OVERVIEW

Botany studies the various aspects of plant life, including the plant cell, the different levels of organization, the morphological and anatomical structure of plants, developmental and reproductive mechanisms, highlighting the relationships between structure and function. It also deals with plant diversity in natural environments, illustrating the evolutionary lines and plant taxa, with particular reference to higher plants.

Course organization

The course (10 CFU) is subdivided into two modules each provided by laboratory and field experiences (4 + 1 CFU each). The examination and evaluation of the two parts are cumulative.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding       

The course has the following learning goals:

• main notions about plant cell, the anatomical plant tissues and structure in the various groups;
• information about developmental mechanisms and the organization of vegetal organisms;
• knowledge about different propagation modes and the reproduction of plant organisms, especially in Angiosperms;
• deepening on evolutionary lines and botanical nomenclature rules;
• definition of taxonomic groups, including the characteristics of the main families of the Italian Flora;
• understanding of the meaning and value of biodiversity.

Competences and skills

Specifically, the student will be able to:

• explain and describe plant structure and function, with particular reference to terrestrial plants;
• apply methods of histological and anatomical investigations of plant tissues and organs;
• compare the reproductive cycles of the main plant taxonomic groups;
• describe the structure and functions of reproductive organs of spermatophytes;
• distinguish the main taxonomic groups of plant kingdom;
• identify the main Angiosperm families and their use in daily human activities;
• use the dichotomous recognition keys for spermatophytes identification;
• describe the floral characteristics with floral diagram and formulas.

PREREQUISITES

Students are required to have a basic knowledge of cytology and developmental biology.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal or/and on-line lectures plus final on-line tests (60 h)

Experiments in Laboratory or/and on-line (16 h)

On the field experiences (16 h)

Please refer to the AulaWeb platform for any specific updates to the teaching due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LAURA CORNARA (President)

MIRIAM BAZZICALUPO

MARIA GUERRINA

PAOLA MALASPINA

LUIGI MINUTO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

Class schedule

BOTANY AND LABORATORY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Examination methods

Please refer to the AulaWeb platform for any specific updates to the teaching due to changes in the health and epidemiological situation.

The exam includes three written tests in progress, one related to general botany, one to systematic botany, and one to laboratory exercises. Only students with at least 75% attendance of laboratory exercises are admitted to the ongoing test. The final exam involves the presentation of a small herbarium; the overall grade is the weighted average of the marks obtained in the various tests. The partial grades are valid only for the summer session (June, July and September) of the current academic year.

Students who do not take or do not pass the tests in progress must take an oral exam on the complete program of the course.

Evaluation matrix

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Some in itinere tests will be carried out for the theoretical part (Bot. Gen. and Bot. Sistem.). A final test of laboratory activities is scheduled, including the recognition of plant specimens. Upon completion of the evaluation, the presentation of a small herbarium is required.

Those who have not taken or passed the tests during the course must take a classic oral exam, concerning all the topics covered during the frontal lessons of the course (Plant Biol. + Syst.Bot. + Lab) and including awards for an anatomical section and of plant samples. The oral exam will aim to assess not only if the student has reached an adequate level of knowledge, but also if he has acquired the ability to link structure and functions in plants.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Frequency is strongly recommended. Attendance at the theoretical course (Plant Biol. and Systematic Bot.) will be sometimes monitored in order to check the interest to the course. To take the final written test of the Laboratory it is essential to attend classes at least 75%