Last modified: 29 Jul 2026 16:46
This course provides an advanced exploration of plant physiology, integrating molecular, cellular, whole‑plant, and ecological perspectives to explain how plants function, survive, and adapt in a changing world. You will investigate the fundamental processes that underpin plant life — from photosynthesis and water transport to hormonal regulation and stress physiology — while developing the analytical skills required to interpret primary research and conduct independent scientific inquiry.
The course emphasises the mechanistic understanding of plant processes, the experimental approaches used to study them, and the relevance of plant physiology to global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course is designed for students seeking a deep, research informed understanding of how plants grow, develop, and interact with their environment. The course examines the physical, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms that govern plant function, with a strong focus on critical evaluation of contemporary scientific literature.
Topics will include:
Water relations and transport
Mineral Nutrition & Ion Homeostasis
Photosynthesis
Plant Hormones & Growth Regulation
Abiotic Stress Physiology
Biotic Interactions & Symbioses
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Students should possess a Howie laboratory coat and safety glasses. Further details of requirements can be found on the course's MyAberdeen page. The cost listed here is approximate. | 30.0000 |
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Two 1.5-hour open-book assessments involving problem-solving questions, worth 25% each. Marking and feedback will be automated. Students will be allowed to contact the teaching team for additional informal feedback.
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Apply knowledge to interpret observations and data |
| Procedural | Create | Integrate information from a range of themes from the course |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 31 | Feedback Weeks | 33 | |
| Feedback |
Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and limitations of the investigation |
| Procedural | Analyse | Interpret results in terms of the biology of adaptations |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply knowledge to interpret observations and data |
| Procedural | Understand | Demonstrate a capacity to record observations |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 31 | Feedback Weeks | 32 | |
| Feedback |
Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark. Feedback will be provided as oral and written comments. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and limitations of the investigation |
| Procedural | Create | Create a persuasive presentation on a chosen topic |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Apply knowledge to present information and data |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Apply | Apply knowledge to interpret observations and data |
| Procedural | Analyse | Interpret results in terms of the biology of adaptations |
| Procedural | Create | Integrate information from a range of themes from the course |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Demonstrate an awareness of the strengths and limitations of the investigation |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Apply knowledge to present information and data |
| Procedural | Create | Create a persuasive presentation on a chosen topic |
| Procedural | Understand | Demonstrate a capacity to record observations |
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