COURSE SCHEDULE:   Spring 2024

Lectures are held from 11:10 AM -12:00 PM, M/W/F, Library 340
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 22
Jan 24
Jan 26
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)

Jan 29
Jan 31
Feb 2
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 5
Feb 7
Feb 9
Reproductive isolation
Reproductive isolation
Quiz 1; begin Evolution of RI
  Phylogeny reconstruction II:
  cpDNA & morphology data collection
(PLANT FAMILIES II)
Feb 12
Feb 14
Feb 16
Evolution of RI
Evolution of RI
Modes of speciation
 

Phylogeny reconstruction III:
 DNA Sequence Analysis & Phylgeony Estimation
(PLANT FAMILIES III)

Feb 19
Feb 21
Feb 23
Modes of speciation
Modes of speciation
Quiz 2; begin Hybridization
Phylogeny reconstruction IV:
wrapping up - phylogeny & character analysis
(PLANT FAMILIES IV)
Feb 26
Feb 28
Mar 1
Hybridization & introgression
Hybridization & introgression
Polyploidy
  Sexual dimorphism in Indian Plum
(PLANT FAMILIES V)
Mar 4
Mar 6
Mar 8
Polyploidy
Genetics of species differences
Quiz 3
  Sex expression in ferns
(PLANT FAMILIES VI)
Discussion: Independent Projects
Mar 9-17 SPRING BREAK
Mar 18
Mar 20
Mar 22
Plant Kingdom origins
Reproduction: free sporing plants
Heterospory & the origin of seeds
 

FIELD TRIP: Lacamas Park, WA
Independent Projects: 

consultation

Mar 25
Mar 27
Mar 29
Heterospory & the origin of seeds
Reproduction: seed plants
Seed plant gametophytes
 


***Independent Project: consultaiton & experimental design

Apr 1
Apr 3
Apr 5
Quiz 4; Reproduction: flowering plants
Reproduction: flowering plants
Mating system: diversity & evolution
 
PLANT FAMILIES: quiz

Independent Projects: data collection

Apr 8
Apr 10
Apr 12
Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system: evolutionary theory
Mating system diversity & evolution
  Independent Projects: data collection
Apr 13
(SATURDAY)
FIELD TRIP: COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Apr 15
Apr 17
Apr 19
Quiz 5; Outcrossing mechanisms
Outcrossing mechanisms
Self-fertilization

 

Independent Projects: data analysis
Apr 22
Apr 24
Apr 26
Asexual reproduction
Flowering plant dominance
Flowering plant dominance
  Independent Projects:
presentations in lab
May 9
(9AM - 12PM)
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.