An introduction to the major groups in the plant kingdom, their origin, classification, and economic importance. The areas of anatomy, morphology, cytology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and ecology will be explored as they relate to plant sciences and agriculture.

Credits: 4.0

Instructor(s): Jeneen Fields

Offered: Fall and Spring

Credits: 4.0

Instructor(s): Morgan Furze & Scott McAdam

Offered: Fall

Credits: 4.0

Instructor(s): Damon Lisch, Leonor Boavida

Offered: Spring

This course delivers a broad synthesis of microbiology, discussing all taxa of the microbial world. The course also discusses a wide range of subjects related to microbiology, including medical microbiology, but it has a strong emphasis on the botanical and environmental sciences. One particular characteristic that separates it from other microbiology courses is the reduced emphasis upon bacteriology, with discussions of the protists and viruses and, especially of the fungi, occurring in greater detail than the other general microbiology courses available.

 Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Cathie Aime

Offered: Spring

Credits: 1.0

Instructor(s): Leonor Boavida

Offered: Spring

This course focuses on fundamental knowledge of the internal structure of plants, including distinct cell types, tissures, tissue systems, and organs that make up a plant.  Lectures and laboratories will cover the structural parts that comprise the plant body including three major vegetative organs (roots, stems, and leaves) and a set of reproductive organs (flowers, fruits, and seeds).  The goal of this course is to understand the internal organization of plants, to learn multiple lab techniquies critical for plant science research, and to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Yun Zhou

Offered: Fall

This course covers the history of agriculture, with focus on the centers of origin of our major food, fiber, and medicinal plants, and their historical, cultural, and economic relevance. The course also surveys the biology of crop plants, with respect to taxonomy, anatomy, cell structure, physiology, development, and genetics. Discussions also center on the roles plant biotechnology may play in sustainable agriculture and in helping to alleviate problems caused by overpopulation and ecological stresses.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Gyeong-Mee Yoon

Offered: Fall

Supervised individual laboratory or field research (Freshmen and Sophomores). A written report of work accomplished will be required. May be repeated once for credit. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 3.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Basic principles of plant pathology, including etiology, symptomatology, control, and epidemiology of representative diseases of plants.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Lei Zhang

Offered: Fall

This course will provide an introduction to the broad field of plant ecology. Through lectures and lab assignments, students will gain an in-depth understanding of ecological concepts regarding the occurrence and distribution of plant species and populations. Students will also gain insights into the application of these concepts to the conservation and management of plant species and populations.

Credit: 3.0

Instructor(s): Christopher Oakley

Offered: Spring

A survey of the scientific principles underlying weed control practices; emphasis is on the ecology of weeds and control in crop associations. It is recommended that this course be followed by BTNY 50400.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Bryan Young

Offered: Fall

The principles of classification of seed plants, with emphasis on methods of identification in laboratory and field. Requires class trips. Students will pay individual lodging or meal expenses when necessary.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor: Scott McAdam

Offered: Fall

(HORT 35000) A study of the methods used to produce genetically modified organisms, primarily using gene transfer technology, and the application of these organisms in agriculture. The uses of microbes, plants, and animals in agricultural biotechnology are examined. Social, economic, and ethical issues related to biotechnology are discussed.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Robert Pruitt

Offered: Spring

This course deals with special topics in botany not covered in regular undergraduate coursework. Credit depends upon work done. May be repeated once for credit. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 3.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

This course will focus on the fundamentals of plant cellular and developmental biology. Topics to be covered include: the structure and function of plant organelles and membranes; the cell cycle; DNA, RNA and protein synthesis; the secretory pathway, and the cellular basis of development and whole plant morphogenesis.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Anjali Iyer-Pacuzzi

Offered: Spring

Study Abroad Series to Peru

Instructor: Jeneen Fields

BTNY 43100 - Planning for International Engagement Methods

Credit Hours: 1.00.  A team-based laboratory course for students who seek experience working with international partners to plan and conduct quality service-learning projects. Using established partner relationships, students will work with international partners to address hands-on, real-world, identified challenges to learn the principles of extension methodology and sustainable community development by integrating their discipline knowledge and technical skills from previous courses. Students will also learn the intercultural communication, market analysis, project design and planning, entrepreneurial business planning for micro-credit loans and business ventures, and cultural factors affecting community food security while they work in bi-national teams to determine how best to apply their classroom knowledge and experience to respond to partners' needs and local resource constraints.          

