Postgraduate Course: Biodiversity of Cryptogams and Fungi (PGBI11047)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Many cryptogamic plants and fungi are important indicator organisms, increasingly used to monitor environmental change and pollution over timescales of years to millions of years. Their global significance in nutrient cycling and biosphere atmosphere interactions has only become clear in the last few decades. However, expertise in identifying cryptogams is nationally and internationally rare. This course is designed to develop skills in interpreting cryptogam structure, as a basis for identifying algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, ferns and their allies, and conifers. Application of these skills in conservation and monitoring will also be discussed. Within the UK, RBGE is unique in being to offer training of this kind. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | It is RECOMMENDED that students also take
Biodiversity (ZLGY10017)
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| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | none |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Ability to recognize the major groups of cryptogamic plants and fungi, and to describe and interpret their morphology.
2. Knowledge of the methods and resources needed to identify selected groups of organisms (important indicator organisms, ecologically significant organisms, etc) to species level (NB methods and resources only; there is no requirement to learn to recognize specific plants or fungi).
3. Awareness of the ecological range and roles of cryptogamic plants and fungi.
4. Awareness of the value of cryptogamic plants and fungi in ecological and palaeoecological monitoring, and a basic understanding of how such monitoring is done (selected groups only).
5. Understanding of the basis state species-level taxonomy in the major groups of cryptogamic plants and an evaluation of how this will affect dependent scientific research and applications.
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Assessment Information
| Practical examination at RGBE(not centrally arranged) 2hr problem paper. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Cryptogam, Lower plants, algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, ferns, pteridophytes |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Andrew Hudson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3383
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Carolyn Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8651
Email: |
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