Plant Biological
Sciences (PBS) Course Guide
PBIO 8081 Integrative
Plant Biology - Connecting Molecules to Ecosytems
(A-F
only, unless otherwise noted) 3 credits
This course is required for students in the Plant Biological
Sciences graduate program. The course is designed to expose
students to fundamental areas of plant and fungal biology. During
the semester, each of three instructors will introduce a specific
research topic, with topics ranging from the molecular level to
the ecosystem level of biological organization. The primary
literature will be used to illustrate the integration of different
experimental approaches for addressing key questions. Examples
of the research areas to be covered during the semester include: 1)
population genetics and molecular evolution, 2) plant and fungal
development, 3) systematics and biodiversity, 4) genomics and bioinformatics,
5) regulation of gene expression, 6) biochemical and cellular processes,
7) physiological processes, 8) ecophysiology and community function. Specific
topics to be covered each year will vary depending on the teaching
staff; a course director wil meet with instructors to better coordinate
and integrate course content. Students will gain an understanding
of the diverse approaches being used to address fundamental questions
in plant and fungal biology. In addition, students will
have the opportunity to practice critical reading and evaluation
of the primary literature. They will have opportunities
to develop critical analysis and presentation skills through activities
such as written summaries of the literature and oral presentations.
The format of this course is similar to that of PBS 8081, with
five to six PBS faculty presenting lectures and leading discussions
of research, articles in their areas of expertise. Students
are expected to read assigned papers and participate in the discussions.
PBS 8123 Research Ethics in the Plant
and Environmental Sciences
(S-N only, unless otherwise noted; prerequisite graduate
student in (Applied Plant sciences, Plant Pathology, Plant Biological
Sciences and Soil Science) .50 credit
Class consists of two 4-hour sessions usually 2 days before spring
semester starts. History/values relating to research/scholarship. Social
responsibility/reporting misconduct. Authorship and plagiarism. Peer
review. Copyright/intellectual property. Conflict
of interest. Research data management. Fiscal responsibility/management. Environmental
health/safety. Research involving humans/animals. Mentorship
presentations by faculty and invited speakers.
PBS 8333 FTE: Master's (one credit status)
(No Grade Associated, unless otherwise noted; prereq Master's student,
adviser and DGS consent; form approved by graduate school)
PBS 8444 FTE: Doctoral (one credit status)(No
Grade Associated, unless otherwise noted; prereq Doctoral student,
adviser and DGS' consent, form approved by PBS program office)
PBS 8666 Doctoral Pre-Thesis Credits (max
credits 60; 4 repeats allowed; No Grade Associated, unless otherwise
noted; max 14 credits per semester; doctoral student who has not
passed prelim oral)
PBS 8777 Thesis Credits: Master's (max
credits 50; 10 repeats allowed; No Grade Associated, unless otherwise
noted; max 14 credits per semester; 10 cr total required
[Plan A only])
PBS 8888 Thesis Credit: Doctoral
(max credits 100; 10 repeats allowed; No Grade Associated, unless otherwise
noted; max 14 credits per semester; 24 credits required)
PBS 8900 Seminar
Section 001 Colloquium every Tuesday at 3:30. Seminar on research
in all areas of plant biological sciences presented by leading scientists.
Meets with: PBIO 5960 section 001
Section 003 Graduate Student Seminar Course -
offered Fall semester, 1 credit (S/N)
One credit per semester - must be taken at least two and no more than four
semesters for credit. Students in their 3 rd year present their thesis
proposals in this seminar. New students take seminar to listen to other
students' research proposals.
The goals are to 1) foster interaction among students; 2) expose students to
the breadth of research in plant biology; and 3) provide graduate students
experience in effectively presenting scientific information in a seminar format.
The course instructors will provide written evaluations of the
seminar and meet with the
presenting student to discuss the evaluations. Students scheduled to present
a seminar will introduce the speaker that precedes them.
Seminar Publicity - Seminar announcements will be emailed by the
PBS coordinator to all PBS faculty and students, allied departments,
department and collegiate newsletters and will be posted on the
PBS website.
PBS 8901 Thesis
Writing Proposal Course - offered fall semester; 1 credit
(S/N)
PhD students in their 3rd semester take this course to learn how to write a
thesis research proposal. During the writing process, students receive
feedback from both peers and from faculty reviewers.
PBS 8910 Journal Club (max credits
4; 4 repeats allowed; S-N only, unless otherwise noted)Students
will present a summary of a research paper of their choice on a
current topic in the general areas of plant genetics, physiology,
or molecular biology. Postdocs and faculty will also make
similar presentations. The goal is to meet and discuss current
literature in an informal setting.
PBS 8993 Directed Studies; A-F or S/N
grade basis; 1-5 credits; contract and permission number are required.
PBS 8994 Directed Research; A-F or S/N
grade basis; 1-5 credits. Independent research determined
by student's interests, in consultation with faculty mentor. Contract
and permission number are rquired.
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