Outlines of Major Courses

Course Title: Diversity of Plants

Course Code: BOTN1113

Credit Hours: 3 (2 + 1)

Prerequisite: Intermediate / A Levels with Biology

Course/Module Aims: The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive
understanding of the major plant groups including their characteristics, classification, significance
and evolutionary relationship. This knowledge will enable them to identify and categorize different
plant groups.
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students would be able to:
Understand the principles of plant diversity, including the structure, classification,
reproduction and evolution of various plant groups.
Identify and categorize different plant species based on their morphological features and
taxonomic characteristics.
Describe the ecological roles of plants in various ecosystems, understanding their
interactions with other organisms and their impact on the environment.
Discuss the economic, cultural, and ecological significance of plants for human society,
including their use in agriculture, medicine, and industry.
Recognize the threats to plant diversity and understand the importance of conservation
efforts for preserving endangered plant species and habitats.
Analyze the adaptations of plants to different environmental conditions and the influence
of abiotic and biotic factors on plant distribution.
Assessment Strategies:
Lecture Based Examination (Objective and Subjective)
Assignments
Class discussion
18
 Quiz
Tests
Course/Module Outline:
Habitat, structure and reproduction of:
Viruses: RNA and DNA types with special reference to TMV.
Prokaryotes
Bacteria
Cyanobacteria: Nostoc, Anabaena, Oscillatoria
Eukaryotes
Algae: Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra, Chara, Vaucheria, Pinnularia, Ectocarpus,
Polysiphonia
Fungi: Mucor, Penicillium, Ustilago, Puccinia, Agaricus
Lichens: Physcia
Bryophytes: Riccia, Anthoceros, Funaria.
Pteridophytes: Psilotum, Selaginella, Equisetum, Marsilea
Gymnosperms
Angiosperms
Practical:
1. Study of morphology and reproductive structures of the organisms mentioned in theory.
2. Identification of various organisms mentioned in the theory from prepared slides and fresh
material.
3. Field visit to study various groups of plants.
Textbook(s):
Enger, E.D., Ross, F.C. & Baily, D.B. (2012). Concepts in Biology, 14th Edition, McGraw-
Hill, New York.
Hussain, F. 2012. A Text Book of Botany and Biodiversity. Pak Book Empire.
Ingrouille, M. (1992). Diversity and Evolution of Land Plants. Chapman and Hall.
Vashishta, B.R. (1991). Botany for degree students (all volumes). S. Chand and Company.
Ltd., New Delhi.
Recommended Books:

19
 Agrios, G.N. (2004). Plant Pathology. 8th Ed., Academic Press London.
Alexopoulos, C.J., C.W. Mims and M. Blackwell. (1996). Introductory Mycology. 4 th Ed.,
John Wiley and Sons Publishers.
Andrew, H.N. (1961). Studies in Paleobotany. John Willey and Sons.
Lee, R.E. (1999). Phycology. Cambridge University Press, UK.
Marti. J. Ingrouille & Plant: Diversity and Evolution. 2006 CUP
Mauseth, J. D. (2003). Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology. 3rd Ed., Jones and Bartlett
Pub. UK.
Prescott, L.M., J.P. Harley and A.D. Klein. (2004). Microbiology, 3rd Ed., W.M.C. Brown
Publishers.
Taylor, T.N. and E.D. Taylor. (2000). Biology and Evolution of Fossil Plants. Prentice Hall.
New York.
Journals:
Pakistan Journal of Botany, American Journal of Botany, Canadian Journal of Botany,
Annals of Botany, Botanical Journal of Linnaean Society.
********

20