Nodal Structure of the Plant Biology Department

During a departmental retreat in November 2000, the department considered aligning its faculty along three nodes: 1) Ecology, 2) Systemtatics and Biodiversity, and 3) Molecular and Biochemical Physiology. Although it was quickly recognized that many if not most of the faculty could actually occupy more than one node (based on their research expertise), it was later decided that each faculty member would have primary affinity with just one node. We have found this nodal structure useful while planning future departmental positions as well as in redesigning the undergraduate and graduate curricula. Although nodal division is useful for these purposes, we also wish to emphasize the cohesiveness of our department as exemplified by our Mission Statement:

As a unit in the College of Science at Southern Illinois University, the Department of Plant Biology's mission is to discover, share, and apply knowledge about plants and fungi and their interactions with their environments through: multi- and inter-disciplinary teaching, research, and community and professional service; leadership at community, national, and international levels; and collaboration within and outside the College and University in the following areas: molecular biology, phylogeny and systematics, and environmental and conservation sciences.

The arrangement of faculty according to node is shown in the graphic below.

Goal of the Ecology Node:

To teach, conduct research, and perform service in current and classical ecology.

Objectives of the Ecology Node:

Students should gain an understanding of current and classical theory in:

• The hierarchical nature of ecology including the concepts of the individual, populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes and the biosphere.
• Succession and the dynamics of change.
• Nutrient cycles and energetics.
• Methodology.
• Analytical tools.
• Specific habitats, e.g., wetlands, grasslands, forests.
• The interface with other disciplines in plant biology, i.e., physiology, systematics, and genetics.
• Application of ecological principles.

Goal of the Systematics and Biodiversity Node:

To convey through classroom teaching and publication the results of systematic research, conducted among SIUC scientists and others worldwide, to students, scientific peers and the general public.

Objectives of the Systematics and Biodiversity Node:

Students should gain both theoretical and "hands-on" experiences in a variety of subdisciplines of systematic biology. These include:

• gaining an appreciation of biodiversity both on a local and worldwide scale.
• acquiring an understanding of the major taxonomic groupings of plants including algae, bryophytes, and vascular plants as well as fungi.
• acquiring and understanding of the process of evolution as well as the manifestations of that process.
• gaining "hands-on" experience with various methodologies that are employed by systematists such as molecular biology, morphometric analysis, phylogenetic analysis, construction and use of keys, etc.
• acquiring an understanding of phenomena such as gene flow, speciation, hybridization, polyploidy, microevolutionary change, macroevolutionary change, and basic molecular evolutionary principles.

Goal of the Molecular and Biochemical Physiology (MBP) Node:

To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of plants from the molecular to whole plant level with a particular emphasis upon "hands-on" laboratory experiences.

Objectives of the Molecular and Biochemical Physiology (MBP) Node:

Students educated within the context of the MBP node will gain an understanding of:

• the scientific method and proper experimental design
• interpretation & presentation of data
• the critical evaluation of the scientific literature
• the theory and use of modern equipment

SIUC / College of Science / Plant Biology /
http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/Nodes.html
Last updated: 13-Jan-04 / dln