This course is a combination of “What's that wildflower?” and “Why does it grow over there and not here?” We begin by examining large-scale patterns of plant diversity from an evolutionary and phylogenetic perspective and then shift to an ecological perspective. Along the way, we zoom in to specific concepts and processes that help us understand overall patterns. Laboratories will primarily be taught in the field and greenhouses and will include plant identification, observational and experimental studies, and long-term study of forest communities on the Wellesley campus. Laboratories will also include aspects of experimental design and data analysis. The goal of the course is not only to train students in botany and plant ecology, but to engage them in the world of plants every time they step outside.

Units: 1.25

Max Enrollment: 14

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: One of the following - ES 100, ES 101, BISC 108, BISC 111, BISC 111T, BISC 113, BISC 113Y; or permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have taken BISC 347/ES 347.

Instructor: Griffith

Distribution Requirements: LAB - Natural and Physical Sciences Laboratory; NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: The course is offered at the 300-level as BISC 347/ES 347.