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:
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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)
Quiz 1 and 2
5%
Mid-term exam (in class)
35 %
Seminar*
20%
Final report**
20 %
Final exam
20 %
Date
22 September and 15 November
Oct 13
From Oct 18
Nov 15
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
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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