BIOL 172 Diversity of Life and Plant Science

An introduction to the diversity of life, including biological systematics, evolutionary theory, natural history and plant biology. Topics include the processes and patterns of evolution, speciation and phylogenies, and the major clades of life. Of particular emphasis is the diversity of plants and their natural histories in relation to their respective form and function. Plant anatomy, physiology, genetics, pathology and ecology will be discussed with specific reference to economically and medicinally important plant groups. While this course meets the QuEST Laboratory Science requirement for all majors, it is taught at a level appropriate for science majors.