BIO 254 - Research in Plant Biology

Plants have evolved unique growth, reproductive, and life history strategies in response to their environment and their demographic and evolutionary history. As such, plants are fascinating research subjects for understanding the factors that promote or limit adaptive evolution. In this group investigation course, students will conduct independent and/or collaborative research projects that test hypotheses related to the evolutionary ecology of plants. Students will critically read and discuss primary literature articles, regularly present their findings to the group, and summarize their efforts and results in a write-up at the end of the semester. By the end of the course, students will have further developed their skills in reviewing the primary literature, experimental design, data management and analysis, and science communication.