BIOL 316
Biology of Oxygenic Photoautotrophic Organisms
Spring 2009
Instructor: Dr. Kevin J. Murray
Office: NS 113 ; Phone: 243-4495 , email: kevin.murray@mso.umt.edu
Class meeting times: W-F 1:10 – 4:30 pm; HS 102
Course Overview. BIOL 316 is a one semester course exploring the biological diversity of
photosynthetic organisms (plants, eukaryotic algae, cyanobacteria). The central objectives in the course
are: 1) to understand the phylogenetic relationships of photosynthetic organisms and, 2) to understand the
functional biology of photosynthetic organisms including modes of reproduction, anatomy, physiology
and ecology. The majority of photosynthetic organisms studied in this course play important roles in the
structure and function of aquatic ecosystems ranging from freshwater lotic/lentic systems, to bogs, fens
and the marine realm. These roles include the foundation of food chain interactions (algae) as well as
aquatic system physical structure and resilience (aquatic bryophytes, emergent vascular and other
nonvascular plants). Thus the course will link frequently to the importance of photosynthetic organisms as
primary components of aquatic systems, but will extend also to the roles of these organisms in upland
systems and at the interface between upland and aquatic habitats.
Presentation format. In principle we will have one, 1-1.5 hour lecture and 1-2 hours of lab investigation
per meeting, but this will vary.
Grading. Lecture and laboratory exams, a laboratory notebook and classroom participation will be used
to assess your meeting of the above objectives. Final grade breakdown by percent value: Lecture exams
(3) 40%, laboratory exams 40%, laboratory notebook 10%, writing assignment 10%.
The course will serve to meet University Writing Course requirements (1/3, partial = 17% total grade).
There will be 1 writing assignment on topic of your choice relevant to the ecology, physiology and/or
economic importance of plants and other photosynthetic organisms. To facilitate your choice you will
receive a list of appropriate review-type papers from which to choose your topic. The intent is to
summarize a broad-scale review paper in a succinct and relatively brief fashion. Evidence of focused and
refined information literacy is a prime objective of this assignment. The paper will be assessed for
content as well as composition and structure. Papers will be revised and resubmitted following initial
appraisal. Plan on a 5-6 page paper, 1.5 spacing, 11 font; selected references page not counted towards 6
page total.
To achieve the required 17% of total grade calculated under University Writing Course guidelines, you
examination responses (short essay form) will be graded not only for content but also grammar,
punctuation and clarity of presentation.
Required text: Biology of Plants. Raven, Evert and Eichhorn. W.H. Freeman. 7nd Edition, 2005
BIOL 316
Date
Lecture topic
Spring, 2009 Lecture/lab schedule and readings
ref pp.
Lab
28 Jan
30 Jan
course intro & autotrophy
Systematics & biological diversity
1-6
219-235
no lab
microscopes
04 Feb
06 Feb
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria
244-250
244-250
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria
11 Feb
13 Feb
intro. to Protista
Chlorophyta
229-237
327-333
Chlorophyta
Chlorophyta
18 Feb
20 Feb
Dinophyta & Euglenophyta
Cryptophyta, Haptophyta, Oomycota
303-306
306-312
Dinophyta & Euglenophyta
Haptophyta, Oomycota
25 Feb
27 Feb
Exam I review
Exam I (lecture & lab)
04 Mar
06 Mar
Bacillariophyta, Chrysophyta, Phaeophyta
Phaeophyta, Rhodophyta
312-321
321-326
Diatoms, Phaeophyta
Rhodophyta
11 Mar
13 Mar
Lichens, Chytrids, Mycorrhizae
Lichens, Chytrids, Mycorrhizae
chap 14
chap 14
Lichens
Chytrids
18 Mar
20 Mar
intro. to Bryophytes
Bryophyta
345-350
358-367
mosses
mosses
25 Mar
27 Mar
Bryophyta
Bryophyta
358-367
351-358
Sphagnum
liverworts
01 Apr
03 Apr
Spring break
Spring break
08 Apr
10 Apr
Exam II (lecture & lab)
intro. to vascular plants; Lycopodiophyta
368-389
Lycopodiophyta
15 Apr
17 Apr
Lycopodiophyta; Pteridophyta
Pteridophyta
368-389
408-427
Ferns
Horsetails
22 Apr
24 Apr
intro. to Gymnosperms
Cycadophyta, Ginkophyta
408-427
408-427
Cycadophyta, Ginkophyta
29 Apr
01 May
Coniferophyta, Gnetophyta
intro. to flowering plants
408-427
434-435
Conifers, Gnetophyta
flower anatomy
06 May
08 May
flowering plants
Angiosperm diversity
434-435
452-456
LAB EXAM III
13 May
Final exam (3:20-5:00 pm)