Botany

 

Professor:  Siver; Associate Professor:  Lizarralde; Assistant Professors:  Jones, Spicer; Senior Lecturers:  Hine, Warren; Lecturers:  Hardeman, Suriyapperuma; Arboretum Director and Adjunct Associate Professor:  Dreyer; Associate Professor Owen, chair

The Major in Botany

 

The botany major is designed to accommodate a wide range of interests and to prepare students for graduate study in a variety of fields.  The major consists of a core curriculum, as well as electives in mathematics and the physical and life sciences.  Students may opt for the concentration in ethnobotany, which also draws on courses from the social sciences.

 

Students considering graduate study in botany or other biological sciences should consult with an adviser as early as possible to design an appropriate plan of coursework.  Those planning postgraduate training in landscape design or architecture are strongly encouraged to consider a minor in architectural studies or art.

 

The major consists of a minimum of eleven courses, at least three of which must be at the 300 or 400 level, and a two-credit departmental seminar.

 

Advisers:  K. Hardeman, P. Hine, C. Jones, M. Lizarralde, P. Owen, P. Siver, S. Suriyapperuma

 

Core curriculum.  All botany majors must take the following courses:

 

1. One of the following:  Botany 115, Botany 117, or Biology 105.
2. Botany 205 and 225.
3. One semester of the Biology/Botany Seminar Series (293 or 294).
4. Chemistry 103 or 107.  (Students with a concentration in ethnobotany may, with permission of the department, substitute Chemistry 101.)

 

Additional courses for the major.  Students majoring in botany with the general track must satisfy the following requirements:

 

5. Biology 106 and Botany 305, and either Biology 207 or Botany 315.
6. Four courses selected from additional offerings in biology or botany, or from the following list:  Chemistry 104, 204, 223, 224, 303, 304, 324; Environmental Studies 110, 115, 120, 210 (493, 494 with permission of the department); Mathematics 107, 111, 112, 113, 114, 206, 207, 208, 212; Physics 107, 108, 109, 110.  At least two of the courses chosen from this category must have a laboratory.  Other intermediate or advanced courses in chemistry, mathematics, or physics may be selected with permission of the department.

 

Additional courses for the major with ethnobotany concentration.  Students majoring in botany with a concentration in ethnobotany must satisfy the following requirements:

 

5. Anthropology 104, Botany 308, and Botany 315.
6. Four courses selected from additional offerings in botany, or from the following list:  Anthropology 202, 234, 245, 250, 260, 319, 380; Biology 106, 207, 208, 307, 314, 320, 322; Chemistry 104, 204, 223, 224, 303, 304, 324; Environmental Studies 308, 312, 313 (493, 494 with permission of the department); Mathematics 107, 206, 207, 208, 317.

The Minor in Botany

 

The botany minor includes Biology 105 or Botany 115; Botany 205, 225, 305; and one additional course in biology or botany.

Courses

 

BOTANY  115  CLASSICAL AND CURRENT TOPICS IN BOTANY  Introduction to the biology of plants, with emphasis on their importance, currently and historically.  Topics will include characteristics of major plant groups, internal and external controls of growth and development, ecology of native vegetation, plant uses in horticulture, ethno-botany, and modern uses of plants for food and medicine, including genetically modified plants.

                Enrollment limited to 18 students per section.  This course satisfies General Education Area 1.  P. Hine and Botany Faculty

 

Botany  117  introduction to Ethnobotany  An examination of the relationship between human beings and the plant world, along with the corresponding impact on human existence.  Specific focus on how plants serve as sources of medicine or food, as well as providing technological and ecological resources.  The course considers issues relating to culture and geography in the context of prehistorical and historical data, as well as other relevant topics of current interest.  This is the same course as Anthropology 117.

Enrollment limited to 40 students.  M. Lizarralde

 

BOTANY  205  PLANTS, PROTISTS AND FUNGI  A survey of the major groups of organisms comprising plants, protists and fungi.  The primary morphological, reproductive and physiological characteristics, ecological significance and evolutionary concepts of each group will be studied.  Laboratory work will include growing specimens from each group of organisms, greenhouse experiments and field trips.

                Two lectures; four hours laboratory work.  Prerequisite:  Either Botany 115 or Biology 105.  Enrollment limited to 12 students.  P. A. Siver

 

BOTANY  207  SEMINAR ON INDIGENOUS USE OF TROPICAL RAINFORESTS  Emphasis on the uses of rainforest plants and animals by indigenous peoples and their potential ecological and economic applications.  Discussion on the readings of recent research will provide a rich array of data and insights into these resources and their application in community development, rainforest conservation and western economies.  This is the same course as Environmental Studies 207.

                Prerequisite:  One course in Biology or Botany or one course in Anthropology or permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 12 students.  M. Lizarralde

 

BOTANY  213  ETHNOECOLOGY OF PERU  The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to ethnoecology of Peru, with a greater emphasis on Ethnobotany.  Ethnoecology studies the relationship of people with their flora, fauna and other elements of their environment.  Special focus will be given to the ethnoecological richness of Peru, and its contribution to the world.  This is the same course as Anthropology 313/Environmental Studies 213.  This course is taught in the SATA Peru program only.

                Prerequisite:  Botany 115 or 200 or Environmental Studies 110 or 111.  Enrollment limited to 12 students.  M. Lizarralde

 

BOTANY  225  SYSTEMATIC BOTANY AND THE LOCAL FLORA  The distinguishing characteristics of the principal families of ferns, conifers, and flowering plants; their geographic distribution and evolutionary relationships.  Includes numerous field trips to local areas to familiarize students with the natural flora of southern New England.

