BI2PW2: Plant World

Module code: BI2PW2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Julie Hawkins , email: j.a.hawkins@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Jonathan Mitchley, email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to increase students’ appreciation and understanding of the fungi, lichens and land plants (mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants). The aim is to deepen students’ knowledge of this diversity, including how taxonomists identify, classify and name plants and fungi, and how plant and fungal diversity is assessed in the field. Students will study the plant-fungal symbioses that more than 80% of land plants benefit from, to appreciate that whilst all life depends on plants, almost all plants depend on fungi. Students will deepen their understanding of plants habitats and plant ecology, reproductive biology and plant evolution through the use of carefully-chosen examples. Practical skills will be developed in the field and the laboratory, including setting up and analysing microcosm experiments.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Have a good knowledge of plant diversity and morphology
2. Use botanical nomenclature, and have a working knowledge of plant and fungal classification and understand the processes of taxonomy 
3. Develop observational skills, to describe and identify plants, lichens and fungi  
4. Understand the roles of fungi and symbioses in ecosystems 
5. Develop familiarity with field botany and mycology 
6. Demonstrate knowledge of plant habitats and plant ecology, reproductive biology and plant evolution 
7. Set up a microcosm experiment, including inoculating of host plants, and recording and interpreting effects of fungal-plant interactions 

Module content

• Plant taxonomy and diversity 
• Fungi, lichens and plant-fungal relationships  
• Meetings with plants – oak, bracken, mistletoe and vanilla orchid.  
• Plant identification and field botany 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, lab-based practicals, fieldwork.  

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.