Ohio University
Graduate Catalog

Environmental and Plant Biology

Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degree programs are offered in the following areas of specialization: biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, ethnobotany, evolution, molecular biology, plant morphology, mycology, paleobotany, plant physiology, and plant systematics. The department also participates in the interdisciplinary M.S. and Ph.D. programs in molecular and cellular biology and the M.S. program in environmental studies .

To begin graduate study, you must have at least 24 quarter hours (or equivalent) of botany and/or related biological sciences. You also must have completed genetics, organic chemistry, and quantitative skills (i.e., calculus, statistics, or computer science). You may eliminate deficiencies in undergraduate preparation during the course of graduate study. Scores from both the aptitude and biology advanced tests of the Graduate Record Examination are required. Foreign applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as an evaluation of English proficiency.

For Ph.D. students, an advisory committee will determine the program of study, including coursework, foreign language, and quantitative skills (e.g., calculus, statistics, computer science). All graduate students are required to teach a minimum of two quarters during their tenure in the department. A research thesis (M.S.) or dissertation (Ph.D.) resulting from original research is required. A nonthesis terminal M.S. degree is also an option.

Applications for admission to graduate study in environmental and plant biology are accepted during all quarters. Applications for financial aid for the following academic year should be received by February 15.

Faculty

Environmental and Plant Biology (PBIO) Courses

508 Vascular Plant Morphology (6)
Comparative morphology, anatomy, and life histories of vascular plants. 3 lec, 6 lab.
Cantino, Rothwell; W; Y.

510 Biology of Fungi (5)
Life histories and characteristics unique to fungi. Collection and identification of mushrooms, plant pathogens, and slime molds. Biotrophic, saprotrophic, and necrotrophic relationships of fungi with plants. Field and laboratory. 3 lec, 2 hr lab.
Cavender; F; Y.

511 Integrative Tropical Plant Biology (4)
Field course of tropical plants in Belize/Guatemala important in sustainable food, fiber, and medicine production and ecosystem stability. 2 lec, 6 lab.
Cavender; W; Y.

512 Plant Anatomy (5)
Structure, development, and systematic anatomy of vascular plants. 3 lec, 4 lab.
Rothwell; F; Y.

515 Quantitative Methods in Plant Biology (5)
Prereq: introductory statistics. Lecture: biostatistics and applications in the plant sciences; scientific method, hypothesis testing, and design of experiments; sampling, data analysis, regression and correlation, analysis of variance, parametric and nonparametric statistics. Lab: microcomputer applications in spreadsheet analysis, statistics, and graphics. 3 lec, 4 lab.
McCarthy; W; Y.

524 Plant Physiology (5)
Prereq: organic chemistry. Critical examination of experimental basis of plant physiology. Topics include water relations; uptake and transport of ions and nonionic compounds; plant growth regulators and their roles in growth and development; and carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur metabolism in plants.
Smith; W; Y.

525 Plant Ecology (5)
Environmental and biotic effects on species growth and distribution; review of recent ecological literature. 3 lec, 4 lab, 1 Saturday field trip.
McCarthy, Ungar; F; Y.

526 Physiological Plant Ecology (5)
The effects of biotic and abiotic environmental factors on the physiological responses of plants.
Ungar; Sp; Y.

527 Molecular Genetics (3)
Fine structure of gene, biochemistry of gene action, genetic regulation. 3 lec.
Showalter; Sp; A.

531 Cell Biology (5)
Biochemical, cytochemical, and ultrastructural aspects of the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles, mitosis, meiosis, and cellular differentiation.
Braselton, Mitchell; F; Y.

550 Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (4)
Introduction to basic molecular biological concepts and techniques in biotechnology and genetic engineering, including discussion of current experimentation and progress in these fields.
Showalter; Sp; A.

553 Developmental Physiology (4)
Growth and developmental phenomena with emphasis on flowering plants. Topics include cell growth and differentiation in developing meristems, tissue and organ development and culture, dormancy and germination, flower induction, seed formation, hormones, senescence, plant movements, phytochrome.
Mitchell; Sp; A.

560 Paleobotany (6)
Morphology, evolution, and stratigraphic position of representative fossil plant groups. Field trips.
Rothwell; Sp; D.

650 Instrumentation and Techniques (5-10)
Instruments and techniques used in solution of contemporary biological research problems. Theoretical and practical aspects included. 5 lec.
Staff; F; D.

654 Phycology (5)
Classification, nomenclature, relationships, morphology, reproduction, life histories, and economic importance of freshwater and marine algae. 3 lec, 4 lab.
Staff; D.

695 Thesis (1-15)
Formal presentation of results of research as partial fulfillment of requirements for M.S. degree. Hours not counted toward degree.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.

754 Experimental Ecology (5)
Prereq: 525 or 526. Theory and methods involved in studying natural plant communities. 3 lec, 4 lab.
Ungar; W; D.

757 Plant Speciation (5)
Theories and principles of evolution and speciation in plants, emphasizing microevolution, breeding systems, cytology, species concepts, and species complexes. 2 lec, 6 lab.
Staff; Sp; A.

758 Plant Systematics (6) Principles and methods of systematics; angiosperm taxonomy; processes and patterns of vascular plant evolution. Emphasis in lab on angiosperm floral morphology, pollination mechanisms, and family characteristics. 3 lec, 6 lab, Saturday field trips.

Cantino; Sp; A.

770 Botanical Pedagogy (1-2)
Preparation for botanical teaching in colleges and universities.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.

780 Topics in Botany (2-6)
Advanced discussion courses offered when there is sufficient student interest in a significant current topic. Previous topics have included histochemical methods, current problems in biochemistry, plant anatomy, pteridology, and soil microbiology.
Staff; D.

782 Topics in Organismal Botany (2-6)
Advanced discussion courses offered when there is sufficient student interest in a significant current topic. Topics covered in the past include aquatic phycomycetes, cellular slime molds, and pteridology.
Staff; D.

784 Topics in Cell Biology (2-5)
Advanced discussion courses offered when there is sufficient student interest in a current topic. Topics covered in the past include electron microscopy of plant material and relevant methodologies.
Staff; D.

786 Topics in Ecology and Evolutionary Botany (2-6)
Advanced discussion courses offered when there is sufficient student interest in a significant current topic. Topics may include adaptation, population biology, stress tolerance, and pollination.
Staff; D.

790 Colloquium (1)
Discussions of current research by visiting scientists, faculty members, and graduate students.
Staff; F, W, Sp; Y.

791 Seminar (2)
Graduate students present seminars on topics of current botanical interest.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.

795 Graduate Research (1-15)
Original research in field of major interest under supervision of major advisor. Results and conclusions resulting from research may be presented in M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation as partial fulfillment for respective degrees.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.

895 Dissertation (1-15)
Scholarly account of original research in major area of interest as partial fulfillment of requirements for Ph.D. degree.
Staff; F, W, Sp, Su; Y.

Return to 1995-1997 Graduate Catalog Table of Contents

University Publications and the Computer Services Center revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/95-97/areas/envbiol.html ) April 13, 1998.

Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.cats.ohiou.edu ."