COURSE SCHEDULE:   Spring 2026

Lectures are held from 11:00 AM -11:50 AM, M/W/F, Physics 240A
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 26
Jan 28
Jan 30		 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 2
Feb 4
Feb 6		 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 9
Feb 11
Feb 13		 Reproductive isolation
Reproductive isolation
Quiz 1; begin Evolution of RI		   Phylogeny reconstruction II:
  cpDNA & morphology data collection
(PLANT FAMILIES II)
Feb 16
Feb 18
Feb 20		 Evolution of RI
Evolution of RI
Modes of speciation		   Phylogeny reconstruction III:
 DNA Sequence Analysis & Phylogeny Estimation
(PLANT FAMILIES III)
Feb 23
Feb 25
Feb 27		 Modes of speciation
Modes of speciation
Quiz 2; begin Hybridization		 Phylogeny reconstruction IV:
wrapping up - phylogeny & character analysis
(PLANT FAMILIES IV)
Mar 2
Mar 4
Mar 6		 Hybridization & introgression
Hybridization & introgression
Polyploidy		   Sexual dimorphism in Indian Plum
(PLANT FAMILIES V)
Mar 9
Mar 11
Mar 13		 Polyploidy
Genetics of species differences
Quiz 3; begin Plant Kingdom origins		   Sex expression in ferns
(PLANT FAMILIES VI)
Discussion: Independent Projects
Mar 16
Mar 18
Mar 20		 Plant Kingdom origins
Reproduction: free sporing plants
Heterospory & the origin of seeds		   FIELD TRIP: Lacamas Park, WA
Independent Projects: 
consultation
Mar 23-27 SPRING BREAK
Mar 30
Apr 1
Apr 3		 Heterospory & the origin of seeds
Reproduction: seed plants
Seed plant gametophytes		   ***Independent Project: consultaiton & experimental design
Apr 6
Apr 8
Apr 10		 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 11
(SATURDAY)		 FIELD TRIP: COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 17		 Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system diversity & evolution		   Independent Projects: data collection
Apr 20
Apr 22
Apr 24		 Quiz 5; begin Outcrossing mechanisms
Outcrossing mechanisms
Self-fertilization

 

 Independent Projects: data analysis
Apr 27
Apr 29
May 1		 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.