Principles of Botany

Understanding the biology of plants is fundamental to understanding the complex web of life on Earth and its evolutionary history. Nearly all other organisms, including humans, directly or indirectly rely on plants for their food and oxygen. Consequently, plants are essential to our existence; and by studying them in detail, we learn more about our own species and the world that we inhabit. This course is an introductory survey of botany. The first half of the course will examine aspects of plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, and development. The second half will cover plant genetics, reproduction, diversity, and evolution. In addition to covering many facets of plant biology, an introduction to bacteria and algae will also be presented. Weekly lectures and textbook readings will be supplemented with occasional laboratory sessions.