Plant Diveristy and Evolution

3 units

This course is an in-depth exploration of the diversity and evolution of vascular plants. The course focuses mainly on flowering plants because of their dominant role on our planet, but lycophytes, ferns, and gymnosperms are studied as well. A phylogeny of vascular plants provides the framework for their evolution and diversification. Related subjects, including phylogenetics, biogeography, herbaria, nomenclature, species concepts, and pollination biology are also presented. The weekly lectures/discussions and (three hour) lab function in tandem and it is the responsibility for the student to integrate information from the lectures with the abundant materials presented in lab. The lecture will take place on main campus at WashU, and the lab sessions will make use the abundant and exceptional living and preserved materials at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The intended audience is advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Prerequisite: Bio 2970 or Permission of Instructor. Small Class. Credit.