| CODE | BIO1406 | ||||||
| TITLE | Practical Modern Methods in Plant Systematics | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is related to Modern Methods in Plant systematics. It is focused on practical activities relating to: 1. DNA barcoding; 2. Markers of choice; 3. Specimen preparation; 4. Laboratory workflows; 5. Data repositories; 6. Tree building methods; 7. Sequence analysis. Study-unit Aims: This unit is mainly aimed at applying knowledge acquired from study unit on Modern methods for Plant taxonomy, equipping students with practical knowledge on DNA barcoding to identify species and use of other methods to assess diversity. This practical work will range from choosing appropriate markers of choice, to prepare specimen, to compare with data repositories, to tree building and sequence analysis. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Discriminate basic molecular tools for plant phylogeny and population genetics: sequencing, AFLPs, microsatellites SNPs and other molecular markers; • Report basic criteria on how to choose molecular techniques to study diversity; • Understand the principles of DNA international Barcode of Life project and identify plant DNA barcodes; • Assess concepts of genome, transcriptome, proteome and identify basic proteomic tools. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Use knowledge of molecular methods in plant systematics as tools to gather essential information and data useful for plant systematics studies; • Analyse and interpret data collected using molecular systematics tools to arrive at reliable conclusions on the classification of particular plants being studied; • Develop a DNA barcode system. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Walter S. Judd, Christopher S. Campbell, Elizabeth A. Kellogg, Peter F. Stevens, Michael J. Donoghue. (2016) Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, Third Edition 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates Inc., NY. - Michael G. Simpson, (2010) Plant Systematics, Second Edition 2nd Edition, Elsevier. - Vernon H Heywood (1993) Flowering plants of the world, Batsford, UK. - Introduction to the Principles of Plant Taxonomy 2nd Edition (1991) by V. V. Sivarajan (Author), N. K. P. Robson (Editor). |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: Entry requirements BSc Biology or Similar | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study & Practical | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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