Botany

Botany is a compulsory subject in the Formative Key Module of the Degree in Biology, whose primary goal is to provide students a complete picture of the different groups of plant organisms: algae, fungi and plants. Consequently, Botany has always been considered as one of the basic pillars of the degree, proving essential not only for future biologists to gain a complete picture of the overall complexity of the plant organisms and systems -and the evolutionary processes in which they are involved-, but also to enable them to understand and successfully cope with other biological matters to be addressed within the next semesters.

Botany aims to provide students the basic tools for the better knowledge of plant world as a whole. Plant organisms, due to their biodiversity and biomass in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, are of paramount importance in almost all environments, not only as primary producers but as sustenance and support for other groups of living being, with which they constantly interact in ecosystems. The course begins with an overview of this discipline, by recalling and expanding some of the aspects studied in previous semesters. The subsequent study of the basic morphology of vegetative and reproductive plant structures is the principal part of the subject, they always being focused from evolutionary and adaptive perspectives. Furthermore, the study of vegetation and landscape is undertaken in the final part of the course, which will facilitate to study relationships of plant organisms among themselves and with the environment.

The location of this subject in the First semester of the Second course (year) of the Biology degree will provide the student an easier comprehension of the basics of Botany, as other subjects will have already been studied that are basic for a correct understanding of botanical matters. Furthermore, students will be able to deepen with agility and solvency in the particular contents of Botany, allowing them to reach the competences own of the subject. However, it has to be properly coordinated with the rest of subjects of both the Degree and the Second course to ensure proper acquirement of generic skills of the module. In particular, Botany is basic to deal with solvency enough the subject Plant biodiversity, which complements it in the Second semester of the Second course.

Summarizing, Botany provides the basic knowledge to successfully cope with some of the matters and subjects of the degree that are tenable at the following semesters, as well as for the development of the professional activity of the future Graduate in Biology, according with the specific competencies conferred by the Spanish Official College of Biologists (COB).

Course will consist of 60hrs of in class work and 90 hrs of independent work outside the classroom.

Course includes field work and lab practicals.