Plant Biology Courses | 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog | SIU

This course is an introduction to the differentiation, diversification and structure of plant tissues, organs and external forms, with emphasis on seed plants. Laboratory will include instruction in basic techniques of microscopy used in the study of plant structure. Two lectures and two laboratories per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 213 or PLB 200 with grades of C- or better. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 4

This course will be an introduction to the curation of biological collections and strongly involve experiential learning through participatory activities with collections. This will involve an overview of museums, collection procedures, and the long-term features of high quality curation of specimens and will examine how a broad range of organisms is curated. Lab/Field trip fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 2

This course covers the principles of plant classification including history, nomenclature, specimen collection and preservation, current systematic methodologies, and a survey of major plant families. Two lectures and four hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: BIOL 213 or PLB 200 with grades of C- or better. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 4

(Same as ZOOL 415) Lakes and inland waters; the organisms living in them, and the factors affecting these organisms. Two lectures and one 4-hour laboratory alternate weeks. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 with a grade of C- or better. Laboratory/Field Trip fee: $15.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as PSAS 419, CSEM 419) A survey of molecular phenomena unique to plant systems. Topics will include: genome organization and synteny between plant genomes, transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of gene expression, signal transduction, epigenetics, plant-pathogen interactions and responses to biotic- and abiotic-stresses. Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or CSEM 305. Restricted to junior standing.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced topics in plant physiology. Abiotic factors such as light, water, temperature, and nutrients, as well as emerging man-made pollutants such as nanoparticle contamination. Biotic factors such as plant-microbe signaling and the rhizosphere microbiome, plant-plant signaling, and competition for resources. These topics are covered at molecular and organismal levels, as well as the physiological ecology of these processes on a larger scale. This course offers a perspective of how these processes work in nature, as well as how they are or might be manipulated for crop or agriculture practice improvement. Undergraduate Prerequisite: PLB 320 or PSAS 409. Lab fee: $35.

Credit Hours: 5

(Same as CSEM 427 and PSAS 427) Exploration of fundamental biochemical pathways in plants with an emphasis upon carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Prerequisite: PLB 320 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $35.

Credit Hours: 5

(Same as AGSE 433, ANS 433, CSEM 433, HORT 433, PSAS 433) This course will cover the basic principles of plant and animal biotechnology using current examples; gene mapping in breeding, transgenic approaches to improve crop plants and transgenic approaches to improve animals will be considered. Technology transfer from laboratory to marketplace will be considered. An understanding of gene mapping, cloning, transfer, and expression will be derived.

Credit Hours: 3-7

(Same as ZOOL 435) This course will be an evolutionary and ecological examination of the interactions between plants and pollinators. Topics include pollination syndromes, plant breeding systems, pollinator foraging, learning, and behavior, specialized vs. generalized relationships, coevolution/cospeciation, chemical ecology, honey beekeeping & agricultural pollination, and conservation implications of pollinator relationships. Labs will provide hands-on experience in methods of investigating plant breeding systems, plant reproductive ecology, pollinator behavior and efficacy, pollen analysis, floral scent chemistry, and floral phenology. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 (General Ecology) with a grade of C- or better or equivalent. For graduate students and senior undergraduates. Lab fee: $75.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as AGSE 438, CSEM 438, PSAS 438, ZOOL 438) Arabidopsis and Drosophila model organisms, lab-based training in laboratory safety, reagent preparation, phenotype analysis, genetics, DNA and RNA analysis, PCR, cDNA construction, cloning and sequencing of genes. Includes plant and bacterial transformation, and a population level analysis of genetic variation using RAPD markers in grasses and Alu insertion in humans. Two 2-hr labs and one 1-hr lecture per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $30.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines grassland structure and function in relation to various biotic and abiotic factors. Field trips will visit local grasslands. Two lectures and one 4-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ZOOL 444) Includes concepts and methods pertaining to the analysis of ecological data. Approaches will include a variety of methods for analyzing multivariate ecology, diversity, pattern, and spatial data. Laboratory will include the computer application of these concepts and methods to field situations. Two lectures and one 4 hour lab per week. Prerequisite: PLB/ZOOL 360, BIOL 307. Lab fee: $15.

