course-details-portlet

BI2021 - Plant Ecophysiology

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 40/100 4 hours A
Portfolio 60/100

Course content

This course is offered every second year, next time in the autumn 2024. It builds on the foundation in plant physiology established in BI1007 with an emphasis on ecophysiology. It covers the physiological processes involved in plant interaction with the environment, including water relations, gas exchange, energy balance, mineral nutrition, responses to the environment, plant defenses and stress physiology. These processes will be discussed with respect to current problems in agriculture and the environment such as crop and forest productivity and global change. The lab and project work includes measurements of water relations and hydraulic architecture, chlorophyll fluorometry and gas exchange, and frost tolerance. This course provides a physiological background for students studying plant ecology.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • On completion of the course the students should be familiar with basic principles and methods in plant ecophysiology.

Skills:

The student will be able to:

  • Use a chlorophyll fluorometer and analyze and interpret chlorophyll fluorescence measurements
  • Use a pressure chamber to measure xylem and leaf water potentials and construct and interpret a pressure-volume curve
  • Make flow rate measurements in woody plant segments and use these to calculate hydraulic architecture parameters
  • Use image analysis software to measure leaf area and/or quantify visible symptoms of injury
  • Use a gas-exchange instrument for measurement of photosynthesis and respiration in plants and interpret the results

General competence:

The student will be able to:

  • Conduct and interpret measurements using a variety of instruments and methods
  • Analyze and present quantitative results in graphs and tables
  • Interpret results and draw conclusions based on them

Learning methods and activities

Lecture and discussion 30 hours

Laboratory work: 20 hours mandatory

Compulsory assignments

Data analysis assignments, short scientific research article

Further on evaluation

The exam counts for 40% of the grade on the course.

Portfolio (60% of final grade):

  • Data analysis worksheets 50% of portfolio grade / 30% of final grade
  • Short scientific article 50% of portfolio grade / 30% of final grade

In the case of 'fail' or 'retake':

  • A final examination is held during the exam period each semester. The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught.
  • Portfolio can be retaken by following the teaching again.

Appeals:

  • You must appeal within three weeks after the grade has been published or you've received an explanation of your grade.

Required previous knowledge

BI 1007 or equivalent introductory course in plant physiology

Course materials

Taiz, Lincoln, and Eduardo Zeiger. Plant Physiology. 6th ed. Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer Associates, 2014. Selected journal articles.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
BO2021 7.5 AUTUMN 2011
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: English

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Biology
  • Botany
  • Ecology
Contact information
Course coordinator: Lecturer(s):

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Biology

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 40/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD Portfolio 60/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD School exam 40/100 A 2024-06-05 15:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Portfolio 60/100
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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