Undergraduate courses

BPS Modules >> Fourth Year

4th year Botany BSc degree

Course Code: BT401 (60 ECTS)

The 4th year module structure of Fourth Year Honours Botany, i.e. BSc (Hons), final year Botany, is outlined below. 

Final Year Botany & Plant Science Research Project & Dissertation

Each student undertakes a significant research project (i.e. independent research for approx 5 months under the supervision and direction of an academic staff member of the Department). The research topic is selected at the end of 3rd year in consultation with staff members and is based on available research projects in the research team of each academic staff member. The student will write a mini-thesis (dissertation) on the results of the research conducted

A range of research projects on plants or algae which are field and/or laboratory based will be available ranging from ecology, ecophysiology, evolution, cell biology, genetics, epigenetics, molecular biology and/or biotechnology. Students embarking on field-based projects should note that projects involving fieldwork can sometimes be initiated during the preceding summer (please consult with the potential project supervisor). During your project you can expect to work and interact extensively with full-time researchers (e.g. PhD students, postdocs) in each of the research teams in the Discipline of Botany and Plant Science.

All final year Botany students are expected to attend the internal BPS research seminar series to improve their training as Botany and Plant Science researchers.

Seminars on each student's research project are presented during the course of the year and a written report/dissertation, in the form of a mini-thesis, is submitted by mid-March.

4th year Botany degree lecture modules

BT415 (Advanced Topics in Algal Research, 6 ECTS) - Semester 1

Lecturer: Dr. Dagmar Stengel

Physiological ecology of marine plants and lichens: Classification schemes and alternative ecological models, reproduction, productivity, responses to underwater light, community structure, physiological responses to environmental factors, introduced species; Introduction to the ecology, distribution and physiology of lichens, with special emphasis on marine lichens.

BT431 (Plant Evolution & Cell Biology, 6 ECTS)  - Semester 1

Lecturer: Dr. Zoe Popper

Plant molecular biology; the genetic code, nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis, the Arabidopsis genome project and its impact, genetically modified organisms, the green revolution and traditional plant breeding, the evolution of wheat.  Plant genetic diversity and seed banking, plasticity, introgression, hybridization and speciation.  Plant biochemistry; plant cell wall structure and function, selected aspects of the plant cell wall in developmental processes.

BT433 (Plant Genetics & Biotechnology for Food and Livelihood Security, 6 ECTS) - Semester 1 & 2 

Lecturer: Prof Charles Spillane

This module provides advanced training in plant genetics, epigenetics and biotechnologies. Fundamental aspects of plant genetics will be covered including nuclear and extranuclear inheritance, epigenetics, plant developmental genetics, plant model organisms, comparative genetics, genomics, polyploidy, reproductive genetics, genetic engineering and mutagenesis techniques, chromosome engineering and synthetic biology. Applied aspects of the module will focus on plant genetics and biotechnology research currently underway to address major challenges facing society, with a particular focus on challenges facing food and nutritionally-insecure developing countries.

BT432 (Current Topics in Plant Scienc e, 6 ECTS) - Semester 1 & 2

Lecturer: Prof. Charles Spillane

This module provides students with training and state-of-the art knowledge on a range of current topics in plant science. Through a combination of lectures, seminar-series, workshops, career & entrepreneurship development training, field and study visits and didactic interaction with visiting researchers and scientists, students will gain exposure to plant science topics of direct relevance to real life issues and applications. This module will involve lectures and presentations from professional plant scientists working in industry, academic, research institutes and givernment organisations from Ireland and internationally. Students will have the opportunity to interact with a range of professional plant scientists.

BT430 (Plant evolution, athmosphere and climate change, 6 ECTs) - Semester 2

Lecturer: Dr. Karen Bacon

This paleobotany course will outline how changes in the Earth’s climate, particularly atmospheric composition can influence Earth’s plant life. The course will take you on a journey from the dawn of early life and the origin of photosynthesis, the impact that the greening of the Earth had on the atmosphere, through ancient global warming events and how plants can be used as a tool to understand past climate change. It will include evidence for long-term environmental change during the course of Earth history and throughout ice ages, from ancient times and within the past 15,000 years (late-glacial and post glacial). Attention is paid to long-term climate change as evidenced from the plant record, ice cores and peat and lake sediments. The effects of the human impact on climate change and ecosystems are considered. The course will further address the potential impacts of future estimated climate change on plant life and how we might better manage our ecosystems to cope in a high CO2 world.

BT424 (Applied Plant Ecology, 6 ECTS) - Semester 2

Lecturer: Dr. Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington

Application of environmental and ecological knowledge to conservation issues. Topics include site designations, both national, e.g. Nature Reserves, National Parks, NHAs, and international, e.g. SACs.; conservation and management of such sites. Rare plants in Ireland in relation to distribution and conservation. Specific habitats under threat are dealt with in detail such as peatlands and sand dunes. Methods for evaluation of sites of conservation value are discussed. Conservation of habitats in Ireland in relation to land-use practices. Environmental schemes such as REPS and Commonage Framework Plans, and specific regions of high conservation value, such as the Burren and Connemara.

Each of these modules is examined separately by written examination - exam duration for each exam is 2-h. Preliminary results of first semester exams are made available in early February. Each of these courses includes an essay component (1 essay) worth 5% of the overall mark. Essays for first semester modules are due in the first semester, while essays for second semester modules are due in the second semester. 

Total marks allocated for written exams: 60% of the overall degree mark, while 40% of the overall degree mark is for the final year research project.

Lectures are typically as follows: Tuesday (10.00-11.00h), Wednesday (10.00-11.30h) and Thursday (10.00-11.30h). However, there may be changes in the above timetable.

Notes: BSc (Hons) Environmental Science Students, who have taken BT316 in Third Year, may choose BT424 and BT430 as part of their Fourth Year degree programme. These modules (taken together) constitute one of two optional courses in the Fourth Year Environmental Science BSc (Hons) programme.  These modules (8 weeks in all) are normally given at the beginning of Semester II (January, February and part of March).

The above modules may be supplemented by occasional additional lectures and research seminars given by visiting scientists and researchers.

4th Year Coordinator: Prof. Charles Spillane is the 4th year Coordinator Queries regarding 4th Year Botany and Plant Science lectures, practicals and tutorials can be directed to the 4th Year Coordinator: Prof. Charles Spillane

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