Credit Hours: 4

Exposure to the major upland and lowland communities of southern Illinois with an emphasis on the identification, distribution and ecology of the natural and introduced floristic components. This is a field-based course wherein the students travel to local areas for plant identification. Each week, 4-8 hours per weekly session is spent in field work and travel to specific field sites is required via a university vehicle. Prerequisite: PLB 408 with a grade of C- or better or consent of instructor. Field Trip fee not to exceed $160.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers principles and research techniques of plant population ecology including the spatial, age, size and genetic structures of plant populations. The origin of these different aspects of population structure, their influences upon each other and their temporal dynamics are also examined. Two lectures and one 4-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $35.

Credit Hours: 4

(Same as ZOOL 472) The bioinformatic analysis of large genomic and post-genomic data sets. Integration of gene regulation, protein interaction, metabolite and hormonal signaling provides an understanding of basic cellular circuitry networks. Examine redundancy, robustness and decision making in biological systems. Lab includes databases, tools, and manipulation of large data sets. Prerequisite: BIOL 305 or CS 330. Lab fee: $15.

Credit Hours: 3

Cell structure at molecular and cytological levels. Includes discussions of research methods, plasma membrane, cell exterior and recognition, the endomembrane system and related organelles, self-replicating organelles, the cytoskeleton, nuclear structure and function in cell replication, cell differentiation and response, and eukaryotic cell evolution. Prerequisite: BIOL 306 or equivalent.

Credit Hours: 3

Laboratory course to accompany Plant Biology 475. Light and electron microscopy, cell culturing, biochemical methods, and experimental protocols are used to study the structure of cell membranes, intracellular organelles, including the Golgi apparatus, ER, mitochondria, plastids, lysosomes, the cytoskeleton, and nucleus. Prerequisite: PLB 475 or concurrent enrollment.

Credit Hours: 2

(Same as ZOOL 490) This course places conservation of particular species into the context of community and ecosystem management. Approaches to quantifying energy needs of individual species will be extended to models of trophic networks among multiple species. Food web structure and function, species interactions, and resilience to species loss species invasions, and environmental changes will be examined in light of landscape processes. Prerequisite: BIOL 307 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Individual research problems available to qualified juniors and seniors. Special approval needed from the department chair.

Credit Hours: 2-6

Individual laboratory or field research under supervised direction. Does not count for thesis (PLB 599) or dissertation (PLB 600) credit. Special approval needed from the departmental chair.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Individual laboratory or field research under supervised direction. Does not count for thesis (PLB 599) or dissertation (PLB 600) credit. Special approval needed from the departmental chair.

Credit Hours: 1-4

Individual laboratory or field research under supervised direction. Does not count for thesis (PLB 599) or dissertation (PLB 600) credit. Special approval needed from the departmental chair.

Credit Hours: 1-4

(See SCI 501A)

Credit Hours: 2

(See SCI 501B)

Credit Hours: 2

(See SCI 502A)

Credit Hours: 2

(See SCI 502B)

Credit Hours: 2

(Same as PSAS 520) Physiological control of developmental processes. Emphasis on exogenous growth-regulating compounds and their behavior in plants. Prerequisite: PLB 320 or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as PSAS 524) An examination of the integration of genes into networks including developmental, abiotic stress response, metabolic and photoreceptor gene regulatory networks. Includes motif discovery, cis-regulatory elements, discussion of transcription factor families, RNA interference, network theory, feedback loops, cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal effect, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation. Includes 2 lectures and a 2 hr computational bioinformatics lab per week. Prerequisite: PLB 471 or permission of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project. (a) Quantitative Cytology. (b) Immuno-Labelling and Qualitative Histochemistry. (c) Deep Etching Techniques in Electron Microscopy. (d) Cell Fractionation and Biochemical Techniques. Course fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 2-4

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project.

