Plant Ecophysiology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for ecologists, wetland biologists, and wildlife biologists seeking to learn how plants survive in their environment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the developmental and physiological plasticity exhibited across the plant kingdom. Students who participate in class will be able to (i) explain the environmental challenges that limit plant growth and (ii) discuss the physiological mechanisms plants have evolved to adapt to these constraints. Some topics include water balance, plant “decision making” as it relates to nutrients and photosynthesis, allelopathy, and the elemental defense hypothesis.
PREREQUISITES
No formal plant biology classes are required.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Textbook: Plant Physiology and Development. Seventh Edition. Lincoln Taiz, Ian Max Møller, Angus Murphy, and Eduardo Zeiger Emeritus Author. ISBN: 9780197577240. https://exa.unne.edu.ar/biologia/fisiologia.vegetal/PlantPhysiologyTaiz2002.pdf
Various webpages and other resources introduced throughout the course
Instructor
Dr. Doug Van Hoewyk
Wetland/Environmental Scientist
COURSE FORMATS, CREDITS, DATES, & PRICING
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor during the 1st month for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for the 3-month term. After completing the course, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training (pending approval), and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Pending
*** This version of the course can NOT be used to earn academic credit from your college or university or to earn a professional certificate with CWS. See the PREMIUM format below ***
DATES & PRICES:
Summer: June 3 - Aug 25 (early bird* ends May 6): $500 professional / $400 student
*Early bird saves $50
Complete a final project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (from your home institution). A fee of $200/credit for students and $300/credit for professionals will apply. If interested, please reach out to info@centerforwildlifestudies.org.
FORMAT: Reach out to your instructor for help with course materials as you work through prerecorded lectures and exercises. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, attending group meetings, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course materials, your research, datasets from work, etc. You will have access to course materials for 1 year. After working through the course, set up an optional meeting with the instructor to discuss your own personal project from work or school.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training (pending approval), and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to pass the course (P/F) and receive a CWS certificate of course completion, which can be submitted to ESA and TWS for CEUs. See our Continuing Education Page for more details about CEUs with ESA and TWS.
ESA & TWS CERTIFICATION: Pending
ACADEMIC CREDIT: This 1-credit course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a your college or university. For an additional fee, students also have the option to complete an Applied Project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (earning up to 2-3 academic credits in total). See our Academic Credit Page for details.
DATES & PRICES:
Summer: June 3 - Aug 25 (early bird* ends May 6): $600 professional / $500 student
*Early bird saves $50
Complete a final project for an additional 1-2 academic credits (from your home institution). A fee of $200/credit for students and $300/credit for professionals will apply. If interested, please reach out to info@centerforwildlifestudies.org.
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To understand the evolution of different phylum across the plant kingdom and discuss the unique aspects of plant cells and anatomy.
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To understand why water and nutrient availability constrain plant growth, and the different evolutionary strategies to survive when these factors become limiting.
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To understand how hormones influence plant growth and development during uncertain environmental conditions.
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How photosynthesis is measured in the field
Adaptations to photosynthesis
How plants respond when light is limiting or excessively toxic
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To understand how plants respond to salt, heavy metals, flooding, and drought
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To appreciate the vital symbiotic relationships between plants and microbes, and to discover how plants have evolved a vast array of chemicals to deter herbivores.
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To understand traditional and modern approaches to improving crop yield
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.