knowledge of biological working methods
+ data analysis skills
+ critical and analytical thinking
+ independent searching and knowledge of scientific literature
+ ability to perform independent biological research
+ data presentation and discussion in German and English (written and spoken)
+ teamwork
+ statistics & scientific programming

Knowledge of indigenous units of vegetation
Survey of the plant kingdom
Learning different (nonmolecular) methods of systematics

Lecture and seminar give a survey of the ecological and taxonomical diversity of plants. The lecture offers a survey of the Central European vegetation units and gives a general idea of the environmental factors influencing these vegetation units. The seminar gives a survey of the supergroups of plants and their characteristics.
In the exercises, the relations between ecology and taxonomy are studied phylogenetically. Ecological, morphological and similar data sets are compiled for various plant groups (partly from existing data banks presented in the exercises, partly by own, e.g., microscopic studies) and analysed/assessed in their phylogenetic context with the aid of different computer software.

1. Report(s) (70 %)
2. Portfolio (30 %)

Regular active participation in all three lectures is required for the module to be passed.