Botany

Course Structure

The diploma consists of 10 units, upon completion of each unit the student is asked to complete an assignment. Following the completion of the 10 units and assignments there will be a 5000 word extended essay, which students will be required to pass in order to gain the Diploma. Recommended reading lists will be provided. The Module titles are as follows.

Module 1. Introduction to Botany
Module 2. Vegetative anatomy
Module 3. Plant Physiology part 1 Metabolism
Module 4. Plant physiology part 2.Growth and reproduction
Module 5. Genetics, evolution and classification
Module 6. Diversity part 1. Plant like organisms
Module 7. Diversity part 2. Simple green plants
Module 8. Diversity part 3. Seed plants
Module 9. Ecology and phytopathology
Module 10 Ethnobiology

Course content

Module 1. Introduction to Botany

The first module introduces botany as a subject, by discussing its scientific status and the various branches of botany. The second part of the module begins by defining the properties of life, before examining how life began on Earth. The discussion then moves on to look at the basic building blocks of life, the cell, including structure and function of cell components .

Module 2. Vegetative anatomy

This module examines the various tissues and structures found in plants. It begins with a overview of meristematic tissues. Topics include Roots: development ,r structure and specializations., Stem; structure, development and specializations. Finally leaves are discussed including structure, types, arrangement, specialization and seasonal leaf loss (abscission).

Module 3. Plant physiology part 1: Metabolism

The third module in the diploma examines how plants maintain life by obtaining nutrients. The first section deals with water and it’s the various ways in which it is moved about an organism, including the processes of osmosis, diffusion and transpiration. The second section deals with enzymes and energy transfer, including photosynthesis and respiration.

Module 4. Plant physiology Part 2: Reproduction and growth

This module examines how plants develop from the seed to the mature form. The large range of strategies used by plants to ensure reproductive success is summarised, including a discussion of flowers, fruits and seeds. The development of a plant from a seed/spore is then examined, including discussions of cell division, plant hormones, plant movements, photoperiodism, and the link between temperature and growth.

Module 5. Genetics, evolution and classification

The process by which individual plant species change is the focus of this section of the course. It examines plant genetics on a micro, individual cell level (meiosis) before going on to discuss the implications of these processes through time by examining the processes of evolution. The current system of classifying plants is discussed as an introduction the next part of the course, that of plant diversity.

Module 6. Diversity part 1. Plant like organisms

This module includes an odd collection of life forms, not quite animals, and not quite plants, although they are traditionally studies within the field of botany. A brief review of bacteria and viruses will be followed by a more in depth examination of algae, slime molds, Fungi and lichens.

Module 7. Diversity part 2 Simple green plants

The most ‘primitive’ of those organisms commonly considered plants are examined in this unit. Liverworts and mosses are plants with no vascular systems, and mosses are considered to be the most primitive vascular plants. Structure, reproduction, evolution and classification of these ‘primitive’ plants are examined, as well as their current importance to humans.

Module 8. Diversity part 3. Seed plants (Gymnosperms) and flowering plants (Angiosperms)

The non-flowering seed plants are discussed in terms of their evolutionary position within the plant kingdom, structure, life cycle and classification. The differences between gymnosperms and angiosperms will be examined as well as evolution, life cycles (including animal pollination) and classification of the flowering plants.

Module 9. Ecology and phytopathology

This final module in the diploma is in two parts, firstly plant ecology, defined as the relationships of living organisms to their organic and inorganic environment. This will include an examination of producer, consumer and decomposer relationships as well as discussion of the flow of energy and chemicals within the biosphere. The last topic in the course is a brief overview of phytopathology, (plant diseases), including its two main divisions, infectious organisms and physiological disorders.

Module 10. Ethnobotany

Ethnobotany studies the complex relationships between (uses of) plants and cultures. The focus of this module is how plants have been or are used, managed and perceived in human societies and includes plants used for food, medicine, divination, cosmetics, dyeing, textiles, for building, tools, currency, clothing, rituals social life and scientific study.