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This module introduces students to the structure, function, and diversity of plants across the Earth through a combination of lectures, practicals/field trips and workshops. Students will explore the structural and functional adaptations that enable plants to grow, reproduce and thrive in diverse environments. Inheritance genetics will be covered through the study of mono and dihybrid crosses. The module also examines the ecological significance of plants as primary producers, focusing on energy transfer through food chains and the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Finally, students will study ecological succession across different habitats and gain an appreciation for the diversity and importance of global biomes.

The module aims to provide students with a sound understanding of plant structure, function, and diversity, and to appreciate the role of the physiological and ecological processes that underpin plant life. It also seeks to develop students’ ability to understand energy flow and nutrient cycling with the terrestrial environment, and recognise the role of plants in shaping ecosystems and global biomes. It will provide them with the required level of knowledge to be able to progress into the first year of a number of different DoLS degree schemes.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to plant biology and ecology, beginning with the fundamentals of photosynthesis and the evolution of plants. Students will explore the diversity of plant groups, including mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, and examine their structural adaptations, with particular focus on stems (internal transport xylem and phloem), roots and leaves. The module covers key physiological processes, including growth, sensitivity, and hormonal regulation, to understand how plants respond and adapt to their environment. The mechanisms of inheritance will be explored through the study of monohyrid and dihybrid corsses, providing a foundation in Mendelian genetics. Building on this foundation, students will investigate the different types of ecological interactions, population dynamics, primary productivity, food webs, and energy flow, as well as the cycling of essential elements through the carbon and nitrogen cycles. Finally, the module considers large-scale ecological processes, including succession and global biomes, providing a framework for understanding the ecological significance and functional diversity of plants in ecosystems.