BIOL2040-1

Duration

25h Th, 12h Pr

Number of credits

	Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)	4 crédits

Lecturer

Nicolas Magain

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

On earth, there is a great diversity of organisms doing photosynthesis, using solar energy to produce their energy. The aim of this course is to give the student an idea of ¿¿the diversity of these organisms, of the relationships (or not) between them, and of the major events and innovations that have led to today's diversity.
This course consists mainly of two parts
1. The evolution of the green lineage (kingdom of plants), and the evolutionary history and innovations that led to the current diversity of red and green algae, bryophytes, ferns, lycophytes, seed and flowering plants etc. We will also focus on particular lifestyles such as parasitic or carnivorous plants.
2. The diversity of photosynthetic organisms that are not part of the green line (brown algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, euglenes, etc.) as well as their close non-photosynthetic relatives). The key concept of endosymbiosis will be discussed, to understand this great diversity within the tree of life.
A lesson will also be devoted to fungi, and their relationship to photosynthetic organisms.
The goal is for the student to get a concrete idea of ¿¿the diversity of photosynthetic organisms and their relationships.
In addition to the theoretical aspects, we will browse scientific articles as case studies, to see how evolutionary biology research is done today, and what the latest recent advances are.
The diversity of organisms will be illustrated through various media, including internet and video.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

-Get an idea of the diversity of photosynthetic organisms on earth, of the kinship relationships between them, and of the main features that characterize the different groups.
-Visualize the path of events that led to this current diversity
-Realize that the evolution is not linear and directional, and the amount of convergence, horizontal transfers etc. that have led to today's diversity
- Being able to walk in nature anywhere on earth and relate the different organisms encountered to their taxonomical group

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of biology and botany is an asset

Basic knowledge in evolutionary biology, in particular via the course "Introduction to evolutionary biology" of block 3 of bachelor

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Classical course with richly illustrated slide shows, and various media (video, internet).

When possible, meeting with doctoral students or early-career scientists working on the aspects seen in the course, to get a concrete idea of the work of a scientist working on these themes.

Practical work by groups dedicated to plant biodiversity and classification will be organized with the Herbarium and the OMP (Observatory of the World of Plants). A report will be prepared at the end ot the practical work.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Additional information:

Depending on sanitary conditions, the course will take place face-to-face, remotely or in hybrid. We favor face-to-face.

Work placement(s)

None

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course