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Field Botany
(Biology 476)
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formerly “Vascular Plants” ~
A field course focusing on identification and classification of
naturally-occurring trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in the eastern United States.
Emphasis on the Virginia
flora, field sampling techniques, and herbarium preservation of collected
plant materials.
What will you learn?
Practical
skills in tree and wildflower identification & classification;
distinguishing characteristics of ecologically and economically important
Angiosperm, Gymnosperm, & Seedless Vascular (e.g., ferns) plant families.
Much time will be spent identifying plants on local and regional field trips,
greenhouse explorations, and individual plant collections - to familiarize
you with species native and naturalized in the eastern US. Vegetation
sampling techniques used in ecology and forestry, and environmental concerns
in southern Appalachian plant communities, also will be discussed.
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 Economic Botany
(Biology 215)
~ formerly “General
Botany” ~
An interdisciplinary exploration into
the vital role plants and plant products play in human societies. Throughout
history, we have depended on plants as sources of foods, beverages, herbs
& spices; medicinal & recreational drugs; oils & waxes; paper
& wood fibers, and many other products. The field of Economic Botany
investigates anthropological, social, ecological, and environmental issues
associated with human’s use of plants.
In this course, much of our time is spent investigating plants and plant products
- tasting fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices, learning techniques for
growing or producing plant products, and exploring ethnobotanical and
tropical plant collections in the RU Greenhouse. As a basis for these topics,
we also discuss the essential topics of botany - plant structure, growth and
metabolism, nutrition, breeding, plant ecology, and the diversity and
classification of organisms traditionally studied by botanists.
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General Biology I
& II (Biology 121-122)
General Biology I (BIOL 121): This is the first course in a two-semester sequence, introducing
you to the biological principles underlying the unity and diversity of living
organisms. Topics include evolution by means of natural selection, ecology
and diversity, cell structure and function, energy acquisition and
utilization (photosynthesis and cellular respiration), mechanisms of
inheritance, biotechnology, and methods of scientific investigation.
Laboratory experiments and projects apply course concepts and scientific
methodology to biological research questions. BIOL 121 is intended for
students majoring in biology, medical technology, and other sciences and is a
prerequisite for all upper-level biology courses. (Note: This course does not
fulfill the natural science General Education requirement.)
General Biology II (BIOL 121): This is the second course in a
two-semester sequence,
introducing you to the biological principles underlying the unity and
diversity of living organisms. Topics include phylogenetic classification and
investigation into the diversity, structure, and function of major groups of
organisms (including bacteria, archaea, protists, plants, fungi, and
animals). Laboratory experiments and projects will apply course concepts and
scientific methodology to biological research questions. BIOL 122 is intended
for students majoring in biology, medical technology, and other areas of
science and is a prerequisite for all upper-level biology courses. (Note:
This course does not fulfill the natural science General Education
requirement.)
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 Environmental
Biology
(Biology 103)
An introduction to ecology,
evolution, and the impacts of humans on the natural world, with emphasis on
the diversity and sustainability of natural ecosystems. BIOL 103 fulfills
General Education credit in the Physical and Natural Sciences.
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Human Biology (Biology 104)
An
introduction to the study of humans as biological organisms, with emphasis on
humans as products of evolution, physiological systems, members of their ecosystems,
and biological engineers able to influence and modify other organisms. Current applications to biological
technology and their social and ethical implications will be considered. BIOL
104 is designed for students who are not Biology majors and fulfills General
Education credit in the Physical and Natural Sciences.
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Dr. Christine J. Small