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Semester 1

Plant Physiological Ecology (ECSC10039)

Subject

Ecological Science

College

SCE

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This course introduces the science of Physiological Plant Ecology with a strong focus on plant water relations and how recent climate change is affecting these. Plant Physiological Ecology teaches how plants function, grow and survive in their ecosystems and understanding Physiological Plant Ecology underpins food security, ecosystem restoration and the understanding of water as a resource. The course is set to inspire students to learn and think about how terrestrial ecosystems work and function, and what challenges they will be facing in the future.

Course Description

The course brings the underlying theory of plant functioning together with practical hand-on learning in the laboratory. A three hours' practical, which will take place every week is accompanied with alternating weekly 1.5-hour lectures and group tutorials.Background TheoryTo cover theoretical background knowledge, 1.5-hour lectures will be held every second week during the semester. In the weeks between the lectures there will be a tutorial discussing recent research relevant to the topic covered in the lecture.Practical experienceA three-hour practical will take place each week. The practical sessions will consist of a one-hour introduction to the topic and 2 hours practical work in the laboratory. In week 1, the course will make an additional external visit to the SBS plant growth facilities.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 30%, Coursework 70%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

Assessment detailsWritten Exam 30 %, Coursework 70 %Assessment deadlinesA component of the coursework assessment are hand-ins of drawings that the students produce during the practical sessions. Those will be collected directly after the practical, marked during the week and handed back to the students in the following week. In the list of assessments below, these submissions are called direct hand-ins. Another component are lab reports, these are to be submitted electronically one week after the lab session took place. Direct hand-ins occur in weeks: 1(formative), 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 (Dates: 19th September, 3rd, 17th, 24th and 31 October, 21st November)Lab reports are to be submitted on Mondays (noon) in weeks: 3(formative), 5, 8, 9 (submission boxes needed on Learn, Dates: 3rd and 17th October, 14th and 21st November)

view the timetable and further details for this course