BOTANY (BOT–Arts and Science)

Note: Four semester hours of biological science or permission of instructor is minimum prerequisite for all courses at 400-level and above.

401/501  Plant Ecology (3)

Studies of plant communities, populations, and individuals in relation to their environment. Laboratory option available as BOT 434, 437. Prerequisite: BOT, MBI, and ZOO 115 or 191, BOT 204 or ZOO 206, or permission of instructor.

402/502 Plant Anatomy (3)

Study of structural characteristics of plant cells organized into functional tissue groups within organs comprising plant bodies. Emphasis on identification of plant cell types using histochemistry and light microscopy, how various combinations of cell types form functional vegetative tissues, and how these functional tissues are organized within leaves, stems, and roots to form integrated plant bodies that are able to survive in diverse environments. Prerequisite: BOT 203 or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 2 Lab. Offered odd-year spring semesters.

403/503  Plant Development (3)

Study of growth and development of plants. Emphasis will be placed on methods of study and analytic models of the growth and development of plant embryos, roots, stems, leaves and reproductive organs. Prerequisite: BOT 203, or permission of instructor.

409/509  Morphology of Vascular Plants (4)

Structure, reproduction, life histories, and possible evolutionary relationships of vascular plants with special attention given to Angiosperms. Prerequisite: BOT 312 or permission of instructor. 3 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered alternate years.

415/515  Techniques in Plant Biotechnology (3)

A laboratory-discussion course that involves students in the techniques frequently used in plant biotechnology such as plant tissue culture, DNA isolation, PCR, gene cloning, DNA sequencing, Northern/Southern and Western blots. Discussions will relate to significance of methods, implementation of technology in the marketplace, issues relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), genomics, and current events in the field of biotechnology. Prerequisite: a course in genetics, cell biology, biotechnology, or equivalent.

421/521  Advanced Mycology (3)

Detailed study of taxonomy and morphology of fungi with consideration of physiology and genetics of development. Lab study emphasizes methods for selective isolation, culture, and microscopic identification of fungi as well as cultural manipulation of fungal development. Prerequisite: BOT 203, 312, or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab. Offered infrequently.

424/524 Biological Instrumentation (4)

Theory and application of modern biological instrumentation and techniques. Basic and advanced skills including use, maintenance, and calibration of biological instruments. Prerequisites: BOT/MBI/ZOO 115 or 116 or BOT 191 or MBI 202 or ZOO 113 or equivalent, CHM 141/142 or equivalent. College physics recommended. Cross-listed with MBI 424/524 and ZOO 424/524.

425/525 Plant Physiology (4)

Theory and methods in modern plant physiology. In-depth course covers aspects of water relations, gas exchange, primary and secondary metabolism, membrane physiology, transport, hormones, and environmental physiology. Prerequisite: undergraduate organic chemistry or permission of instructor.

431/531  Global Plant Diversity (3)

Seminar focused on patterns and processes in global, and especially tropical plant distributions. Lecture/discussion topics include geologic history, biodiversity, disturbances, global environmental change, and cultural ecology. Prerequisite: BOT 191 or higher, GEO 121 or higher or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 431/531.

432/532  Ecoregions of North America (3)

Survey of the vegetation of North America with an emphasis on environmental relationships, geographic patterns of diversity, and regional conservation issues. Field trip and project required. Prerequisite: BOT 191 or higher, GEO 121 or higher or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 432/532.

434/534  Plant Community Ecology Methods (1)

Sprint course to introduce methods of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting ecological data on plant communities. Prerequisite: credit or concurrent enrollment in BOT 401/501, ZOO 204, or equivalent.

437/537 Field Methods in Population Ecology (1)

Sprint course designed to introduce field and lab methods used to sample plant and animal populations and quantify interspecific competition. Prerequisite: A course in ecology. Cross-listed with ZOO 437/537.

467/567 Conservation Biology (3)

Principles of ecology and organismal biology applicable to conservation of uncommon plant and animal populations or ecosystems in relation to anthropogenic threats and relevant legislation. Prerequisite: introductory course in biology and a course in ecology. Cross-listed with ZOO 467/567.

470/570  Advanced Botany Field Trip (1-8; maximum 8)

Field trips designed for advanced botany student. Prerequisite and credit vary each time course is offered. Continuing prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered infrequently.

481/581 Theory of Electron Microscopy (2)

Principles and theory of scanning and transmission electron microscopy and advanced microscopies. Cross-listed with ZOO 481/581.

482/582 Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory (2)

Practical course providing training in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sample preparation, SEM operation, darkroom work, manuscript preparation, and an individual research project. Corequisite or prerequisite: BOT and ZOO 481/581 and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with ZOO 482/582.

483/583 Transmission Electron Microscopy Laboratory (3)

Practical course in TEM: specimen preparation, microscope use, data collection, photographic plate preparation. Corequisite or prerequisite: BOT and ZOO 481/581 and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with ZOO 483/583.

496/596 Biodiversity of Kenya (5)

Field workshop on 1) ecology of tropical ecosystems in Kenya, 2)human relationships with Kenyan environments, and 3)conservation issues from interdisciplinary perspectives. Includes pre-trip seminars, two-week intensive field experience in Kenya, and follow-up presentations. Prerequisite: introductory course in biological sciences and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with GEO 496/596.

499.A/599.A Tropical Flora of the Bahamas (4)

Workshop conducted in the Bahamas. Course objectives are to introduce students to the natural history of the tropics, teach them how to study the flora, and guide them to synthesis of field observations. Several plant communities are studied, including dry evergreen forest, coastal beach, coastal coppice, and mangrove swamp. Summer only.

600 Directed Study and Research (1-5; maximum 10)

Open to senior majors.

605 Advanced Molecular Biology (3)

In-depth study of genome organization, rearrangement, replication, epigenetics, and expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their viruses, with an emphasis on regulatory mechanisms. Prerequisite: graduate status, a course in molecular genetics, biochemistry, or cell biology, and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with MBI and ZOO 605.

606 Advanced Cell Biology (3)

Advanced level study of molecular basis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure/function relationships. Prerequisite: graduate status, course in molecular genetics, cell biology, or biochemistry, and permission of instructor. Cross-listed with MBI and ZOO 606.

621 Advanced Plant Taxonomy (3)

Principles of classification with emphasis on modern views about the evolution and relationships of flowering plants. Laboratory study considers major families of flowering plants and their phylogenetic position. Prerequisite: three advanced courses in biological science including a course in taxonomy or permission of instructor. 2 Lec. 1 Lab.

630 Topics in Botany for Teachers (4)

Various topics of special interest to teachers may be presented. Examples include dendrology, plant structure and function, survey of plants, plant tissue culture, plant biology, plant ecology, and others. Available only to students in M.A.T. biological sciences program. Prerequisite: BOT 115, 116, 191, or equivalent.

650 Seminar in Molecular Biology (1)

Discussion of current literature in molecular biology. Prerequisite: graduate standing. Cross-listed with MBI, CHM, and ZOO 650.

660 Graduate Colloquium (1)

The main objective of this course is to introduce and prepare students for graduate study in botany. Emphasizes the process of scientific research and considers topics such as writing grant proposals and scientific papers, attendance at scientific meetings, and the process of peer review. Students also learn how to write a curriculum vitae and have an introduction to research facilities at Miami University.

665 Plant Biosystematics (3)

Examination of speciation, including isolating mechanisms, hybridization, polyploidy, and apomixis, etc. Examination of evidence includes reproductive barriers, cytotaxonomy, and molecular data. Prerequisite: three advanced courses in biological science including BOT 342 or its equivalent. Offered alternate years.

671 Population and Community Ecology (4)

Principles and applications of population and community ecology: population dynamics, life histories, species interactions, community structure and diversity, succession, and classification/ordination. Prerequisite: a course in ecology; a course in calculus recommended. Cross-listed with MBI and ZOO 671.

672 Ecosystem and Global Ecology (4)

Structure and dynamics of ecosystems and the biosphere, including food webs, nutrient cycling, ecosystem functioning, regional and biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem management. Prerequisite: a course in ecology and general chemistry. Cross-listed with MBI and ZOO 672.

700 Research for Master's Thesis (1-12; minimum 6, maximum 12)

720 Graduate Seminar (1-2; maximum 8)

Topics for advanced study in selected fields of plant science to be announced. Prerequisite: graduate standing in biological science.

750 Advanced Topics in Botany (1-5; maximum 20)

Study of specialized topics from current research in the following areas:

750.A Anatomy
750.B Morphology
750.C Phycology
750.D Mycology
750.E Ultrastructure
750.F Ecology
750.G Systematics
750.H Genetics
750.I Physiology
750.J Phytochemistry
750.K Ethnobotany
750.L Molecular biology

790 Research in Botany (1-8; maximum 12)

850 Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1-16; minimum 16; maximum 60)