Download Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Biology Plant cell

 Faculty of Science Course Syllabus Department of Biology Plant cell biology BIOL 4220 Fall 2016 Instructor(s): Arunika Gunawardena [email protected] LSC 6076 Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays 13.05 to 14.25 pm 494 1594 LSC C244 Laboratories: ‐‐‐‐‐‐ Tutorials: ‐‐‐‐‐
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Course Description This course covers the structure, function, and dynamic properties of plant cellular components including constituent organelles, cytoskeleton, and the cell wall. Current areas of research such as programmed cell death, cell signalling and cellular trafficking are discussed in depth. The course consists of lectures, student seminars, and report writing. Course Prerequisites BIOL 2020.03 (or BIOA 2001.03), and BIOL 2004.03 or BIOL 3050.03 with a minimum of B‐ in these course or permission of the instructor Prerequisite knowledge/skills Know the basic structure of a cell Recall basic plant processes Describe the differences between plant and animal cells Know the basic principles of light microscopy Course Goals and Outcomes After taking this course, a student will be able to: • Describe the structure and dynamics of plant specific organelles such as the vacuole, chloroplasts and cell wall • Obtain in‐depth knowledge of advanced microscopic techniques such as confocal laser scanning microscopy and its uses in plant cell biology • Describe in detail the process of photosynthesis and its various forms (C3, C4 and CAM) in different plant species •Compare and contrast plant and animal programmed cell death •Describe different examples of programmed cell death in plant development •Learn about current research on plant programmed cell death and their global applications •Describe the cell signalling pathways involved in plant programmed cell death •Design experiments to detect programmed cell death •Develop better group discussions and oral presentation skills • Write a formal review paper Course Materials COURSE TEXT The following text books are recommended for this course and they are available in the library: Introduction to Botany by Murray Nabors Biology of plants by Raven et al Plant programmed cell death by Arunika Gunawardena and Paul McCabe Additional reading: Plant cell biology, Plant cell culture, Plant cells and tissues A selection of articles will be employed throughout the course. These will be selected from online resources available at Dalhousie University or they will be posted on the class website. In addition, students are responsible for finding literature for their seminar and written report. Required journals can be accessed through Dalhousie online services. Suggested Journals: The Plant Cell, Annual Review of Plant Biology, Journal of Experimental Botany Journal of Plant Physiology, Planta, Plant and Cell Physiology, Plant Cell and Environment, Plant Cell Reports, Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Physiology, Trends in Plant Science, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, The Plant Journal: for Cell and Molecular Biology American Journal of Botany, Botany, PLoS One, BMC plant biology, Journal of experimental botany Course Assessment This class will be composed of in‐class examinations, a seminar and a written report. Component Weight (% of final grade) Date Quiz 1 and 2 5% 22 September and 15 November Mid‐term exam (in class) 35 % Oct 13 Seminar* 20% From Oct 18 Final report** 20 % Nov 15 Final exam 20 % Dec 06 * A topic related to PCD will be assigned to each student (20 mins long power point presentation followed by 15 mins questions) Seminar presentation: 10 %: content, delivery and organization 5%: answers to questions 5%: evaluation by students (see evaluation of class presentation form) ** Same topic as the seminar Final report: Page limit: 10 Format: Should follow the instructions for authors for “Trends in plant science” journal. More details will be given at the first class. Title page Abstract 200 words maximum (1) Introduction (4) Results and discussion (3) Conclusions and future perspectives (2) References and Figures: no page limit Marking scheme for final report Abstract – 3 marks Introduction, results and discussion ‐10 marks Conclusions and future perspectives – 5 marks Overall paper quality – 2 marks Other course requirements Submission date of the report: Penalty if 2‐5 days late: 5 % reduction per day. Any assignments not received within 5 days of the designated due date will be returned unread to the student and considered an F grade for the assignment. Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale A+ (90-100)
B+ (77-79)
C+ (65-69)
D
(50-54)
A
(85-89)
B (73-76)
C (60-64)
F
(<50)
A- (80-84)
B- (70-72)
C- (55-59)
