Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - BISC 366 D100

Plant Physiology (3)

Class Number: 2295

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Mon, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2019
    Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    MBB 231 with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The plant's physical environment and the physiological basis (mechanisms and principles) of the interaction between plants and their environment in relation to their survival and ecological distribution.

COURSE DETAILS:

BISC 366 will provide an overview of the integrated physiological processes involved in plant interactions with the environment, including water relations, gas exchange, energy balance, mineral nutrition, responses to the environment, plant defenses, and stress physiology. These processes will be discussed with respect to current problems ecology, with particular attention to adaptations to environmental stressors, species interactions, and global change. 

  • Nutrient acquisition including an overview of water transport; nitrogen assimilation and mineral uptake mechanisms. 
  • Photosynthesis including mechanism and regulation of photosynthesis, photorespiration, C3, C4 and CAM. 
  • Plant hormones and signalling associated with auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, or other metabolites, and their roles in tropism, photoperiodism, thermoperiodism, fruiting and flowering; and plant-plant communication.  
  • Adaptation and stress responses to environmental stress; acclimatisation and adaptation; response to herbivory, pathogens and herbicides

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course students will have an integrated understanding of:

  • nutrient acquisition in plants
  • the process and regulation of photosynthesis
  • plant hormones and their role in the life cycle and responses to the environment
  • the diversity of plant responses and adaptations to environmental conditions and stressors

Grading

  • First Midterm 20%
  • Second Midterm 20%
  • Final Exam 35%
  • Tutorial Presentation/Participation 10%
  • Annotated Bibliography Assignment 15%

NOTES:

Course Hours:  

1 hour lecture; 3 times a week for a total of 3 lecture hours a week 

1 hour tutorial; 1 time a week for a total of 1 tutorial hour a week

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Specific journal readings will be assigned in class.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Fundamentals of Plant Physiology, 1st Edition Edited by Lincoln Taiz; Eduardo Zeiger; Ian Max Møller; Angus Murphy 2018: Sinauer Associates is an imprint of Oxford University Press.  eISBN-13: 9781605357904

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS