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BIO404Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Systematic Biology

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of systematic biology. It explores the science of identifying, naming, and classifying plants, emphasizing phylogenetic and phenetic relationships. Students will learn about historical classification methods, plant nomenclature, taxonomic evidence, and specimen preparation. The course also covers sources of variation, natural selection, and the origin of species, providing a comprehensive understanding of plant systematics and evolution.

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60h

Study Time

13

Weeks

5h

Per Week

basic

Math Level

Course Keywords

Systematic BiologyPlant TaxonomyClassificationNomenclaturePhylogeny

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

➕

Math Level

Basic Math

🔬

Learning Type

Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Introduction to Systematic Biology

2

Historical Background of Classification

3

Classical and Experimental Taxonomy

4

Plant Nomenclature

5

Sources of Taxonomic Evidence

6

Natural Selection and Speciation

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Botanist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Taxonomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Plant Systematist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Ecologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Conservationist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Research InstitutionsBotanical GardensConservation OrganizationsAgricultural SectorPharmaceutical Industry

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1:

2h

Unit 1: Introduction to Systematic Biology

2 study hours

•Read the introduction to systematic biology.
•Understand the definitions of systematics and biosystematics.
•Identify the four main types of relationships between plants: phylogenetic, phenetic, geographic, and tropic.

Week

2

Module 1:

2h

Unit 2: Historical Background of Classification I

2 study hours

•Study the historical background of classification by preliterate humans.
•Examine early Western civilizations' contributions to classification, focusing on Theophrastus and Dioscorides.
•Understand the role of Islamic botany and Albertus Magnus in the Middle Ages.

Week

3

Module 1:

2h

Unit 3: Historical Background of Classification II

2 study hours

•Continue studying the historical background of classification.
•Learn about the Herbalists and their contributions.
•Understand German Herbalists: Brunnels, Bock, Cordus, Fuchs

Week

4

Module 1:

2h

Unit 4: Historical Background of Classification III

2 study hours

•Study the Italian Renaissance and the transition of the 1600s.
•Examine the contributions of Andrea Cesalpino, Caspar Bauhin, John Ray, and Joseph Pitton de Tournefort.
•Understand Carl Linnaeus and the Linnaean Period.

Week

5

Module 1:

2h

Unit 5: Classification I

2 study hours

•Study classification systems, including classical and experimental taxonomy.
•Understand the differences in aims, units of study, and materials used in each approach.

Week

6

Module 1:

2h

Unit 6: Classification II

2 study hours

•Continue studying classification systems.
•Examine the system of classification, sources of data, and tests of characters in classical and experimental taxonomy.

Week

7

Module 2:

2h

Unit 1: Classification III

2 study hours

•Study methods of description, concepts of natural variation, and phases of development in plant taxonomy.
•Understand the pioneer, consolidation, experimental, and encyclopedic phases.

Week

8

Module 2:

2h

Unit 2: Population Concept

2 study hours

•Define population and understand the need for a biosystematics approach.
•Study population taxonomy and its importance in evolutionary and genetical studies.

Week

9

Module 2:

2h

Unit 3: Plant Nomenclature

2 study hours

•Study the basis of scientific names, including scientific versus common names, composition, generic names, specific epithets, and author citations.
•Understand the rules of nomenclature, including principles, procedures, ranks of taxa, the type method, and priority of names.

Week

10

Module 2:

2h

Unit 4: Principles of Plant Taxonomy

2 study hours

•Study the principles of plant taxonomy, including categories, characters, and classification.
•Understand monophyletic requirements, species, infraspecific taxa, genera, families, and orders.

Week

11

Module 2:

2h

Unit 5: Sources of Taxonomic Evidence I

2 study hours

•Study morphology, comparative plant anatomy, cytology, and embryology as sources of taxonomic evidence.
•Understand the use of vegetative and reproductive characters in morphology.

Week

12

Module 3:

4h

Unit 1: Sources of Taxonomic Evidence II

2 study hours

•Study electron microscopy, palynology, and paleobotany as sources of taxonomic evidence.
•Understand the morphological characters of pollen grains and their use in taxonomy.

Unit 2: Sources of Taxonomic Evidence III

2 study hours

•Study chemosystematics, ecological evidence, and physiological evidence as sources of taxonomic evidence.
•Understand the use of plant chemistry in improving plant classification.

Week

13

Module 3:

6h

Unit 3: Sources of Variation

2 study hours

•Study sources of variation, including developmental, environmental, and genetic variation.
•Understand gene mutations, chromosomal mutations, gene flow, recombination, and reproductive systems.

Unit 4: Natural Selection

2 study hours

•Study natural selection, including directional, stabilizing, and disruptive selection.
•Understand the role of natural selection in adaptation and evolution.

Unit 5: Random Events

2 study hours

•Study random events, including neutrality theory and catastrophic selection.
•Understand the effects of genetic drift and random sampling of genes.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed concept maps linking historical figures (Units 2-4) to their classification contributions.

2

Practice identifying plant specimens using taxonomic keys from Units 5-6 and Module 2.

3

Review the principles of plant nomenclature (Module 2, Unit 3) and practice applying them to different plant names.

4

Focus on understanding the different sources of taxonomic evidence (Module 3) and their applications in plant classification.

5

Compare and contrast the different types of natural selection (Module 3, Unit 4) and their effects on plant populations.

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