BTNY 43110 - Study Abroad travel to Peru

Credit Hours: 1.00. Travel portion

BTNY 43120 - Evaluating International Engagement Methods

Credit Hours: 1.00.  Designed for students who have just returned from the Engagement Methods for Int'l Food Security course or have previous experience working with our partners. In order to 1) fully comprehend the impact of the experience and 2) foster true long-term relationships with and service to our partners, it is required to work on our projects when we return. Matt McGregor, Former Exec. Dir. of Timmy Global Health, told us that "it's not really about the trip". It is essential that we accomplish: 1) Closure of trip experiences with partners and contacts - thank you's and complete follow-up; 2) Reflection of Purdue student experiences and personal goals/follow-up actions; 3) Promotion of food insecurity realities and opportunities for support; and 4) Planning, recommendations, and promotion of future service learning courses.

Professional preparation for careers in plant sciences. Career development activities including resume and cover letter preparation, job search and interview preparation, and participation in career fairs. In addition, the student will polish skills in preparation of seminar, extension publications, press releases and communicating science to lay personnel based on current issues in pest management and crop protection.

Credits: 1.0

Instructor(s): Michael Mickelbart

Offered: Fall

Supervised individual laboratory or field research (Juniors and Seniors). A written report of work accomplished will be required. May be repeated once for credit. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 3.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Admission to the honors program. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 6.0

Instructor(s): Tesfaye Mengiste

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Emphasizes the mode and mechanism of herbicide action and herbicide interaction with plants, and the biology and ecology of weedy plants.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Bryan Young

Offered: Fall (Odd Years)

Principles of weed biology and ecology, with focus on reproduction and ecophysiology, population dynamics, community ecology, and ecosystem level phenomena. Instruction will emphasize the development and refinement of critical thinking skills.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Kevin Gibson & William Johnson

Offered: Fall (Even Years)

Examines the biological and pathological characteristics of major causal agents; concepts of epidemiology and disease assessment; physiology, genetics, and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions; disease management practices; and methods of disease diagnosis.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Tesfaye Mengiste and Guri Johal

Offered: Fall (odd years)

Plant disease epidemics occur due to the suitable combination of various elements of the agroecosystem. Many plant pathogens and diseases have increased their geographic distribution and intensity in the U.S. and the world. A lack of epidemiological understanding can exacerbate problems and significantly challenge the management of diseases at the field level. This course is an introduction to the epidemiological basis of disease management strategies. The course includes concepts in botanical epidemiology, disease assessment and measurement, disease modeling, epidemics comparison, and a revision of the traditional plant disease control principles. Plant Disease Epidemiology is an upper-level course for students interested in plant pathology, agronomy, data-driven Ag, national or international agriculture, or closely related areas. Although some pathosystems are used as model systems, Plant Disease Epidemiology is not a “how-to” course on controlling specific plant diseases.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Christian Cruz

Offered: Spring

Lectures cover general features of fungi, unique characteristics of major fungal groups, fungal interactions with other organisms, and principles of fungal genetics. Lab exercises include examination of representative species from major groups of fungi and classical and molecular manipulations of fungi.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Jin-Rong Xu

Offered: Fall (Odd Years)

Future agricultural production and the environment will encounter multifaceted challenges from global climate change, heat and drought incidence and severity, and limited land and resources. An understanding of how plant responds to these changes is essential to develop new technologies and systems approaches to mitigate the negative impacts and enhance agricultural crop productivity. This is an advanced plant biology course covering the present state of understanding of phenological, physiological, and molecular and genetic mechanisms and processes by which plants acclimate to transient and chronic environmental extremes.

Cross listed with HORT 55100 (Plant Responses To The Environment)

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Michael Mickelbart

Offered: Fall

This is mainly a laboratory exercise course designed to help students to be more familiar with common molecular techniques used in plant pathology studies. Techniques will include DNA/RNA isolation, hybridization, sequence analyses, various PCR reactions, library construction and screening, protein isolation, and plant transformation. Lectures will cover basic principles and applied aspects of molecular studies in plant pathology, and recent advances in genomics and proteomics techniques.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Zhixiang Chen

Offered: Spring

Plant pathology is the science of plant diseases and of the microorganisms that cause them and of our attempts to manage plant diseases. The ultimate goal of plant pathologists is to reduce the losses caused by diseases, thereby, increasing both the quality and quantity of the world food supply. Plant diseases are caused by the same types of microorganisms that cause disease in animals and humans and, as such, many of the principles that apply to human and animal medicine apply to plant diseases. It is the objective of this course to introduce students to the major types of plant pathogens (plant pathogenic bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and fungi), their basic biology and examples of the types of diseases they cause. It will be expected that students have knowledge in plant pathology.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Zhixiang Chen, Sue Loesch-Fries, & Jin-Rong Xu