Course Policies Class participation and 90 % attendance is required to pass the course. Attendance will be taken and without a valid reason* supplemental exams will not be offered. *A ‘valid reason' includes a medical reason (doctor’s note dated on the day that was missed i), a serious family emergency (documented proof will be required), or an important appointment/ meeting that cannot be moved (proof will be required). Course Content TOPIC‐BY‐TOPIC CLASS OUTLINE 06 September Introduction 08 September Photosynthesis I 13 September Photosynthesis II 15September Plant Cell I 20 September Plant Cell II 22 September Quiz 1 and plant tissue culture 27 September Confocal microscopy/Plant tissue culture lab 29 September Programmed cell death (PCD) 1 04 October Programmed cell death (PCD) II 06 October PCD in leaf morphogenesis I 11 October PCD in leaf morphogenesis II 13 October Midterm exam 18 October Xylem differentiation 20 October Aerenchyma formation 25 October Leaf senescence 27 October Hypersensitive cell death (virus) 01 November Hypersensitive cell death (bacteria) 03 November Hypersensitive cell death (fungus) 7‐11 November Study week 15 November Quiz 2 and Guest lecture Report submission 17 November Heat induced PCD 22 November Deletion of endosperm and embryonic suspensor 24 November Shedding of root cap cells 29 November Anther dehiscence 01 December PCD in bacteria 06 Dec End term exam ____________________________________________________________________________________ ACCOMMODATION POLICY FOR STUDENTS Students may request accommodation as a result of barriers related to disability, religious obligation, or any characteristic under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Students with disabilities are encouraged to register as quickly as possible at the Student Accessibility Services if they wish to receive academic accommodations. To do so please phone 494‐2836, e‐mail [email protected], drop in at the Mark A. Hill Accessibility Centre, or visit their website www.studentaccessibility.dal.ca. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Academic integrity, with its embodied values, is seen as a foundation of Dalhousie University. Our Academic Integrity website (http://academicintegrity.dal.ca) is an exceptional resource that provides students and faculty access to current university policies. It highlights issues of concern to discourage violations of acceptable conduct, and provides many links to help students succeed honestly. It is the responsibility of ALL students to be familiar with behaviours and practices associated with academic integrity – IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE FOR PLAGIARISM, CHEATING OR ANY OTHER ACADEMIC OFFENCE. At Dalhousie University, plagiarism is defined as “the submission or presentation of the work of another as if it were one’s own.” (Dalhousie Undergraduate Academic Calendar) Instructors are REQUIRED to forward any suspected cases of plagiarism to the Academic Integrity Officer for their Faculty. If you are accused of plagiarism you will be informed of the allegation by the Faculty of Science Academic Integrity Officer, and a date will be set for a meeting. You may contact Dalhousie Student Advocacy Services to assist you in preparing a defense. Until the case is resolved, your final letter grade will be an “INC”. If it is determined that you have committed an offence you will be penalized. Penalties are determined on a case by case basis. For more details see the Academic Integrity Website and Academic Regulations (http://academicintegrity.dal.ca). “Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offence that may lead to the assignment of a failing grade, suspension or expulsion from the University.” (Dalhousie Undergraduate Academic Calendar) STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Dalhousie University has a student code of conduct, and it is expected that students will adhere to the code during their participation in lectures and other activities associated with this course. In general: “The University treats students as adults free to organize their own personal lives, behaviour and associations subject only to the law, and to University regulations that are necessary to protect  the integrity and proper functioning of the academic and non – academic programs and activities of the University or its faculties, schools or departments;  the peaceful and safe enjoyment of University facilities by other members of the University and the public;  the freedom of members of the University to participate reasonably in the programs of the University and in activities on the University's premises;  the property of the University or its members.”
The full text of the code can be found here: http://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student‐life/code‐of‐student‐conduct.html