Credit Hours: 2-4

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project.

Credit Hours: 2-4

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project.

Credit Hours: 2-4

A special techniques course designed for graduate students specializing in cell studies. Provides instrumentation training, with emphasis on application of the method to a research project.

Credit Hours: 2-4

This graduate level course focuses on our contemporary understanding of the impacts of expanding urban and agricultural environments, climate change, and other major components of the Anthropocene on the evolution of wild populations. It is more critical than ever for scientists to examine how anthropogenic factors impact natural populations. This is a conceptually broad course which covers topics ranging from landscape genetics, ecological genetics, evolutionary ecology, and phylogenetics.

Credit Hours: 3

Credit for field courses taken under the jurisdiction of the Organization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica. Courses and credits will vary. Prerequisite: approval of OTS Advisory Committee at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Credit Hours: 3-8

(Same as ANTH 554) Advanced topics in evolutionary biology including genetics & development, evolutionary ecology, phylogeny, paleontology, biogeography, population genetics, molecular ecology, speciation, molecular evolution, and macroevolution. Topics will vary each semester. Seminar format group discussions and student presentations. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1

(Same as ANTH 556, MBBS 556, ZOOL 556) An advanced introduction to modern methods of phylogenetic inference, emphasizing both theoretical background concepts and numerical approaches to data analysis. Topics include properties of morphological and molecular characters, models of character evolution, tree estimation procedures, and tree-based testing of evolutionary hypothesis. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ZOOL 557) Basic biostatistical procedures used by researchers in life sciences and related fields. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability and distributions, statistical models, likelihood methods, experimental design, analysis of variance, regression, correlation, and the use of statistical software.

Credit Hours: 4

(Same as ZOOL 558) Advanced biostatistical procedures used by researchers in life sciences and related fields. Topics include multiple and logistic regression, randomization tests, jackknife and bootstrap. Mantel tests, BACI designs, MANOVA, repeated measures analysis, and the use of statistical software. Prerequisite: PLB 557 or equivalent, ZOOL 557.

Credit Hours: 4

A course of individually assigned readings in botanical literature. Every semester. Special approval needed from the instructor. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 2-3

(Same as PSAS 571) Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics are rapidly making important contributions to the Life Science through biotechnology. An appreciation of the genomic tools is important to all in agriculture and biology. The relationships between molecular biology bioinformatics and the biotechnology industry will be explored. Short independent practical projects in genomics, proteomics or bioinformatics will be pursued.

Credit Hours: 4

(Same as ZOOL 578) Genetic structure of populations, factors causing changes and principles governing rate and direction of change. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: BIOL 304 and BIOL 305.

Credit Hours: 3

Student presentations and critiques of original research, including presentations by occasional invited speakers. Graded S/U only. Required of all graduate students in residence, when offered.

Credit Hours: 1-6

(Same as ZOOL 576) Discussions of current and historical research and literature in various subject areas of plant biology. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 1

Discussions of current and historical research and literature in various subject areas of plant biology. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 1

Discussions of current and historical research and literature in various subject areas of plant biology. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 1

General introduction to research and graduate program policies. Guest presentations by department faculty. Fall only. Graded S/U only. Required of all graduate students during their first year in residence, when offered.

Credit Hours: 1

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Assignments involving research and individual problems. Master's students may use this for their research for their thesis. Summer only. Graded S/U. Special approval needed from the instructor and the department.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Course to be taken in the preparation of the Master's thesis. Every semester. Special approval needed from the instructor. Graded S/U only.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Course to be taken in the research for and in writing of the doctoral dissertation. Every semester. Graded S/U only. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-12

For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

Credit Hours: 1

Must be a Postdoctoral Fellow. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted.

Credit Hours: 1