Offered: Fall

This course is intended to help students understand why having some kind of model is probably essential to the scientific process. The intent is to show students that they probably already have a model in their heads, and they just don’t know it! Few biologists realize that when they can draw a picture of their system, or explain important pathways in words, that this is a model. From there, it isn’t hard to start some basic math. The course will be a broad overview of different techniques that can be used to model biological systems. Each lecture topic in this course could itself form an entire course, so students will not complete the course as experts in mathematical modeling. Instead, the objectives are to: 1) expose students to a number of tools in mathematical modeling; 2) give students some practical experience with these tools; and; 3) develop a component of their thesis research into a model. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Gordon McNickle

Offered: Spring

This course will provide a broad and integrated overview of the current status of plant hormone research. All aspects of plant hormones including biosynthesis, metabolism, transport, signal transduction will be discussed in relation to the role of hormones in plant growth and developmental processes. Cross-talk between hormones and how plants use hormones to integrate developmental or environmental signals to regulate plant growth will be included. In addition, practical aspects of hormones in the agriculture, horticulture, and pathogen responses will be covered to demonstrate the impacts of basic plant science to a modern agriculture. The course will consist of lecture and discussion of primary research papers. Upon completion of the course, the students will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the action of plant hormones as growth regulators, critical thinking skills, and ethical research.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Gyeong Mee Yoon

Offered: Fall (Odd Years)

Open to graduate students and qualified undergraduates who desire to study special problems in plant science not covered in regular coursework. Credit dependent upon work done. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 3.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Understanding the functional mechanisms of cells and tissues is the foundation to analyze complex phenotypes, and this course focuses on the fundamental cellular activities and quantitative methods for their analysis. The course dissects the biomechanics of growth, cytoskeletal and cell wall systems as a function of growth dynamics, protein targeting, inter-organelle transport, and vesicle trafficking. The first half of the course will be devoted to understanding the cellular processes that choreograph plant growth, whereas the second half of the course will explore the growth–defense tradeoff as a platform for deeper understanding of plant signal transduction, cytoskeleton remodeling and vesicle trafficking.  The course will intermingle background lectures on the fundamentals of cellular processes with a deep dive into the current literature. Student participation is expected through daily discussions, literature presentation, and homework assignments. Cross listed with BIOL 59500U. 

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Christopher Staiger and Dan Szymanski

Offered: Fall (Even years)

Credits: 1.0

Instructor(s): Christopher Staiger

Offered: Spring

This course is for graduate students and advanced undergraduates who wish to gain an introduction to modern plant development biology with an emphasis on the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling the life cycle of the plant (from seed to seed). The specific objectives of this course are to: 1. Understand how cells, tissues, and organs are specified throughout plant development; 2. Understand how genetic approaches are used to dissect developmental processes; 3.Learn how to read and evaluate the scientific literature related to plant development; 4. Formulate hypotheses and design experiments that address a question in plant development (in a written research proposal); 5. Learn how to be an effective peer reviewer.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Sharon Kessler

Offered: Spring

This course is a weekly seminar designed to introduce students to a variety of career paths available to researchers with a PhD in the plant sciences. As part of their talk, speakers will discuss their day-to-day activities, the best and worst aspects of their jobs, work-life balance, and their career paths. Students will have the opportunity to ask speakers questions during class. If you have every wondered 'what will I do after grad school?' or 'how do I find the right job for me?' this course is for you.

Credits: 1.0

Instructor(s): Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi

Offered: Every Even Fall

Symptomatology and diagnosis of diseases of field crop, vegetable, fruit, ornamental, and tree plants. Emphasis is on the collection and study of diseases in field, greenhouse, and storage. Prerequisite: BTNY 30100.

Credits: 2.0

Instructor(s): Janna Beckerman

Offered: Summer (Odd Years)

This course makes an exhaustive attempt to dissect the nature of plant disease and resistance mechanisms in plants. Special emphasis is placed on emerging concepts and paradigms that underlie a wide variety of plant-pathogen interactions, and how the knowledge gleaned from these studies is being used to devise effective and environmentally safe strategies of plant protection. It is expected that students have knowledge in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant pathology.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Guri Johal

Offered: Spring

This is a course on coping with publication in professional journals. It covers the full range of activities involved in carrying a piece of original research to completion as a primary research article in a refereed journal. Emphasis is on principles of clear and concise technical reporting. Topics include: research and writing goals; journals’ policies; data presentations; effective style; organizing, writing, revising, and processing manuscripts; proofreading; peer review; ethics; and grant proposals. Students will use their own data to prepare a manuscript as if for publication. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 3.0

Instructor(s): Damon Lisch

Offered: Spring

This course is aimed at first year graduate students in the Botany department. Its purpose is to introduce the students to the department, teach them what it takes to be a successful graduate students, and to help them develop effective written and oral communication skills.

Credits: 1.0

Instructor(s): Sharon Kessler

Offered: Fall

Research MS Thesis. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 18.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Research PhD Thesis. Permission of instructor required.

Credits: 1.0 to 18.0

Instructor(s): Various

Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer