COURSE SCHEDULE:   Spring 2025

Lectures are held from 11:10 AM -12:00 PM, M/W/F, Physics 240A (note: this is a classroom change)
Lab meets  W from 1:10-5:00 PM or Th from 1:40-5:30 PM in B219

 Lecture handouts and powerpoint slides (PDFs) available on the Google shared drive: Biology Department Resources

Date Lecture
Reading* Laboratory
Jan 27
Jan 29
Jan 31		 Evolutionary perspective
Populations genetics
Species concept(s) for plants

see separate tab for assigned Readings

Introduction to Plant Taxonomy & Evolutionary Mechanisms
(computer: PopG and PopBio)
Feb 3
Feb 5
Feb 7		 Species concept(s) for plants
Species concept(s) for plants
Reproductive isolation
 		 Phylogeny reconstruction I:
  Introduction to analysis methods (PAUP & Mesquite
(PLANT FAMILIES I)
Feb 10
Feb 12
Feb 14		 Reproductive isolation
Reproductive isolation
Quiz 1; begin Evolution of RI		   Phylogeny reconstruction II:
  cpDNA & morphology data collection
(PLANT FAMILIES II)
Feb 17
Feb 19
Feb 21		 Evolution of RI
Evolution of RI
Modes of speciation		   Phylogeny reconstruction III:
 DNA Sequence Analysis & Phylogeny Estimation
(PLANT FAMILIES III)
Feb 24
Feb 26
Feb 28		 Modes of speciation
Modes of speciation
Quiz 2; begin Hybridization		 Phylogeny reconstruction IV:
wrapping up - phylogeny & character analysis
(PLANT FAMILIES IV)
Mar 3
Mar 5
Mar 7		 Hybridization & introgression
Hybridization & introgression
Polyploidy		   Sexual dimorphism in Indian Plum
(PLANT FAMILIES V)
Mar 10
Mar 12
Mar 14		 Polyploidy
Genetics of species differences
Quiz 3; begin Plant Kingdom origins		   Sex expression in ferns
(PLANT FAMILIES VI)
Discussion: Independent Projects
Mar 17
Mar 19
Mar 21		 Plant Kingdom origins
Reproduction: free sporing plants
Heterospory & the origin of seeds		   FIELD TRIP: Lacamas Park, WA
Independent Projects: 
consultation
Mar 24-28 SPRING BREAK
Mar 31
Apr 2
Apr 4		 Heterospory & the origin of seeds
Reproduction: seed plants
Seed plant gametophytes		   ***Independent Project: consultaiton & experimental design
Apr 7
Apr 9
Apr 11		 Quiz 4; begin Reproduction: flowering plants
Reproduction: flowering plants
Mating system: diversity & evolution		  
PLANT FAMILIES: quiz

Wednesday key;  Thursday key; 

Independent Projects: data collection
Apr 12
(SATURDAY)		 FIELD TRIP: COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Apr 14
Apr 16
Apr 18		 Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system diversity & evolution		   Independent Projects: data collection
Apr 21
Apr 23
Apr 25		 Quiz 5; begin Outcrossing mechanisms
Outcrossing mechanisms
Self-fertilization

 

 Independent Projects: data analysis
Apr 28
Apr 30
May 2		 Asexual reproduction
Flowering plant dominance
Flowering plant dominance		   Independent Projects:
presentations in lab
May 12
(1pm - 4pm)		 Quiz 6


*ASSIGNED READING

Readings from the research literature will be assigned for each topic and linked on the Reading page, supplemented by optional reading from the folllowing books which are on 3-hour reserve in the Library:

    Briggs, D, & SM Walters. 1997. Plant variation and evolution, third edition. Cambridge University Press, NY, NY.
    Judd et al. 2016. Plant Systematics: a phylogenetic approach, 4th ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc, Sunderland, MA


For the laboratory there is also an optional reference text (copies available in lab):

    Zomlefer, WR. 1994. Guide to flowering plant families. Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC.