[MPWG] Plant Conservation Biology Program

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

The information below describes the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plant
Conservation Biology program. Registration information is available on the
web at <http://www.chicago-botanic.org/Education.html>, and new classes
will be posted in the next week or two.  For any questions about the
program design or content, please contact Dr. Wayne Becker, Ph.D.,
Coordinator of Academic Programs at wbecker at chicagobotanic.org or (847)
835-8292.

- - - -

PLANT CONSERVATION BIOLOGY CERTIFICATE OF MERIT PROGRAM
Your interest in plants keeps increasing, but your knowledge of plants is
hard-pressed to keep up. You care deeply about the environment and plant
diversity in particular and want to learn more about preserving both. If
this describes you, then you will be interested in pursuing the Plant
Conservation Biology Certificate.

This program is designed to provide you with a fundamental, comprehensive
learning experience in plant conservation biology. It includes rigorous,
relevant courses in the plant sciences, from biology and ecology to
physiology and genetics, all taught from a plant conservation perspective.
Expert course instructors will help you understand the more theoretical
aspects by utilizing extensive examples from field applications, hands-on
learning activities and laboratory exercises.

The Plant Conservation Biology certificate is offered collaboratively by
the School of the Chicago Botanic Garden and Loyola University of Chicago
(LUC). Courses will be offered at both institutions, though not all courses
may be offered at each institution. Students may choose to take courses
simply for personal enrichment or choose to apply for academic credit.

PROGRAM DESIGN
This program is open to all adult learners seeking challenging coursework
in plant science and conservation biology in particular. You may take just
one course or several, or complete the program to earn the certificate.

If you have a high school diploma or GED, you may enroll in any of the
courses; no previous coursework is required. Some courses, if you choose to
take them for academic credit through Loyola University Chicago, may have
prerequisites.
To earn the certificate, you will need to complete the three required
courses and six credits of electives, obtaining a mark of at least 70
percent for each course. You may select electives to suit your personal
interests and/or academic goals. All elective courses are two credits, with
the exception of Plant Ecology, which is four credits.
Other colleges and universities may also accept Plant Conservation Biology
courses for academic credit. Contact the transfer credit office at the
institution of your choice or your academic advisor.

             For further information about the Plant Conservation Biology
certificate program, please phone Wayne Becker at the Garden, (847)
835-8292, or Bryan Pickett at LUC, (773) 508-3367.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
·            Amateur biologists and plant conservation enthusiasts
·            Natural resources professionals
·            Environmental or biological science teachers
·            Undergraduate students in environmental, biological or plant
science

PROGRAM CONTENT
Required Courses
Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy
Conservation Biology
Plant Biology

Elective Courses
Plant Physiology
Field Botany and Ecology
Plant Conservation Genetics
Plant Reproductive Biology
Plant Ecology

Introduction to Botany and Taxonomy
In this course, you will learn the basics of botany, which is the study of
plants, and plant taxonomy, the classification of plants. Through lectures
and hands-on labs, you will study plant anatomy and learn how that
information is used to identify plants and classify them within the
binomial system of nomenclature. After learning the vegetative and
reproductive parts of plants, you will study how these structures relate to
plant functions such as photosynthesis and reproduction. It is recommended
that you take this course prior to other Certificate Program courses. The
required text is Botany for Gardeners by B. Capon. The School's CEUs=2.4,
Loyola University of Chicago's (LUC) semester hours=2. Separate
registration and fee are required to obtain academic credit through LUC for
this course. ICN Pro CEUs=1.5, ILCA CLT CEUs=24, ISA CEUs=12
Naturalist Certificate Requirement

Raymond Wiggers, Geologist, Botanist and College Lecturer
BOT1001: Lecture, 6 Tues., Jan. 20-Feb. 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Lab (select one section)
BOT1001A: 6 Thurs., Jan. 22-Feb. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
BOT1001B: 6 Sat., Jan. 24-Feb. 28, 9-11 a.m.
Optional Exam, Tues., Mar. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Gateway Annex                 $199/$249

Plant Ecology
Plant Ecology (BIOL) 368 will be held at Loyola University of Chicago. It
focuses on plant population dynamics; plant-animal interactions, including
herbivory, pollination and dispersal; plant community dynamics, such as the
processes of succession; and the effect of global climate on the
distribution of major vegetation types. The laboratory is divided between
weekend field trips to local forests, prairies and bogs and laboratory
studies. Transportation to off-site locations is on your own. LUC semester
hours=4. To register for this course and to obtain information about
prerequisites, call Bryan Pickett at LUC, (773) 508-3367. ISA CEUs=10,
GCSAA CEUs=4.55
Elective Course

Professor Roberta Lammers, Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago

Lecture: Tues. & Thurs., Jan. 6-Apr. 13, 10-11:15 a.m.
Lab: Thurs., Jan. 8-Apr. 8, 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m.
Final exam to be announced
(No class Mar. 2, 4, Apr.15)
Room 834 Damen Hall, Lakeshore Campus, LUC

Field Botany and Ecology
Have you ever wondered why particular oak species grow in some woodlands
but not others?  In this course, you will practice investigative approaches
used by research ecologists to answer questions like this. You will learn
the practical applications of such research through a combination of
lecture, laboratory and field experiences. Topics include surveys and
measurements of plant and soil communities, aquatic systems and the use of
databases. The School's CEUs=2.4
Elective Course

Louise Egerton-Warburton, Ph.D., Conservation Scientist-Community Ecology,
Chicago Botanic Garden
5 Tues., Mar. 16-April 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and 4 Sat., Mar. 20-Apr. 10, 8:30
a.m.-noon
Gateway Annex
PCB1131                  $199/$249


-