Plant diversity and evolution - a global perspective
The course provides advanced knowledge of the diversity of land plants, their structure and evolution from a comparative phylogenetic perspective. You will face extant land plant diversity by hands-on studies of living material. You will become an expert in describing plants as well as identifying their proper position in the land plant phylogeny.
The basis for the practical studies is the large and diverse collections of living material in our green houses, but we also use plants from the nearby Bergius Botanic Garden. This diversity is not only expressed in morphology and phylogenetic position; our plants also represent a vast span of global geographic distributions and climate zones. Even though modern systematics is based on molecular data there are also fossil taxa with important stories to tell, especially in the light of tree thinking.
Ongoing systematic research at our department is presented by the researchers themselves, and this is also done by colleagues at the Bergius Botanic Gardens and the Swedish Museum of Natural History. The course also includes a few literature seminars where e.g., recent major phylogenetic findings are discussed.
Finally, you will do an individual project, which can take the form of a short scientific review related to plant systematics or it can include a small amount of practical work. In either case, the end product is a short scientific paper as well as an oral presentation.
The course is a perfect step if you want to continue your studies with a degree project, preferably in plant systematics, but it is useful also within other biology disciplines.
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Course structure
Teaching format
The education comprises lectures most often mirrored by studies of the corresponding plants after lunch (in a laboratory). Further studies of plants takes us to the botanical garden or to sites in nature. The course also includes a few literature seminars and presentation of ongoing research in plant systematic at the department and neighbor institutions. Finally, students do an individual project, which can be theoretic or include minor practical tasks.
Everything except lectures is compulsory.
Assessment
Measurement of knowledge takes place through written examination.
Examiner
Gitte Petersen
E-mail: gitte.petersen@su.seAelys Humphreys
E-mail: aelys.humphreys@su.se -
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Simpson GM: “Plant systematics”. 3:a uppl. Elsevier 2019. ISBN: 9780128126288.
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Office hours
Mon-Thur: 13.00-15.00
- Irregular office hours
Note! Closed due to holidays April 31 and May 1!
Study counsellor for advanced level
- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratoriet, room E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request
