Taxonomy and phylogeny of chlorophyll lines

Duration

25h Th, 15h Pr, 3d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Nicolas Magain

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

On earth, there is a great diversity of organisms doing photosynthesis, using solar energy to produce their energy. The aim of this course is to give the student an idea of ¿¿the diversity of these organisms, of the relationships (or not) between them, and of the major events and innovations that have led to today's diversity.
This course consists mainly of two parts
1. The evolution of the green lineage (kingdom of plants), and the evolutionary history and innovations that led to the current diversity of red and green algae, bryophytes, ferns, lycophytes, seed and flowering plants etc. We will also focus on particular lifestyles such as parasitic or carnivorous plants.
2. The diversity of photosynthetic organisms that are not part of the green line (brown algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, euglenes, etc.) as well as their close non-photosynthetic relatives). The key concept of endosymbiosis will be discussed, to understand this great diversity within the tree of life.
A lesson will also be devoted to fungi, and their relationship to photosynthetic organisms.
The goal is for the student to get a concrete idea of ¿¿the diversity of photosynthetic organisms and their relationships.
In addition to the theoretical aspects, we will browse scientific articles as case studies, to see how evolutionary biology research is done today, and what the latest recent advances are.
The diversity of organisms will be illustrated through various media, including internet and video.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

-Get an idea of the diversity of photosynthetic organisms on earth, of the kinship relationships between them, and of the main features that characterize the different groups.
-Visualize the path of events that led to this current diversity
-Realize that the evolution is not linear and directional, and the amount of convergence, horizontal transfers etc. that have led to today's diversity
- Being able to walk in nature anywhere on earth and relate the different organisms encountered to their taxonomical group

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of biology and botany is an asset
Basic knowledge in evolutionary biology, in particular via the course "Introduction to evolutionary biology" of block 3 of bachelor
 
 
This course is complementary to "Perfectionnement naturaliste" which will allow us to see the organisms in the field

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Classical course with richly illustrated slide shows, and various media (video, internet).

When possible, meeting with doctoral students or early-career scientists  working on the aspects seen in the course, to get a concrete idea of the work of a scientist working on these themes.

Practical work sessions consisting of the identification of angiosperm specimens collected in the field during the internship in the Cévennes, and use of these identifications for biodiversity analyzes

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Depending on sanitary conditions, the course will take place face-to-face, remotely or in hybrid. We favor face-to-face.
Practical work sessions during the internship are compulsory.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

See French text

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

The assessment is divided into two parts
 

(1) a written exam on the themes seen during the course
(2) an identification practical exam
The ration is 80% for the written exam and 20% for the practical exam.

Work placement(s)

During the internship in the Cévennes, part of the internship will be devoted to the course. Students will collect flowering plants in the field. They will then identify them using flora and software. 

Organizational remarks

Practical work for this class is organized during the field course in Cévennes (France). This field course involves three courses: "Biogéographie", "Taxonomie et phylogénie des lignées chlorophyliennes" and "Perfectionnement naturaliste". It is strongly advised that students take all three courses the same year.
Going from Liège to Cévennes is organized in minivans driven by instructors (in the limit of available seats). A carpooling option may be organized in years where there are more students than usual.

Contacts

Nicolas Magain nicolas.magain@uliege.be

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