NES2308 : Plant Biology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Tahar Taybi
- Lecturer: Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno, Dr Vasilios Andriotis
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To deepen understanding and knowledge of the manner in which plants develop in their natural environment including the mechanism of growth and differentiation, how they perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, and how they make co-ordinated adjustments at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels that facilitate survival under stressful and changing conditions.
Will also describe the different photosynthetic plant types.
To grow an appreciation of relevant background theory and the application of experimental methods. Practical classes develop core skills and encourage the formulation and testing of hypotheses.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module builds on the appreciation of the role and importance of plants in the natural world acquired in Stage 1. The majority of the module will focus on the mechanisms underlying the ways in which plants grow and differentiate, the ways they perceive signals and respond to environmental stimuli and the ways they co-ordinate and adjust at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels to facilitate growth and survival in diverse environments. The module will also cover the different photosynthetic plant variants (C3, C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism).
Practical classes aim at developing core cognitive abilities (e.g. the analysis and interpretation of datasets), and will facilitate the formulation and testing of specific hypotheses – skills that will be of direct relevance in the planning and execution of Stage 3 research projects.
Topics of lectures:
Plant growth and differentiation: seed germination, development of roots, shoots and leaves.
Flowering: flower development and reproductive growth and their control.
Metabolic coordination: allocation and transport of assimilates, coordination of carbon availability and growth, acute and acclamatory responses to starvation.
Cell death and senescence
Plant responses to abiotic stresses.
Physiology of stomata.
Cellular signalling.
Plant hormones.
In-planta long distance signalling
Plant-to-pant communication.
The physio9logy of C3-photosynthesis, C4-photosynthesis and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.
Lab practicals:
Effect of abiotic stress on plant growth
Physiology of stomata and Ca2+ signalling
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 60 | 0:30 | 30:00 | Revision for examinations |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Preparation of formatively and summatively assessed lab reports |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | PiP |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | PiP |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | Routine lecture follow up to identify areas requiring further, more detailed study |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Formative tests |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 96:00 | 96:00 | Student selected study of lectures, ReCap, Blackboard, websites etc. to enhance understanding |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Structured lectures together with online material with focused topics will allow students to gain a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of plant development and survival in challenging environments from the molecular level to the whole plant level. The learning experience will constitute a strong foundation to pursue specialist 3rd year courses. Practicals based on Nuffield-style approaches will specifically encourage the formulation and testing of hypotheses. The content of the lab-based practicals will complement and enhance the formal lecture programme. Private study using recommended plant biology and physiology texts will provide further depth of understanding of the biological processes and systems involved.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 70 | In case of lockdown, an alternative assessment can be done at home. Students to have 1 week, flexibility for special circumstances. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | A | 30 | lab report 2 |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Practice in analysing and reporting on experimental results |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and practical exercises provide the basis for questions in the formal examination, which focuses on testing depth and breadth of knowledge and general understanding of the subject area. The practical reports which includes a formative assessment, are designed to assess the ability to design and perform hypothesis-driven research, record findings and interpret experimental results.
Study Abroad students may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2308's Timetable