                Two lectures; four hours laboratory work.  Prerequisite:  Biology 105 or Botany 115.  Enrollment limited to 12 students per section.  C. Jones

 

BOTANY  293, 294  BIOLOGY/BOTANY SEMINAR SERIES  Lectures and discussions on current research in the life sciences.  Presentations by visiting scientists, Connecticut College faculty, and student researchers.  Preparation of pre-lecture questions through background readings and post-lecture summaries required.  This is the same course as Biology 293, 294.

                One meeting per week throughout the semester.  Two hours of credit, marked as pass/not passed.  These courses may be taken for a maximum of four credits.  Offered every semester.  Biology and Botany Faculty

 

BOTANY  305  PLANT STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION  An integrated examination of the physiology and anatomy of vascular plants.  Topics covered include uptake, transport and use of water and mineral nutrients; the development, photosynthesis and respiration of leaves; reproduction.

                Six hours of combined lecture and laboratory work per week.  Prerequisites:  Botany 115 (or Botany 200) or Biology 105, Chemistry 103 and at least one course in biology or botany above the 200 level.  Enrollment limited to 12 students per laboratory section.  P. Owen and Staff

 

Botany  308  Methods and theories of ethnobotany  An advanced perspective of methods and theories in the science of ethnobotany.  The course introduces students to a wide variety of approaches, including cognitive, ecological, and economic.  Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be studied.  This is the same course as Anthropology/Environmental Studies 308.

Prerequisite:  Botany 117 and either Botany 115 or Anthropology 104.  Enrollment limited to 30 students.  M. Lizarralde

 

BOTANY  311  ETHNOBOTANY OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND  An introduction to Native American plant uses in southern New England.  Field work in the Arboretum and elsewhere will introduce students to ethno-botanical field methods in addition to historical and other ethnographical materials.  Class projects will require collection, analysis and presentation of field and other data.  This is the same course as Anthropology 311 and Environmental Studies 311.

                Three hours of integrated lecture, discussion, field and laboratory work.  Prerequisite:  Botany 225 or Anthropology 381 or permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 12 students.  M. Lizarralde

 

BOTANY  315  THE ECOLOGY OF TERRESTRIAL AND WETLAND PLANT COMMUNITIES  The relationships of plants to other organisms and the abiotic environment.  Factors controlling the distribution and dynamics of plant populations, the structure and function of plant communities, and energy flow and nutrient cycling through ecosystems are explored through the study of regional vegetation.  Vegetation sampling, analytical techniques, and the ecological consequences of human activities are also considered.

                Two lectures; four hours of field or laboratory work.  Frequent field trips.  Prerequisite:  Biology 207 or permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 14 students.  C. Jones

 

BOTANY  320  PLANT PHYSIOLOGY  An introduction to the physiology of vascular plants.  Topics covered include water relations, internal transport, nutrition, photosynthesis and respiration, growth and development as influenced by internal and environmental factors.

                Three lectures; three hours laboratory work.  Prerequisite:  Botany 200 and Chemistry 103, 104 or 107, 204 (may be taken concurrently).  Enrollment limited to 12 students per laboratory section.  Staff

 

BOTANY  410  MARINE AND FRESHWATER BOTANY  A survey of marine and freshwater algae.  Planktonic and periphytic as well as microscopic and macroscopic forms will be covered.  Primary features of each group will be studied from ecological, morphological, physiological, ultra-structural, life history and evolutionary perspectives.  Algal adaptations to major functional ecological units, survival strategies and distribution along ecological gradients also will be considered.  Laboratory includes both field and laboratory exercises.

                Three lectures; three hours laboratory.  Prerequisite:  Biology 105 and one additional course in Biology or Botany, which may be taken concurrently.  P. Siver

 

BOTANY  493, 494  SEMINAR IN BOTANY  A seminar dealing with current topics in botanical research.  Student reports, papers, discussion.

                Open to junior and senior majors, and to others with permission of the instructor.  Staff

 

BOTANY  493A, 494A  CONSERVATION BIOLOGY

 

BOTANY  493B, 494B  GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS  This course will explore scientific, technical, social and economic issues surrounding development and use of agricultural plant biotechnology, in particular trans-genetic crop varieties.  Focus will be on implications for both mechanized crop production and more traditional agriculture.  Topics will include potential impacts on human nutrition and natural ecosystems.  This is the same course as Biology 493I, 494I.

                Prerequisite:  At least three courses in Biology, Botany or Environmental Studies.  Also open to upper division Anthropology and Economics majors with permission of the instructor.  Enrollment limited to 15 students.  Staff

 

BOTANY  493K, 494K  ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION  This is the same course as Environmental Studies 493K, 494K.  Refer to the Environmental Studies listing for a course description.

 

Botany  493m, 494m  Sustainable Agriculture  This seminar will be an overview of current topics of food production systems in both the developed and developing world.  The subject matter covered will include soil salinization, desertification, soil nutrient management, fair trade, immigrant labor, pesticide issues, biological control, local food, biotechnology, and loss of agricultural biodiversity.  There will also be field trips to local agricultural operations for observation and hands on learning.  This is the same course as Environmental Studies 493M, 494M.

                Enrollment limited to 15 students.  B. Connolly

 

BOTANY  291, 292  INDIVIDUAL STUDY  Independent field and/or laboratory research work with a faculty member.  Offered by individual arrangement.  Course may be taken for either two or four credits.

 

BOTANY  391, 392  INDIVIDUAL STUDY  Independent field and/or laboratory research work with a faculty member.  Offered by individual arrangement.  Course may be taken for either two or four credits.

 

BOTANY  491, 492  INDIVIDUAL STUDY  Independent field and/or laboratory research work with a faculty member.  Offered by individual arrangement.  Course may be taken for either two or four credits.

 

BOTANY  497-498  HONORS STUDY