Duration
12h Th, 10h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in bioengineering | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Organisation and functioning of seed plants considered as integrated organisms.
Production and use of organic matter: photosynthesis, respiration, and resource allocation.
Growth and development: meristems, cell differentiation, tissues, and organ organisation.
Organisation and functioning of the root system: soil exploration, absorption, and rhizosphere interactions.
Stem organisation and long-distance transport: xylem, phloem, support, and secondary growth.
Leaf morphology and anatomy: light interception, gas exchange, and transpiration.
Floral organisation and reproduction: inflorescences, pollination, fertilisation, and reproductive strategies.
Fruits and seeds: formation, organisation, dormancy, and dispersal strategies.
Relationships between plant structures, their functions, and the associated functional trade-offs.
Observation and identification of the main plant structures, tissues, and organs in laboratory practicals.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course unit, students will be able to:
1. Explain how a seed plant acquires the resources required for its functioning and produces organic matter.
2. Describe how cell division, expansion, and differentiation contribute to the formation of plant tissues and organs.
3. Identify and recognise the main plant tissues and organs and relate their organisation to their functions.
4. Explain how the root system explores the soil, interacts with its environment, and acquires water and mineral nutrients.
5. Compare the organisation and functions of xylem and phloem and explain their role in the functional integration of the plant.
6. Relate leaf morphology and anatomy to light interception, gas exchange, and transpiration.
7. Describe and interpret the organisation of flowers and inflorescences in relation to pollination and reproductive strategies.
8. Relate the formation and organisation of fruits and seeds to protection, persistence, and dispersal of offspring.
9. Analyse a plant structure in terms of functional adaptation and identify the trade-offs associated with its organisation.
10. Observe, describe, and interpret plant material at different scales while distinguishing direct observations from functional hypotheses.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures organised around major functional questions linking plant organisation and functioning.
Progressive introduction of concepts across different levels of organisation, from the cell to the whole plant.
Analysis of diagrams, photographs, anatomical sections, and plant material to relate observed structures to biological functions.
Regular use of problem-based situations and reflection questions to promote reasoning rather than isolated memorisation.
Emphasis on the functional trade-offs associated with the different structural solutions developed by plants.
Laboratory practicals based on macroscopic and microscopic observation of plant cells, tissues, and organs.
Identification and comparison of plant structures using a range of biological material.
Exercises in description, identification, and functional interpretation of observed structures.
Explicit links between observations made during practical sessions and concepts developed in lectures.
Use of the course manual as a structured support for preparation, learning, and consolidation of knowledge.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The following resources are made available to students on the course eCampus platform:
- Slides used during lectures.
- Supporting documents and instructions for practical sessions.
- Course manual and teaching materials.
- Additional resources selected by the instructor to consolidate or further explore specific topics.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Further information:
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Further information:
The assessment of the course unit includes two continuous assessments organised during the semester. Their purpose is to support students' progress, monitor the gradual acquisition of knowledge, and identify any learning difficulties.
The summative assessment during the examination session consists of a written examination covering all course content.
The continuous assessments and written examination may include:
- Short-answer or extended-response theoretical questions assessing students' ability to recall and explain fundamental concepts.
- Multiple-choice questions.
- Questions comparing structures, cell types, tissues, organs, biological systems, organisms, or biological strategies.
- Identification, labelling, and interpretation exercises based on projected material, such as histological sections, microscope preparations, and organs.
FIRST EXAMINATION SESSION: Final grade = 10% Continuous Assessment + 10% Practical/Laboratory Work + 60% Theory Examination + 20% Practical Examination
SECOND EXAMINATION SESSION: 10% Practical/Laboratory Work + 70% Theory Examination + 20% Practical Examination*
*The 10% corresponding to the continuous assessment grade will be taken into account for the second examination session if and only if the continuous assessment grade is = 10/20. If the continuous assessment grade is < 10/20, it will not be taken into account when calculating the grade for the August examination session. In that case, the formula presented above will apply.
No exemptions are carried over from one academic year to the next. Students retaking the course unit are required to participate in all learning activities and complete all scheduled assessments under the same conditions as students taking the course unit for the first time.
Work placement(s)
None.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
None.
Contacts
Pr Pierre Delaplace (pierre.delaplace@uliege.be)
Association of one or more MOOCs
There is no MOOC associated with this course.