BIOL 5220

Plant Cell Biology

Lec 01 selected

This course covers the structure, function, and dynamic properties of plant cellular components including constituent organalles, cytoskelton, and the cell wall. Areas of significant current research such as programmed cell death, cell signaling and cellular trafficking are considered in depth. The course consists of lectures, student seminars and report writing.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2026 syllabus by Arunika Gunawardena. Open the PDF

Grading

30%Mid-term examIn class; Oct 19
15%Quizzes (2)Sep 23 and Nov 2, tentatively
25%SeminarPresentations Nov 16–Dec 7
10%Attendance and participationClass discussions
20%Final examIn class; Dec 9

Textbooks

  • Biology of Plants, Raven, Evert and Eichhorn (optional)
  • Introduction to Botany, Murray Nabors (optional)
  • Plant programmed cell death, Edited by Arunika Gunawardena and Paul McCabe (optional)

Course rules

Attendance
Class participation and at least 90% attendance are required to pass.
Missed requirements
Notify the professor in writing before the deadline and submit a Student Declaration of Absence form.
Absence forms
No more than two separate Student Declaration of Absence forms may be used.
Missed quiz
A valid absence allows a make-up quiz; if that is also missed, its points move to the final exam.
Late seminar
Presentation files submitted after 6 pm on Nov 14 lose 5% per day.
Seminar attendance
Attendance at student presentations is mandatory.
Missed exam
One make-up exam is scheduled for students who miss an exam for a valid reason.
Seminar work
Students may not work together on presentations, and generative AI may not be used to prepare them.
Class format
Lectures are in person, are not recorded, and class attendance is mandatory.

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