Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
The objective of the Plant Biology curricular unit is: (i) to deepen knowledge about the structural and functional organization of plants (with greater emphasis on seed plants), their development, their diversity, and their interaction with the environment; (ii) provide students with skills in the fields of plant identification and the collection and analysis of data on plant physiological conditions.
Syllabus
1. Diversity: evolution and classification of plants; systematics; introduction to taxonomy and plant nomenclature; green algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes and spermatophytes. 2. Structure and development of spermatophytes: embryo and seed development; germination; vegetative development and morphology and anatomy of vegetative organs; reproductive development and its genetic control, and morphology and anatomy of reproductive organs; senescence and death. 3. Physiology of spermatophytes: plant hormones and the regulation of growth and development; external factors in plant growth and development (tropisms, circadian rhythms, photoperiodism, vernalization); water in the soil-plant-atmosphere system; mineral nutrition and nutrient transport; photosynthesis, breathing and photorespiration; translocation of photo-assimilates; physiology of stress. 4. Spermatophyte Systematics.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The first chapter passes on the whole plant world and the complexity and criteria for its classification; the second chapter deals with the structure and development of seed plants, continuing the study of the latter in the third chapter, which deals with the physiology of these plants. Finally, the last chapter deepens the systematics of seed plants .
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Teaching is taught in theoretical-practical classes. The evaluation is a theoretical-practical final examination. All students are admitted to the exam. Partial dispensation of examination is possible. For this purpose, there is 1 theoretical-practical test (on the LMS platform). Obtaining a minimum of 10 in this test allows the exemption of this theoretical component in the final exam. Students with partial dispensation must obtain a minimum of 10 in the remainder of the final exam to complete the curricular unit.
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
Due to the nature of the programmatic contents, the organization in theoretical-practical classes allows to dose the expositive component and the practical component of each theme in the most consistent proportion. The opportunity for a test for partial exemption from final examination is intended to be a compromise between a deconcentrated assessment in relation to the time of examination, and the separation between the time of learning and the time of the evaluation.
