Biology of microbes that cause plant diseases. The ecology, genetics, physiology, taxonomy, and mechanisms of parasitism, pathogenicity and virulence of bacteria (and other prokaryotes), fungi (and oomycetes), nematodes, and viruses that cause plant diseases. Prepares graduate students for advanced courses in plant pathology, host-parasite interactions, and provides a knowledge base for students in other disciplines involved with plant pathogens or who seek to broaden their knowledge of microbes.

Prerequisite: PP 315, or PP 318, or an introductory course in microbiology

Typically offered in Fall only

The course introduces basic and contemporary systematic principles and methods as applied to vascular plants, with emphasis on flowering plants. It covers classification, identification, phylogenetics, and molecular approaches, and surveys important and common plant families representing major groups of vascular plants.

Prerequisite: PB 200, PB 250, BIO 183, Junior standing

Typically offered in Spring only

This course covers traditional medical systems from a diversity of ancient and modern cultures, with an emphasis on the medicinal plants utilized within these healing traditions. Humans, as well as a number of other species, have utilized plants and other products from nature to treat their physical and spiritual ailments since prehistoric times. In addition to covering medicinal plant species and their known bioactivity, other topics will include traditional diagnostic techniques, complementary healing modalities, beliefs regarding health and illness, treatment and causes of spiritual diseases, food and spices as medicine, and ethical considerations in ethnobotanical research.

Prerequisite: (BIO 181 or PB 200 or PB 250) and (Junior or Senior)

Typically offered in Spring only

Organelles, cells, tissues and organs of flowering plants and selected gymnosperms. Emphasis placed on developmental patterns and structural adaptations for survival. Laboratory focuses on dissection, histochemistry, and imaging of plant cells and tissues. Students cannot reserve credit for both PB 413 and PB 513.

Prerequisite: PB 200 or PB 250 or PB 321 or PB 421

Typically offered in Spring only

This course provides an overview of the methods to characterize the physiology of plants, their genetic composition, and modes for genetic modification. Students will apply core concepts in plant physiology and genetics to real-life biotechnology applications. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills that are essential for professional plant biologists.

Prerequisite: PB 421 and (GN 311 or PB 480)

Typically offered in Spring only

Morphologic, taxonomic, geologic and evolutionary relationships of fossil plants; emphasis on vascular plants; discussions of taphonomy, biogeography and palynology. Requires weekend field trips at student expense. Credit will not be allowed for both BO 445 and BO 545.

Prerequisite: BIO 181 or MEA 102

Typically offered in Spring only

This course introduces students to the principles and methods of plant ecology. Topics include how individual plants extract resources from their environments; population dynamics and plant life histories; species interactions in communities; and global change ecology. The course emphasizes distinctive ways that plant natural history affects their ecology while also illustrating how plants can be ideal systems for studying general ecological problems. Undergraduate students gain hands-on ecological experience by gathering real data through field activities, and all students design independent research proposals.

Prerequisite: AEC/PB 360 or FOR 260

Typically offered in Spring only

Physical and biological mechanisms that govern water uptake, water transport, transpiration, and plant responses to drought; constraints and tradeoffs that limit evolution and artificial selection of drought tolerance; methods for studying water relations. Weekly lecture and paper discussions will draw upon examples from both crop and wild plants.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course provides a taxonomic survey of the rare plants of North Carolina, focusing primarily on federally- and secondarily on state-listed species. Particular attention will be placed on: (1) the identification of rare species, their congeners, and morphologically similar species, (2) the biogeography of rare species, (3) optimum survey windows, and (4) the conservation biology of select taxa. Two Saturday field trips required. Junior level or higher. Students cannot receive credit for both PB 464 and PB 564.

Prerequisite: One of the following: (PB 200, PB220, PB 403, or PB 405)

Typically offered in Fall only

Mechanisms by which plants interact with their environment, with an emphasis on the role of physiological, morphological, and life history traits, and the evolution of these traits.

