Instructor:
Dr. Carolyn J. Ferguson
Ackert 313 (lab, Ackert 310; herbarium, Bushnell 304)
office phone: 532-3166; lab phone: 532-2786; herbarium phone: 532-6619
e-mail: ferg@ksu.edu
Graduate teaching assistant: Chris Harper
Bushnell Annex 116
phone: 532-6603
e-mail: charper@ksu.edu
Course objectives:
This course is designed to give students a strong grounding in the dynamic
field of Plant Systematics. Students will be expected to gain a working
knowledge of techniques and approaches to Systematics in general (including
an understanding of plant taxonomy, phylogenetics and evolutionary processes),
and will be able to consider and discuss current issues on plant systematics
research. The official course description follows:
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BIOL 870.
Advanced Plant Systematics. (4) II, in even years. Taxonomy,
phylogenetic inference and major themes in the evolution of vascular
plants. Two hours lec., one hour discussion on assigned readings,
and three hours lab per week. Lab format will include individual or
small group research projects. Pr.: BIOL 551 or equiv.; and consent
of instructor.
Course meetings:
For the first two-thirds of the semester, we will meet Mondays and Wednesdays
from 1:00 to 2:20 pm in Ackert 324, and Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
in various places (listed below in the schedule). Generally speaking,
we will have lecture material on Mondays, student-led discussions on Wednesdays,
and lab exercises on Thursdays. During the last third of the semester
(beginning 10 April), we will meet Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:00
to 2:20 pm (Wednesdays, Ackert 324; Thursdays, Ackert 301), and will have
no formal lab meetings; the instructor and TA will be available to help
with projects during the remaining scheduled course time, as well as by
appointment. Starting at that time, we will have discussions on both Wednesdays
and Thursdays (some will be instructor-led).
Grading:
Mid-term exam: The "mid-term" will take place
about two-thirds of the way through the course (11 April), and will consist
of several short essay questions to be written in class. [mid-term, 20%]
Discussion: Discussions will center on papers from the
current literature; the leader will provide a short (ca. 15 minute) introduction
and will keep the discussion on track, but all participants are expected
to come prepared and contribute to each discussion. Each student will
be responsible for leading three to four discussions. [leading discussions,
20%; participation, 35%]
Projects: Throughout the course, the group will work
on one or more systematics projects centering on a small plant group posing
interesting systematics questions. Much of the lab time scheduled for
this four credit course, particularly near the end of the semester, will
be devoted to research for projects. [projects, 25%]
Required text:
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, by Walter S. Judd, Christopher
S. Campbell, Elizabeth A. Kellogg, and Peter F. Stevens. 1999. Sinauer
Assoc.
(On reserve in the library under Ferguson, BIOL
870)
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Mon 21 Jan.
Wed 23 Jan.
Thurs 24 Jan. (lab)
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class (classes begin
Thursday 17 January)
(MLK Day, no class)
Class introduction; history and significance of Plant Systematics
Herbarium tour; herbarium management; the Linnaean special collection,
Hale Library (meet in the herbarium)
Introduction to phylogenetics
Discussion: systematics and genetic data
Plant taxonomy review I (lab room TBA, and herbarium)
Taxa, speciation
Discussion: species concepts
Plant taxonomy review II (herbarium)
Classification and nomenclature
Discussion: classification, species vs. varieties
Plant taxonomy review III (herbarium)
Methods I – morphology, anatomy, development
Discussion: character evolution (guest leader, Dr. Mark Mayfield)
Chromosome counts (lab room TBA; guest appearance by Dr. Spencer Tomb)[20-23
February, Carolyn out of town]
Methods II – pollen, secondary chemistry, cytotaxonomy
Discussion: chromosomal evolution, polyploidy
Chromosome counts, cont’d? (lab room TBA); Plant Systematics literature;
End of taxonomy review (herbarium)
Methods III – DNA
Discussion: appropriate techniques
DNA extraction (meet in Ferguson lab, Ackert 310)
Phylogenetic inference I
Discussion: inferring phylogenies
PCR, gel electrophoresis (meet in Ferguson lab, Ackert 310)
Spring break week, 18-22 March
Phylogenetic inference II
Discussion: evaluating support for phylogenies
Developing phylogenies (meet in computer lab, pending approval)
Phylogenetic inference III
Discussion: comparing multiple data sets
Developing phylogenies (meet in computer lab, pending approval)
Discussion: origin of vascular plants
Mid-term exam
Discussion: population genetics, phylogeography
Discussion: conservation biology, genetics of invasive taxa
Discussion: reproductive biology
Discussion: biogeography
Discussion: pollination biology
Discussion: origins of crop plants
Discussion: Plant systematics — toward the future
(Presentation of projects, discussion)
Final exam time: Monday,
13 May, 11:50am-1:40pm
Although we do not have a formal final exam in this course, you should
plan to be available during this time for final presentation and discussion
of projects.
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