Undergraduate DEGREE courses

BPS Modules >> Third Year

Third year Botany and Plant Science modules

BT301 (BT311, BT316 and BT317) 

Three, 2-unit modules are offered to Third Year students by the Discipline of Botany and Plant Science. Each module is a stand-alone course. However, students wishing to proceed to 4th year Honours Botany are required to take at least two of the three modules. These modules (separately and together) are also open to students proceeding to B.Sc. (Hons; non-denominated and denominated), for example Marine Science* students and students with general interests in Biology, Environment, Sustainability,  Agriculture, Plant Evolution, Plant Science, Plant Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.

* for Marine Science students wishing to take Botany as an option in Third year, a special course is available ('Applications of  Plant Science in Biotechnology and Ecology'). Please contact the Marine Science Course Coordinator for details.

Prerequisites for BT312 and BT316: BT208 and BT209, i.e. 2nd year modules in Botany.

BT316 (Plant Ecology and Palaeoecology): 12 ECTS Credits. Taught in Semester I

Lecturers: Dr. Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington; Dr. Karen Bacon; Dr. Peter McKeown

Phytosociology (Dr. Karen Bacon): Methods of vegetation sampling, classification and ordination. Use of computers for the analysis of phytosociological data. Vegetation mapping. Introductory survey of the principal Irish plant communities.
Vegetation Ecology (Dr M. Sheehy Skeffington): Introduction to ecosystems and energy flow. Ecology, structure and vegetation description of principal habitats in Ireland - woodlands, grasslands and peatlands. Dynamics of vegetation, short-term change with time - primary succession.
Soil-Plant Relationships (Dr Peter McKeown): Introduction to soil properties, both physical and chemical and how to measure them. Description of principal soil types in Ireland. Plant specialisation: calcicole-calcifuge species. Plants living in saline habitats and in anaerobic conditions.
Palaeoecology (Dr. Karen Bacon): Introduction to the main palaeoecological techniques used in the reconstruction of past environments. Pollen analysis: principles and methods. Late-glacial environmental change at both global and regional/local levels, and consideration of the possible climate-forcing mechanisms involved. Holocene environmental change and long-term human impact on vegetation and soils in Ireland. Introduction to the evidence for major climate oscillation on a global scale during the Quaternary (Ice Ages).

BT316 Field Course: Students taking module BT316 are required to participate in a residential field-course in plant ecology that takes place immediately after the written summer examinations (normally towards the end of May). This course will be based in a region of high ecological/conservation interest such as Killarney, the Midlands, including the mid-Shannon region, north Mayo/Sligo, etc.

BT316, with its emphasis on plant ecology (present and past), habitat description, and short and long-term environmental change, is an option that is strongly recommended to B.Sc. Environmental Science students. The module may be selected by Third Year Environmental Science students and Fourth Year Environmental Science students who have not taken this unit in Third Year.

BT312 (Applied Aquatic Plant Science):  12 ECTS Credits. Taught in Semester II.

Lecturers: Dr. Dagmar Stengel and Dr. Zoe Popper

Applied and Environmental Aquatic Plant Science (Dr D. Stengel): Applied and environmental aspects of Aquatic Plant Science, with emphasis, but not exclusively, on Marine Plant Science.  Distribution and ecology of seaweeds and algae-enironment interactions; Economic and ecological importance of marine plants and methods for their sustainable utilization. On- and off-shore cultivation techniques and methods for utilizing and managing natural resources. The history of the Irish seaweed industry and prospects for future development.  
Applications of plant physiology (Dr Zoe Popper):  Growth and development, responses to biotic and abiotic factors, secondary metabolites and genetically modified crops.

BT312 Field Course: Students taking module BT317 are required to participate in non-residential field excursions. These take place during term and include an excursion to the University Research Station at Finnavara, N. Burren, Co. Clare.

BT312: Applications of Plant Science in Biotechnology and Ecology (semester II). This course is available to Marine Science students who wish to take 3rd year Botany, in combination with BT316. Please contact Dr D. Stengel or the Marine Science Course Coordinator for details.

BT311 (Plant & AgriBiosciences for Sustainable Development): 12 ECTS Credits. Taught in Semester I and II

Lecturer: Prof Charles Spillane

This module provides advanced training in plant and agri-biosciences (particularly genetics and biotechnology approaches) for addressing major sustainable development challenges facing society. The module will inform and update students of the mega-challenges humanity faces for ensuring provision of plant-derived food, fibre, fuel (energy), medicines, green chemicals and biomaterials to 2050. The module will focus on current sustainable development challenges facing Ireland, EU member states and particularly developing countries. Plant and agri-biosciences research approaches for sustainable development will be covered in depth and will include plant, forestry, livestock and microalgal genetics, molecular biology/genetics, cell and tissue culture, propagation biology, genetic engineering, chromosome biology, epigenetics, genomics, bioinformatics and synthetic biology. A major focus will be placed on plant and agri-biosciences research which levers solar-powered photosynthetic organisms to facilitate a societal transition to a more sustainable bio-based economy. Lectures will be complemented with lab practicals, field and study visits to research sites, visiting lectures and assigments for students to investigate and develop their own innovative approaches for applying biosciences research to addressing major sustainable development challenges.

Assessment of 3rd year modules
Written examinations for BT316 at the end of Semester I (before Christmas)

Written examinations for BT311 and BT312 take place at the end of Semester II (Summer examinations, end April/beginning May), respectively.

Practical (and tutorial) examinations are by continuous assessment which includes mini-project reports, class presentations, etc. based on laboratory work.

Lectures and laboratory/tutorial sessions
For BT316 and BT312 lectures are as follows: Monday (10.00-11.00h); Tuesday (11.00-12.00h), Wednesday (9.00-10.00h) and Friday 12.00-13.00h. For BT316 and BT312 there is one 4-h laboratory session per week. This takes place on Thursdays (14.00-18.00h). For BT311, schedules for lectures, practicals and tutorials for 2011-2012 will be announced.  

Queries regarding 3rd Year Botany and Plant Science lectures and Labs can be directed to the 3rd Year Coordinators: Dr. Peter McKeown and Dr. Ronan Sulpice.

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