Prerequisite: PB/BIO 360

Typically offered in Fall only

A survey of the fungal kingdom in context of phyla and classes. Systematics, ecology, biology and utilization. Illustrative material, cultural techniques in laboratories. Collection and paper required.

Prerequisite: BS 125 or BS 181 and 183 or BO 200 or PP 315 or PP 318

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Introduction to gene cloning, plant tissue culture and transformation, and the development of agriculturally important transgenic traits. Critical thinking, case studies, and discussions are used to examine global approaches to the regulation and risks of genetically-modified organisms, plant and gene patents, and the consequences of these factors on food soverienty and trade. Students cannot receive credit for both PB 480 and PB 580.

Prerequisite: BCH 454 or BIT 410 or CS 211 or GN 311 or PB/BIO 414 or PB 421.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course provides an introduction to the field of systems biology with a focus on mathematical modeling, gene regulatory network and metabolic pathway reconstruction in plants. Students will learn how to integrate biological data with mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches to gain new insights into structure and behavior of complex cellular systems. Students are expected to have a minimal background in calculus and basic biology. The course will build on these basic concepts and provide all students, regardless of background or home department, with the fundamental biology, mathematics, and computing knowledge needed to address systems biology problems.

Prerequisite: MA 131 or MA 141

Typically offered in Fall only

The study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in plant biology and related fields.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Directed research in some phase of botany other than a thesis problem, but designed to provide experience and training in research. Credits Arranged.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Discussions and readings on problems of current interest in fields of ecology, anatomy and morphology, taxonomy, plant physiology and cell biology. May be repeated with a change in topic for a maximum of six credits.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Master's student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain half-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all credit hour requirements for their degree but need to maintain full-time continuous registration to complete incomplete grades, projects, final master's exam, etc. Students may register for this course a maximum of one semester.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Thesis Research.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis.

Prerequisite: Master's Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

A practical foundation in plant nomenclature and nomenclatural references. Emphasis on the evolution of international rules for naming plant taxa and their application in both wild and cultivated plants. Nomenclature applications used in patents, cultivar releases and journal articles. Taught mid-semester. Taught five weeks of semester.

Typically offered in Spring only

Advanced course in plant physiology covering plant growth, development, differentiation, senescence and biological control mechanisms.

Prerequisite: PB(ZO) 414 or PB 421, organic chemistry

Typically offered in Spring only

Cellular mechanisms and regulatory features related to plant respiration, photosynthesis, sulfur metabolism, nitrogen fixation and metabolism, and signal transduction. One of two courses covering field of plant physiology.

Prerequisite: PB 421

Typically offered in Fall only

An advanced graduate class involving integrated approaches to complex biological questions at the molecular level, encompassing biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics. The course will focus on an important, current area of research in eukaryotic biology using the primary scientific literature, and will involve class discussions, oral presentations, and a written research proposal.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate years

Introduction to taxonomy, morphology, reproduction and ecological importance of organisms which may be included in the algae. Attention to local freshwater flow and physiology of selected species in relation to algal blooms, water quality and nutrient loading in aquatic habitats.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

Molecular analysis of plant growth and development. Molecular techniques and their application to understanding control of gene expression in plants.

Prerequisite: BCH 451, GN 411

Typically offered in Fall only

The study of special problems and selected topics of current interest in botany and related fields.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Weekly seminars on topics of current interest given by resident faculty members, graduate students and visiting lecturers.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Directed research in some phase of botany other than a thesis problem, but designed to provide experience and training in research. Credits Arranged.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Discussions and readings on problems of current interest in fields of ecology, anatomy and morphology, taxonomy, plant physiology and cell biology. May be repeated with a change in topic for a maximum of six credits.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.

Prerequisite: Doctoral Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For students who are preparing for and taking written and/or oral preliminary exams.

Prerequisite: Doctoral Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Dissertation Research

Prerequisite: Doctoral student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.

Prerequisite: Doctoral Student

Typically offered in Summer only

For students who have completed all credit hours, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.

Prerequisite: Doctoral Student

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer